Natural stone cladding
Natural stone cladding is the use of a thin layer of stone as a cladding for the outside of a structure. It is also sometimes used on internal surfaces. When applied properly, the thin layers achieve a textured and three-dimensional appearance, giving the impression that the structure is constructed entirely of natural stone.
Typically, stone cladding is used:
- To give a stone finish to an existing structure.
- To create a stone finish at lower weight, and so with reduced structural support requirements.
- To allow faster and lower cost installation.
- To allow modern the use of modern construction techniques and high-performance detailing, but with a traditional appearance.
- To allow off-site manufacturing, with reduced on-site construction.
- To reduce waste.
Stone cladding is manufactured by quarrying natural stone and milling it into thin pieces. A range of different sizes, thicknesses, shapes and patterns can be created according to the specification of the design. Cladding can be supplied either as single stone pieces, or as large, bespoke panels prefabricated form a number of pieces, such as storey-height panels or shaped parts such as reveals and lintels.
To accommodate the weight of natural stone, the cladding system should be fixed mechanically to structural substrate layers. This can be done using shelf angles or specially-made stone clips.
Alternatively, cladding panels can be made by laminating thin pieces of stone onto a carrier panel made from lightweight concrete. Because the two materials have similar physical characteristics, they work well together as a composite and provide good weather protection.
Where very thin stone pieces are used (around one inch thick), providing a final finish to a substrate such as blockwork, this may be described as a 'stone veneer'.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Ashlar.
- Brick.
- Brick veneer.
- Building fabric.
- Building with structural stone.
- Choosing stone.
- Cladding.
- Defects in stonework.
- Inspecting stone sample panels.
- Limestone for building.
- Masonry.
- Natural stone.
- Natural stone tiles.
- Patio stone.
- Pebbledash.
- Rustication.
- Stone dressing.
- Sustainable stone.
- Tufa and tuff
- Types of stone.
- Wall types.
Featured articles and news
Introducing or next Guest Editor Arun Baybars
Practising architect and design panel review member.
Quick summary by size, shape, test, material, use or bonding.
Types of rapidly renewable content
From forestry to agricultural crops and their by-products.
Terraced houses and the public realm
The discernible difference between the public realm of detached housing and of terraced housing.
Put digitalisation and sustainability at the core of curricula
Project management educators are urged.
Looking back at the influence of climate events
From a designer and writer: 'There are limits to growth but no limits to development'.
Terms, histories, theories and practice.
Biophilic design and natural light
Letting in the light and natural elements into spaces.
APM Programme Management Conference 2024
Strategies for Success.
Residential takes the reins as contract awards even out
Contracts down, but remain above the last quarter of 2023.
Celebrating Eid and the largest mud-brick building.
Barry Kingscote claims prestigious CIOB CMYA Award.
The British Mosque: an architectural and social history
The story of some 1,500 mosques or more in Britain.
Heat pump refrigerants, efficiencies and impacts
R12 to R1270 what are the differences?
Global heat pump market in 2023
Challenging times with positive but modest outlook.
Beyond the infrastructure pipeline
Opportunities and chokepoints.
Comments
A must read book for any civil engineer
STONE CLADDING ENGINEERING
https://www.springer.com/us/book/9789400768475