Natural materials are both desired in our indoor and outdoor spaces. They offer authentic and quality depth to the rooms and help connect naturally to the surrounding nature as we embrace the imperfections of stone with no two pieces the same. There is a choice for everyone when it comes to colours depending on your taste for décor. You can choose calm and relaxed tones or deep warm brown tones for your spaces.
Wall stone cladding is robust and can stand the test of time without breaking or chipping compared to other walling options like concrete. Cladding with stone is easy to install and requires no maintenance. What’s more, stone cladding is resistant to fire hence suitable in fire-prone areas. Stonewall panelling option is one of the few choices that improve over time.
Stone cladding involves the use of real or simulated stone to a structure made of stone. Sometimes it is applied to steel or concrete buildings as part of architectural design. Stone cladding is sometimes referred to as simulated stone products with a concrete-type base. Stone wall cladding products used to reduce the cost of materials include:
- Timber stud frame
- Cement fibre sheet
- Expanded material mesh
- Waterproof barrier
- Mortar scratch coat
Mortar mixed, the stone cladding would then be affixed to the wall. In a typical installation on a lightweight substrate, plywood would be used as a backing alternative to the thin layer of fibre cement sheet.
Stone cladding can alternatively be a natural stone that’s been quarried and sliced into pieces to reduce weight. Because natural stone is more massive, stone cladding is fixed mechanically to adhere to substrates using shelf angles or a product referred to as a stone clip.
Retrofitting stone cladding is particularly inappropriate in a terraced development because it makes the property appear out of character with the surroundings.
Application of stone cladding
Internally, stone wall cladding can be applied to the fireplace or bathroom feature wall. It can also be used to create a visual division in an open space. And externally, stone wall cladding can be applied to wall panels to add interest in a building façade or add layers and texture to the outdoor kitchen, along the boundary of a poolside or a boundary walling. How you use stone cladding depends on your imagination and individual spaces.
Advantages of manufactured stone over natural stone
- The cost of material and that of application is high in natural stone compared to manufactured stone
- The weight of manufactured is stone is lighter compared to that of a natural stone
- Regarding manufactured veer, there is a variety of colours and designs which is not possible with natural stone.
Advantages of natural stone over manufactured veer
- Natural stone can stand the test of time; the real stone cannot crack or fade over centuries.
- Natural stones add more aesthetics because its looks are viewed as superior to human-made or cultured stone products. Characteristics identified with natural stone cannot be matched with manufactured veer, i.e. moss and lichen growing on the rock, its unique shapes, texture and more.
- Its lightweight eliminates the need to add wall ties and footings, making it cost-effective compared to manufactured veer.
There is also one disadvantage of using natural stones over manufactured veer, which is the cost involved while using the natural stones.