Design Design

Considerations

Natural Stone Veneer

Nick Barnes Nick has a BA in Construction Management. His background since then has been focused on site work, concrete and masonry.

He can be reached at nbarnes@mstoneandtile.com

When he is not producing literate blogs, Nick enjoys backpacking, biking, skiing and kayaking.

INTRODUCTION

We will discuss the importance of choosing the correct natural stone materials and the correct application processes for your speci c veneer. Then we will move on to consider color, material composition and product longevity.

Very few construction materials compare to the beauty and endurance of architectural stone. The process of building with stone has greatly advanced over time and today we have state-of-the-art machinery and manufacturing capabilities to erect the most impressive and aesthetically attractive stone interiors and exteriors.

When it comes to architectural stone applications in this arena there are primarily 3 di�erent options:

• thin stone veneer • full thickness veneer • man-made concrete veneer

I always recommend matching the right process with the correct materials to accomplish the best results.

By researching and understanding the individual job requirements, the material selections and applications are easier to identify. The following are several things to take into consideration.

Comparatively Speaking

This will contribute to the mass of the structure and its design dead load. Therefore the proper veneer may be di�erent for a chimney than for a retaining wall, a �replace di�erent than a water fountain basin.

Man -made concrete veneer is primarily composed of cement, oxide coloring and various chemicals — while the end result may be lightweight this process has a few drawbacks.

Weight : The �rst thing to investigate when choosing a veneer is the weight factor. A full -dimensional stone is approximately 3” – 5” thick whereas a thin veneer is typically 3/4 to 1 1/2” thick

Longevity and Durability:

Taking a look at the cobblestone streets of Europe or the stone buildings of the Middle East it’s easy to understand that quality stone veneer as a building material can create its own long history.

While full -thickness veneer may last for centuries, thin stone veneer is also a proven and tested application over the test of time. Man -made concrete veneer has a shorter history and is often accompanied by warranties as to technical performance.

Most interior stone veneer projects do not involve exposure to the elements.

Some materials react di�erently than others and this will help you select the best stone veneer

However , if you are planning an exterior architectural stone project, a master bath or swimming pool you should ask your supplier about the stone’s performance from a freeze/thaw standpoint and its resistance to acid/alkali environments.

Color & Texture : The choices of color and texture are more limited when comparing man -made concrete with natural stone veneer. The former, in most cases, is con�ned to colors that are manufactured and can run inconsistently in hue and tone.

The latter o�ers a myriad of colors, edging and veining with a proven color consistency that lasts practically forever.

Design Flexibility : Natural stone veneers o�er many options for creative design and pattern creation. Stone materials are diverse and veneering o�ers great opportunities to create your personal vision. It can form just about any pattern you can think up, from brick bond to herringbone or the most imaginative and free -�owing customization.

The selection of stone products on the market is equally abundant. In today’s market, I’ve noticed a demand for longer and more monolithic pieces for interior wall construction. My clients also appreciate the ability to create carved architectural components and slabs out of the same stones used in the thin veneers.

Trending in Stone Veneer

From contemporary feature walls to stove hoods, �replaces to outdoor patios and BBQs, a quality stone veneer will help create the right look and feel to capture your vision.

Trending in Stone Veneer

The use of brighter colors like white Danby marble and clean clear limestone trends upward as clients strive to achieve sleek, elegant and uncluttered design.

Trending in Stone Veneer

With our recent acquisition of A.J. Brauer Stone Company, we have more slabs and veneer choices to o�er. I’ve also noticed that elongated, rectangular veneers are growing more popular, as shown below in this Frank Lloyd Wright inspired rendering.

Trending in Stone Veneer

Another interesting option is the ability to create a book -matched veneer. What this means is we cut the stone to expose its natural veining, we then open the stone as you would a book and the veneer exempli�es a mirrored e�ect .

Installation

Summary

Please understand the various moving parts that go into any stone installation. Be certain to engage a quali�ed stone mason no matter what path you may choose in stone veneer.

Some key takeaways are: Be aware of the natural stone veneer options that are available to the professional designer and homeowner.

• Full veneer or thin veneer? • The factor that weight can play. • The various facial dimensions that can be used. • Color and tone of the stone is highly signi�cant and there is a great range of choice. • How the stone is cut will be impactful. • Fully research product performance standards for each application.

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