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
CLC and BSR process map for HRB approvals
One of the initial outputs of their weekly BSR meetings.
Building Safety Levy technical consultation response
Details of the planned levy now due in 2026.
Great British Energy install solar on school and NHS sites
200 schools and 200 NHS sites to get solar systems, as first project of the newly formed government initiative.
600 million for 60,000 more skilled construction workers
Announced by Treasury ahead of the Spring Statement.
The restoration of the novelist’s birthplace in Eastwood.
Life Critical Fire Safety External Wall System LCFS EWS
Breaking down what is meant by this now often used term.
PAC report on the Remediation of Dangerous Cladding
Recommendations on workforce, transparency, support, insurance, funding, fraud and mismanagement.
New towns, expanded settlements and housing delivery
Modular inquiry asks if new towns and expanded settlements are an effective means of delivering housing.
Building Engineering Business Survey Q1 2025
Survey shows growth remains flat as skill shortages and volatile pricing persist.
Construction contract awards remain buoyant
Infrastructure up but residential struggles.
Home builders call for suspension of Building Safety Levy
HBF with over 100 home builders write to the Chancellor.
CIOB Apprentice of the Year 2024/2025
CIOB names James Monk a quantity surveyor from Cambridge as the winner.
Warm Homes Plan and existing energy bill support policies
Breaking down what existing policies are and what they do.
Treasury responds to sector submission on Warm Homes
Trade associations call on Government to make good on manifesto pledge for the upgrading of 5 million homes.
A tour through Robotic Installation Systems for Elevators, Innovation Labs, MetaCore and PORT tech.
A dynamic brand built for impact stitched into BSRIA’s building fabric.
BS 9991:2024 and the recently published CLC advisory note
Fire safety in the design, management and use of residential buildings. Code of practice.
Comments
A must read book for any civil engineer
STONE CLADDING ENGINEERING
https://www.springer.com/us/book/9789400768475