Brownstone is sandstone used for building purposes, and it is a reddish and brown combination. The word is commonly used in Canada and US to denote townhouses in the city and other buildings with similar materials. It has almost become fashionable to use this term for any townhouse. Even there are townhouses made of bricks with brownstone stoops on the outer boroughs of the house.
There is the use of the term in colonial country homes where the term is used as freestone as it is used by cutting freely into any direction. This is how brownstone was used in tombstone making and became a widespread practice from then. Carvers mostly used it to make tombs.
The main idea of using brownstone was its ease of carving and quarry purpose. This helped make houses clad and perfect to withstand various weather conditions and wo not get damaged easily over time. This is how the use of brownstone slowly became popular in NYC. It came into fashion in the 1840s and was seen in row houses. At that time, it was an affordable option for house building. But with changes in design and scarcity, it became expensive.
Another reason for the popularity of the stone is that it can be laid on long sheets with invisible seams. This creates a significant visual effect, developing something new for the row houses.
Brownstone homes are one of the sought-after options in real estate these days. It is mainly because the stones are easy to carve and create the desired design. It is primarily found in three to four-story New York City houses.
Regarding investment, a brownstone house is an excellent option as it is less taxed than other apartments in a city. In the case of single-family homes that are townhouses or brownstones, or an apartment with less than three housing units, they charge only 6% of tax.
The brownstone houses have become a common option in Connecticut, Maine, and New Jersey. The stone allows ease of ornamentation, making it a sought-after choice in real estate days. This also makes brownstone among recognizable architectural icons and a famous option to opt for. Therefore, when planning to invest in real estate, this house option is a suitable one to go for. It can withstand different weather conditions and aren’t prone to damage. The building options usually have an elevated front door, stoop, pediments, and other details that make them unique.
