By doing it all, design, manufacture and installation, Custom Stone House gives homeowners virtually endless possibilities

By Laura Briedis

Homeowners have been remodeling their residences in record numbers this past year. But more than just replacing old kitchen cabinets with new cabinetry or pulling out old carpet and installing new flooring, a growing number of people are also sprucing up the exterior of their homes by removing old siding and installing stone.

“Rather than buying a new home in this current inflated housing market, so many people are upgrading their existing space,” says Ronnie Stout, owner of Custom Stone House. “We have been busier than ever installing stone on homes as stonework is in high demand right now and certainly upgrades curb appeal.”

And it may be more affordable than you think.

“You can dress up your home by just installing a foundation wrap,” says Ronnie. “This is an inexpensive way to improve curb appeal, as the stone is applied over the exposed bottom foundation cinder blocks to spruce up the home and increases its value. It is amazing how even just wrapping a couple of posts on the front porch and adding some stone accents to the front of a home can make it look more impressive.”

Founded in 2015, Custom Stone House has its own manufacturing plant so it cuts out the middleman. “We have wholesale prices, so rather than going through a supply store you get a better price directly from us,” says Ronnie. “Plus, we offer everything in house, from designing the stonework to installing it.”

By doing it all—design, manufacture and installation—the company gives homeowners virtually endless possibilities when it comes to home remodeling or new construction.

And with 1,500 color possibilities, you never have to worry about having the same stone as any of your neighbors.

“We offer thousands of custom style and color options, from Roman quarry to stacked stone to limestone,” says Ronnie. “By manufacturing our own stone, customers can customize their stonework instead of picking from stock colors. You can get a lot more creative when custom designing your own stone.”

In its Medina showroom, there are sample boards that offer a starting point along with a palette of 40 different colors, to help you hone in on your color preferences. After you select your color and style, your stone is manufactured in its plant in Lodi.

“We currently have 12 crews installing stone, and since we control the manufacturing and don’t have to wait for another company to make the stone—as many other stone manufacturers currently have a three-month lag time right now—we are able to schedule a lot of jobs,” says Ronnie. “If you want to add stonework on your home’s exterior or hardscapes in your backyard, we can still make that happen this summer.”

Custom Stone House works directly with homeowners who want to remodel their homes, and also partners with Drees Homes, K. Hovnanian Homes and 19 other Northeast Ohio custom home builders to supply stone for new construction.

In addition to installing stone on the front of homes, mixing different styles and colors for one-of-a-kind home exteriors, Custom Stone House also specializes in hardscapes that make the backyard a fun place to hang out.

“With everyone staying home more this past year, we have been turning backyards into places where people can enjoy time with friends and family,” says Ronnie, “We can design and build any hardscape for an outdoor patio, including an outdoor kitchen, pizza oven, masonry fireplace, stone mailbox, seat bench and retaining wall.”

Stone is also a popular option for a home’s interior. Whether a fireplace, bar counter facade or accent wall in the basement, stone adds an architectural design element anywhere inside or out.

This locally owned company is on pace to do 400 stone projects this year, and it keeps growing—becoming a trusted name and an established business.

A familiar face around town, Ronnie was a standout baseball pitcher at Medina High School before playing professionally in the San Francisco Giants organization. After an elbow injury shortened his baseball career, he returned home and started his own stone company.

“While in high school I worked with my grandfather, Roger Estep, installing fireplaces and learned all about masonry from him,” says Ronnie. “Both my grandfather and dad worked in masonry, so it is something I am comfortable with.”

Now it has come full circle as his “retired” grandfather worked for him at Custom Stone House, where he and Ronnie worked side-by-side on jobs.

“We started our company with just one crew and now we have more than a dozen,” says Ronnie. “Our philosophy is simple. If you can envision it, we can create it.”

Custom Stone House is located at 107 N. Court Street in Medina. Hours are by appointment Monday through Friday. For a free in-home estimate, call 330-635-2319 or visit CustomStoneHouse.com. Check out its stone projects on Facebook and Instagram @customstonehouse.