Natural stone veneer and accent work for a Western Springs residence — drainage mat, back-butter mortar, and sealed joints transform the exterior while protecting the substrate.
Project Details
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After 
Before 1/3 — Entry steps — original concrete steps removed, natural limestone steps set in proper mortar bed
After 
Before 2/3 — Facade accent — limestone sills and lintels installed with proper sealant at all joints
After 
Before 3/3 — Front wall — natural stone veneer installed over drainage mat with back-butter mortar
This Western Springs home had a front facade that lacked the architectural presence expected of the neighborhood. Natural stone veneer on the primary elevation — with limestone accent sills and a new entry surround — delivered a complete transformation.
Limestone without drainage detailing absorbs water and cracks in the first hard Illinois winter
Mismatched stone thickness at joints creates stress points and accelerates freeze-thaw failure
Unsealed natural stone on Chicagoland homes shows heavy weathering and staining within 3-5 years
Every project follows the same disciplined sequence — no shortcuts, no hand-offs, same crew start to finish.
We source stone from regional quarries and match profile, finish, and color to the existing exterior or architect specifications. Samples are approved on-site before any stone is ordered.
We install the correct drainage mat and mortar bed for the stone type. Layout is planned to minimize cuts, manage joint lines, and protect against water infiltration at transitions.
Stone is set in proper mortar bed with back-buttering for full contact. Joints are pointed in matching mortar and tooled to the correct profile after initial set.
All stone is sealed with penetrant sealer after mortar cure. Movement joints and transitions are caulked with appropriate sealant. Final inspection documented before closeout.
Natural limestone and stone are the only exterior materials that get more beautiful over time. Installed correctly with proper drainage and sealed joints, limestone on a Chicagoland home will still look exactly right in 80 years. AMS selects quarry-direct stone and installs it with the same techniques used on historic buildings that have proven it across centuries.
Natural limestone is quarried full-thickness material. Manufactured stone veneer is a concrete casting of a stone texture. In Illinois freeze-thaw conditions, natural limestone significantly outperforms manufactured stone in both durability and appearance retention over 20+ years.
We seal all limestone and porous stone installations with penetrant sealer. In Illinois, sealing is not optional — it dramatically reduces water absorption and extends the maintenance interval to 5-7 years between reseals.
Often yes. Weathered limestone and natural stone frequently responds well to professional cleaning and resealing. We inspect first and give you an honest assessment — restoration is significantly less expensive than replacement when the stone itself is intact.
