Stone siding is perhaps the oldest siding material used in residential construction. Found on many older homes, it is still used today on mostly small portions of the exterior to add to the cosmetic appeal of other building materials. Primarily only older homes have complete stone siding installations. Stone work must be inspected carefully for settlement and water penetration. The joints, made of cement mortar, wear over time and must be pointed or repaired to prevent such occurrences. On newer veneer installations the stones are attached to the building with metal ties that keep the walls vertical and secure. There are many varieties of stones used for siding. Stone siding is expensive to install and almost always requires the work of a skilled craftsman to repair if required.