Top 15 Types of Stone Used in Construction

Stone has been a part of construction for centuries. They are strong and add beauty and strength to the structure. The modern building construction industry now has a wide range of stones that are chosen according to their durability, natural beauty, and versatility. Choosing the right stones like granite, marble, or travertine as building material depends on the construction requirement, structure design, appearance, and weather resistance. Here are the top 15 types of building stone used in construction, explained.

Popular Types Of Stone Used in Construction

Though there are several stone types used in construction and masonry work, here are our picks for the most commonly used stone as a construction material.

1. Granite

Granite is a stone with strength that is formed from cooled magma. Its formation makes it the hardest and most durable natural stone. You can find a wide range of colors from black, pink, red, to gray. It usually has a granular texture. Granite Countertop is the best stone when it comes to high weather resistance, scratch resistance, and weight-resistant. This is one of the strongest types of stone used in construction. It is also used in building commercial and residential structures and for decorative purposes. It’s popularly used in foundations, flooring, paving, kitchen countertops, bridges, and monuments.

Pros Of Granite:

• It is extremely durable and strong
• High resistance to scratches and wear
• Weather and water-resistant
• Available in many colors and finishes
• Low maintenance

Cons Of Granite:

• Heavy stone that requires professional installation
• Higher cost compared to other stones
• Requires skilled labor for cutting and polishing

2. Marble

It is one of those types of stone used in construction that screams luxury with its appearance. It is a metamorphic rock that is extracted from limestone. It forms under intense heat and pressure. Marble is popular for its luxurious look, unique veining patterns, and polishability. It is widely available in black, green, pink, black and white tones. Marble has a softer surface than granite, but under the right situations, it creates a striking look. Marble pavers are widely used for building luxurious flooring, wall cladding, decorative columns, staircases, and sculptures.

Pros Of Marble:

• It has an elegant and ageless appearance
• Can be polished to a high shine
• It is available in various colors and patterns
• Adds property value

Cons Of Marble:

• Prone to staining and scratching
• Requires frequent maintenance and sealing
• Marble is expensive compared to other stones
• Slippery when polished

3. Limestone

It is a sedimentary rock that is formed by calcium carbonate. Limestone is generally soft, easy to cut, and comes in a wide range of colors. Common limestone color pellets include white and gray to tan and yellow. It weathers into unique textures, making it popular for construction and decorative work. Limestone pavers are used in the construction of blocks, flooring, facades, cement manufacturing, and landscaping.

Pros Of Limestone:

• It is easy to cut and shape
• Budger-friendly compared to marble and granite
• Attractive natural look
• Good for both modern and rustic designs

Cons Of Limestone:

• It has Low resistance to acids and chemicals
• Limestone is softer than granite, prone to scratches
• Requires sealing for long-term use

4. Sandstone

It is a sedimentary rock that is formed from compacted sand grains. Sandstone has a grainy surface that is surprisingly durable. It is available in earthy colors like brown, yellow, and red. The natural textured surface offers slip resistance and longevity when properly sealed with a penetrative sealer. Sandstone pavers are widely used in paving, wall cladding, pillars, garden walkway features, and flooring.

Pros Of Sandstone:

• It has excellent slip resistance
• Weather-resistant and durable
• It’s natural, earthy tones enhance aesthetics
• Easy to work with

Cons Of Sandstone:

• The porous surface absorbs water easily
• Can erode over time in harsh climates
• Needs sealing for outdoor use

5. Slate

It is a metamorphic rock that is formed from shale under heat and pressure. Slate look porcelain tile features a fine-grained texture and splits into thin sheets. This makes it perfect for roofing and tiles. You can find it in colors like black, gray, green, and purple. It is widely used in roofing tiles, wall cladding, flooring, and decorative elements.

Pros Of Slate:

• It has great water resistance
• Non-slip surface
• Elegant natural finish
• Fire-resistant

Cons Of Slate:

• Brittle, can crack under heavy loads
• Limited color range compared to granite or marble
• Higher installation costs

6. Travertine

It is a popular stone used in construction for centuries. Travertine is a type of limestone formed around mineral springs. It is popular for its porous texture and earthy colors. It features colors like cream, beige, and rust. This is the type of stone used in construction for flooring, outdoor stone paving, patios, pool surrounds, and facades. Travertine pavers are known for their beautiful aging.

Pros Of Travertine:

• Natural and warm appearance
• Non-slippery, good for outdoor use
• Stays cool in hot climates
• Environmentally friendly stone

Cons Of Travertine:

• Porous, requires regular sealing
• Not suitable for areas with freezing temperatures
• Weaker than granite and marble

7. Quartzite

It is the types of stone used in construction because of their durability. It is also a hard metamorphic rock with a glassy appearance. Quartzite is also highly resistant to heat and abrasion. It is commonly used in natural stone flooring, countertops, staircases, and railway ballast. This stone even outperforms granite when it comes to durability.

Pros Of Quartzite:

• Harder than granite in many cases
• Highly resistant to weathering
• Long-lasting and low-maintenance
• Available in unique patterns and colors

Cons Of Quartzite:

• More expensive than sandstone and limestone
• Difficult to cut and shape due to hardness
• Limited availability in some regions

8. Basalt

Basalt look porcelain is one of the strongest types of stone used in construction after granite. However, it is often overshadowed by the granite. It is a common material for rubble masonry technique. It is a dark-colored igneous rock that is fine-grained and very strong. It is commonly used where strength and durability are required. This makes it a making it a popular choice for road construction, pavements, flooring, and as aggregates in concrete.

Pros Of Basalt:

• Basalt is extremely strong and durable
• Resistant to weather and wear
• Cost-effective for structural uses
• Widely available in nature

Cons Of Basalt:

• Limited decorative appeal
• Heavy and difficult to work with
• Limited color options (mainly dark gray or black)

9. Gneiss

Gneiss is a widely used metamorphic rock with unique and subtly different light and dark mineral bands. It is one of those types of stone used in construction that offers a distinct appearance with rugged strength. Its formation gives it a high compressive strength and a decorative texture. This makes Gneiss both practical and aesthetic for interior design. This stone is not widely common but is used in residential and commercial stone paving, flooring, walls, and ornamental works due to its strength.

Pros Of Gneiss:

• Strong and durable
• It features an attractive banded appearance
• Weather-resistant
• Long-lasting even in harsh climates

Cons Of Gneiss:

• Less common than granite and limestone
• It can be costly depending on the quality
• Not as easily polished as marble

10. Laterite

It is a sedimentary rock that is rich in iron and aluminium. It has a distinct reddish brown appearance, which looks perfect in traditional architecture. Though laterite is soft when freshly quarried, but hardens on exposure. This makes it an ideal choice for traditional construction. It is commonly used in road construction, building blocks, rural construction, and road works, where strength and durability are crucial.

Pros:

• Low cost and locally available in many regions
• Easy to cut when freshly quarried
• Strong and durable after hardening
• Eco-friendly material

Cons:

• Not as durable as granite or marble
• Porous, requires protective coatings
• Limited decorative appeal

11. Onyx

Onyx is a decorative stone that is popular for its translucent and striking banded patterns. It lets the light pass through it, which makes it one of its kind stone used in construction. It also belongs to the quartz stone, so it is also resistant to high temperatures, chemicals, weathering, wear, and tear. However, it is softer and less durable than granite or quartzite, but is often used for luxury interiors. Its applications include high-end countertops (commercial and residential), wall panels, and decorative elements.

Pros Of Onyx:

• Unique and luxurious appearance
• Can be backlit for dramatic effects
• Adds value to interiors

Cons Of Onyx:

• Very soft and prone to scratches
• Expensive and rare
• High maintenance requirement

12. Quartz (Engineered Stone)

Though natural quartz exists but engineered quartz is technically 90% crushed quartz combined with 6-10% polymer and resin pigments. The resulting surface is hard, non-porous, low-maintenance, and versatile. It is widely used in modern construction, from quartz kitchen countertops to floors and luxurious outdoor areas. Its durability almost equals that of porcelain, which means it can resist scratches, stains, moisture, and daily wear and tear. It is commonly used in kitchen countertops, flooring, and wall cladding.

Pros Of Quartz (Engineered Stone):

• Highly durable and stain-resistant
• Available in endless colors and patterns
• Low maintenance compared to natural stone
• Uniform appearance

Cons Of Quartz (Engineered Stone):

• Not as heat-resistant as natural stone
• Can be expensive
• Limited to modern applications

13- Ledger Stone

Ledger Stone is a type of stacked natural stone that is often used for decorative walls, fireplaces, and outdoor facades. It offers a textured, three-dimensional look that adds a rustic charm to modern designs alike. It is weather-resistant and durable, and it brings visual depth without needing grout lines.

Pros of Ledger Stone:

• It offers a unique natural texture
• Long-lasting wit, durability, and weather resistance
• versatile in design.

Cons Of Ledger Stone: 

• It comes with a higher installation cost,
• The resulting surface may seem uneven and trap dust.

14- Stone Veneer

Stone veneer is a thin layer of natural or manufactured stone applied to surfaces for decorative purposes. It mimics full stonework while reducing weight and cost. This is why it is ideal for interior walls, fireplaces, and exterior facades. You can find it in multiple finishes, which provides flexibility in modern construction.

Pros Of Stone Veneer: 

• It is lighter than other stones
• It comes with a lower price tag
• You can find it in a wide variety of designs.

Cons Of Stone Veneer:

• Less durable than full stone
• may require sealing.

15- Sintered Stone

Sintered Stone is an engineered stone surface crafted by compressing natural minerals under heat and pressure. It is widely popular for its strength, non-porous surface, and UV resistance. It is used in countertops, flooring, and outdoor kitchens. Its sleek look makes it a favorite in modern projects.

Pros Of Sintered Stone:

• Sintered stone is highly durable
• It has a higher stain-resistant
• Being natural stone, it is eco-friendly.

Cons Of Sintered Stone:

• The overall cost is higher 
• It requires specialized installation.

Detailed Comparison of Types of Stone Used in Construction

Not all stones used in construction are equal, and none of them is inferior to the others. Some stones offer better durability, while some add luxurious charm and feel to the space. In the following table, we are comparing all the stone types used in construction to provide more information.

Stone	Appearance & Color	Durability	Water Resistance	Workability	Cost Level	Common Uses	Limitations
Granite	Speckled, wide color range	Very High	Excellent	Hard to cut, needs advanced tools	High	Flooring, countertops, bridges, monuments	Expensive, heavy, requires sealing
Marble	Veined, elegant whites, greens, greys	Medium–High	Moderate	Easy to shape & polish	High	Flooring, walls, facades, decorative features	Porous, stains, scratches, not great outdoors
Limestone	Cream, beige, earthy tones	Medium	Moderate–Low	Easy to cut	Medium	Walls, flooring, facades	Porous, weak in acid rain, wears over time
Sandstone	Grainy, reddish, brown, yellow	Medium	Moderate	Easy to carve	Medium	Walls, paving, cladding	Absorbs water, not very strong, can flake
Slate	Dark grey, black, green, purple	High	Very High	Splits into thin sheets	Medium–High	Roofing, flooring, and wall cladding	Brittle edges, limited color range
Basalt	Dark grey to black, fine-grained	Very High	Excellent	Difficult to shape	Medium	Roads, pavements, and concrete aggregates	Hard to polish, limited decorative use
Laterite	Reddish, porous, earthy	Low–Medium	Low	Easy to cut when fresh	Low	Walls, foundations (rural buildings)	Weak, not durable in urban projects
Gneiss	Banded, streaked, granite-like	High	Good	Moderate	Medium–High	Flooring, walls, decorative use	Less uniform, not as strong as granite
Quartzite	White, grey, pink	Very High	Excellent	Hard, difficult to cut	High	Flooring, heavy-duty surfaces, monuments	Expensive, limited availability
Travertine	Cream, beige, tan, fibrous look	Medium	Moderate	Easy to polish	Medium–High	Flooring, wall facades, and bathrooms	Porous, needs sealing, prone to etching
Onyx	Translucent, decorative veins	Low	Low	Easy to cut & polish	Very High	Wall panels, luxury interiors	Fragile, expensive, and poor outdoor durability
Ledger Stone	Stacked, layered, rustic, or modern tones	High	Good	Moderate, needs skilled laying	Medium–High	Accent walls, fireplaces, and outdoor facades	Labor-intensive install, uneven surface traps dust
Stone Veneer	Thin layer, natural or manufactured look	Medium	Moderate	Easy to apply to surfaces	Medium	Interior walls, fireplaces, facades	Less durable than full stone, may need sealing
Sintered Stone	Sleek, engineered, wide finishes	Very High	Excellent	Needs specialized tools	High–Very High	Countertops, flooring, and outdoor kitchens	Expensive, requires professional installation

FAQs on Types Of Stone Used in Construction

Let’s answer the most common questions about the stone types used in construction.

What is the most common stone used in construction?

Granite is the most common stone used in construction because of its durability, strength, and resistance to weathering.

Which stone is best for building foundations?

Basalt and granite are well-suited for foundations due to their high compressive strength and long-lasting stability.

What type of stone is used for decorative walls?

Sandstone, limestone, and slate are commonly used for decorative walls due to their natural textures and colors.

Which stone is preferred for flooring in homes?

Marble and granite are the preferred choices for home flooring for a polished, durable, and scratch-resistant look.

What is the strongest natural stone used in construction?

Granite is considered the strongest natural stone used in construction due to its compressive strength and resistance to wear.

Which stone is most affordable for construction projects?

Sandstone and limestone are generally the most affordable options.

What stones are best for outdoor construction?

Granite, basalt, and slate are best for outdoor use because they can withstand harsh weather, temperature change, and moisture.

Bottom Line

Different types of stone used in construction offer different and distinct benefits. Some offer a luxurious look, like marble or onyx, while some offer hard surfaces like granite and gneiss stone. Each stone has its pros and cons, so you should choose a stone that fits your aesthetic and performance expectations. Make sure to get your desired stone from a reputable natural stone supplier in New Jersey so you will get the best material without compromising on quality and performance.