A facade or façade ( /fəˈsɑːd/) is generally one exterior side of a building, usually, but not always, the front. The word comes from the French language, literally meaning “frontage” or “face”.
In architecture, the façade of a building is often the most important from a design standpoint, as it sets the tone for the rest of the building. Many façades are historic, and local zoning regulations or other laws greatly restrict or even forbid their alteration.
When considering stone facades it is important to consider the life cycle cost when comparing to stucco, precast, or other less costly alternatives. While these options may have a lower initial out of pocket cost, the lower maintenance, durability, energy savings and much longer life cycle of natural stone have overall lower life cycle costs.
