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Real stone is exactly what it sounds like: It’s real stone sourced from the earth without additives. It is durable and unique, but it’s difficult to work with because of its weight, challenge in sourcing, and high cost. Stone veneer mimics the look of real stone but is actually engineered with a mixture of Portland cement, natural minerals, and a colorant. While it’s more affordable and easier to work with, it’s less durable and may appear manufactured to the trained eye.

Cobblestone is not a type of rock but a term for a mosaic or rock laid down as a surface. It used to be made from the closest available stone but now can be made from nearly any hard rock, as machining has made shaping the stone much easier and cheaper.

There are many things to look for when buying a brick house. Here are some of the key things you should pay close attention to.

• Lintels: Look for cracks, holes, displacement, or corrosion

• Mortar: Check to see if the mortar is old and crumbling, in need of repointing, or new. Also check to see if the mortar has a professional finish.

• Walls: Check along each side of the house. If a wall is bowing outward, this indicates a severe issue such as foundation damage or that the walls are ready to fall.

• Cracks: If there are stair step cracks in the brickwork, this indicates an unstable foundation.

Europe is a continent made of many individual countries with a history of city life. In these cities, dirt roads were unsanitary and often shifted. The Ancient Romans started laying cobblestone streets in the 3rd century, which became an iconic feature of European cities. The durable and practical paving material proved to be extremely weather-resistant.