The exterior design options for metal buildings tend to be pretty standard.
That’s why a metal building with stone wainscot has become one of the most popular ways to add contrast, texture, and curb appeal without a full exterior overhaul.
Installing realistic stone wainscoting on the exterior of your metal building adds dimension and eye-catching appeal that your home or business needs to stand out.
Using faux stone exterior wainscoting panels keeps your project within budget and provides lasting results without sacrificing looks. Keep reading to explore the benefits of using faux stone wainscot on a metal building, how to install it, and which faux stone style best suits your building.
What Is Wainscoting on a Metal Building?
Wainscoting on a metal building refers to adding a decorative material—like faux stone panels—to the lower portion of the exterior wall. Typically, this covers the bottom third of the structure and creates a clean, two-tone finish.
Often, we see homeowners use stone panels to wainscot their home’s exterior to bring a pop of natural color and individuality. But set your everyday home aside for a minute—this same concept works just as well for metal buildings.
If you’re newer to the concept, this quick guide to wainscoting with faux panels breaks down the fundamentals and helps connect the dots between interior and exterior applications.
Most metal buildings are built for function, not looks. Therefore, the addition of realistic stone wainscot on a metal building helps highlight architectural features and break up large, flat surfaces.
For more inspiration, explore these exterior wainscoting ideas to see how this design technique transforms different structures.
Can I Add Stone Wainscot Paneling to any Metal Building?
Not every metal building is suitable for wainscoting.
It’s recommended to only install faux stone wainscot paneling to a metal building with horizontal ribbing or lap siding. If the metal ribs on your building run vertically, the panels will only adhere to the high points of the wall, leaving voids in between the panels and your building.
This is a key consideration when planning wainscoting metal building exteriors or evaluating metal wainscoting exterior options. With vertically ribbed metal buildings, the best option is to install faux stone panels as a full wall (from the ground to the roofline) or explore alternative solutions .
How to Measure for Exterior Wainscoting Panels on a Metal Building
Measuring correctly is one of the most important steps in a successful metal building with stone veneer project—and it’s more straightforward than you might expect.
When you’re ready to install, follow the faux panels exterior installation instructions to ensure proper application and long-term performance.
To ensure a successful installation, it's important to order the right amount of paneling. As a rule of thumb, stone wainscoting should cover the bottom third of the wall, which is a foundational principle behind many exterior metal wainscoting layouts.
In the example below, we are wainscoting the front side of a metal building with Colorado Dry Stack Faux Stone Wall Panels.
Measurement Example
- Measure the height of the wall you plan to wainscot. In this example, the exterior metal wall is 10 feet tall, so the wainscot height is 40 inches.
Note: To reduce waste; be sure to take into consideration the size of the stone panel style you selected. For example: Colorado Dry Stack panels are available in 2 sizes, 24" tall or 36” tall. It’s recommended to either stack 2 24” panels high or reduce your wainscot height to 36” and use the 36” Colorado Dry Stack panel instead.
- Measure the total length of the wall you’re covering. In this example, the front side of the metal building is 36 feet long.
Note: If you plan to wainscot around the entire building, measure the total length of each side, then add them together.
- Take the wainscot height (40 inches) and the total length of the wall (36 feet) and use our quantity calculator to calculate how much paneling you need. In this example, we need 19 24” tall stone panels to complete the job.
Taking proper measurements and using the quantity calculator not only helps you determine how much stone paneling you need, but also shows you what you can expect to spend on your project. You’ll find that choosing faux stone over real stone is much more wallet-friendly.
Benefits of Faux Stone Wainscot Vs. Real Stone
Real stone wainscot is beautiful and durable. But when you add up the cost of the product itself and the expense of hiring a contractor to install it, it's expensive.
Faux stone panels deliver the look of real stone while offering greater flexibility, easier installation, and a more budget-friendly solution.
Faux Stone Panels Are:
- Cast from molds of real stone to mimic the texture and look of natural stone
- Made from durable polyurethane that won’t crack, chip, or fade
- Hand-painted, so each panel is unique
- Available in a wide variety of styles and colors
- More affordable than real stone
- Easy to install yourself
- Lightweight and won’t compromise structural integrity
- Resistant to damage from normal weather patterns and pests
- Low maintenance and easy to clean
How to Choose the Right Faux Stone Paneling for Wainscot in a Metal Building
We offer a wide variety of custom-crafted stone panels to choose from, so you’re sure to find one that will set your metal building apart from the rest. All faux stone panel varieties are suitable for exterior applications.
Below are a few popular styles for stone wainscot on metal buildings:
Stacked Stone Styles
Chiseled Stone Styles
Chiseled stone styles introduce texture and variation for a more dynamic appearance.
Regal Chiseled Faux Stone Panels are available in five casual, natural-looking shades that each complement the color and style of any metal building.
Fieldstone Styles
Fieldstone panels offer a natural, varied look with a wide range of tones.
Warmth and natural character shine through with Anson Fieldstone Panels. With 11 color options ranging from bright Beach Stone to deep Matte Black, this style makes it easy to complement—and elevate—the existing color palette of your metal building.
Each stone wall panel can be accompanied by coordinating accessories, including corner pieces and electrical outlet surrounds.
Exterior Metal Wainscoting Ideas
Looking for inspiration for your metal building wainscoting project? Try these design approaches:
- Create a two-tone exterior contrast
- Wrap all sides of the building for a cohesive finish
- Highlight entryways, doors, or garage openings
- Blend with natural surroundings using earth-toned stone
These simple upgrades can transform a standard structure into a visually striking metal building with stone wainscot.
Get Started on Your Stone Wainscot Project
Break up that big wall of color on the exterior of your metal building with a gorgeous faux stone wainscot. Whether you update one wall or the entire structure, stone wainscoting transforms metal buildings from purely functional to visually refined.
To get started on this DIY-friendly project, explore our full collection of faux stone panels and bring your vision to life.
