Cultured stone can be hung on just about any solid frame. But the inflation adjusted cost will likely equal repainting costs over the remainder of your natural life. Six to eight years seems too short an interval to require repainting. But I don't know your climate.

stone siding?

We are investigating the same thing right now. In the sunny South we're lucky to get 5 years out of a paint job so we're looking into removing the siding and continuing the brick veneer up the sides.

You will need to have solid footing for any stonework laid if you don't have them already. Something has to hold the weight of the brick or stone.