Manufacturing process of stone cladding

Natural stone is one of the most popular materials used both indoors and outdoors. However, one of the main drawbacks is its weight - enormous stone slabs are not easy to handle and install, especially in apartments or single-family houses. This is why stone cladding is so crucial! But how stone veneer is made? Let’s find out.

Many people doubt that stone veneer is actually made of real stone, and they have some good reasons for that. After all, on the market, there are faux stone cladding panels, which are made out of polyurethane or other similar materials. Some stone cladding manufacturers also use another technique and create veneer out of lightweight aggregate compound or concrete, which is then poured into special moulds that mimic the natural look and texture of the real stone. After that, the stones need to be painted to even more resemble their natural versions. Manufacturers add various hues and colour variations often seen on natural stone.

However, the wide range of stone veneers has a different manufacturing process and is not created by the use of artificial components. So how is stone cladding done? Stone veneer is made by quarrying natural stone and grinding it into thinner pieces. This way, it’s possible to create a range of different sizes, shapes, thicknesses, textures and patterns. Of course, depending on the design, cladding elements can look like large bespoke panels or single small pieces. Are stone walls made of stone or cladding? Cladding is also made out of natural stone, which means that it’s using the same material.

So, where can you use stone veneer? Natural stone cladding manufacturers usually recommend installing it in places where you want to give a stone finish to an existing structure - walls, counters, floors, stairs etc. Cladding is also used to create a stone finish but at a lower weight. This way structural support requirements can be lowered significantly. The good news is that stone veneers can be used both indoors and outdoors with great results. The material is resistant, so it can handle various damaging factors, and you can enjoy it in great shape for many years to come.

Stone veneer is a much more practical solution in modern design than classic stone. For one, it doesn’t weigh that much, so the transport, cutting, and installation process goes smoother and faster. That also influences the price, and the cost of the installation is much lower than it would be for classic stone. The pieces are easier to handle as well, which means some homeowners may want to apply them themselves without the help of professionals, which also will reduce the overall cost of this solution. They will be able to use modern construction techniques but will create a design with a traditional and timeless appearance.