STONE VENEER

Stone Veneer - What is it and How is it Made?

Stone veneer is a material used for interior finishing, made from natural slates. These are rocks with highly diverse structures, which contribute to the separation of their individual layers. After extracting the stone block from the mine (mainly in India), the stone is prepared for further processing by heating and smoothing its surface. As a result of high temperatures, the rock splits.

Once the stone block cools, a fiberglass mesh is glued to its surface. After drying, this coating is peeled off along with a thin layer of the slate. The next steps involve reinforcing the lower layer of the blocks with synthetic resin. The result is a sheet that combines a natural stone layer of up to 2 mm thickness and fiberglass bonded with resin with a maximum thickness of 1 mm. The final sheet thickness does not exceed 3 mm, although it is not uniform across the entire surface.

Moreover, it is worth noting that the color of the sheets is highly varied, and due to the natural origin of the stone, it is impossible to obtain two identical sheets.

Light and Dark Stone Veneer – How is it Made?

The properties of slate rocks have been known to people for years, and they were primarily used in construction. Their ability to split into increasingly thinner layers was used, for example, for coating prestigious furniture. This is exactly what Gernot Ehrlich did, who professionally dealt with the processing of slate sheets. He adhered them to decorative and functional elements made of fiberboard using resins. However, he accidentally discovered that after peeling off one of the layers, a thin surface of slate stone remained on the board. After further attempts to achieve what he considered the ideal result, the well-known stone veneers were created.

Stone Veneer - Advantages

The advantages of covering surfaces with stone veneer are countless. First of all, it is important to note that it is much lighter than stone or ceramic tiles, which allows it to be placed in areas where installing traditional tiles would be impossible or significantly more difficult. Furthermore, it is highly flexible, making it easy to model while retaining the typical characteristics of natural stone.

Stone veneer sheets can be used both indoors and outdoors. It is harmless and has no negative impact on human health. Due to its minimal thickness, the veneer perfectly adheres to the surface being glued, giving any interior a unique character. Moreover, no specialized tools are needed to cut the sheet – regular scissors are sufficient. To extend its lifespan, common impregnators can be used. Additionally, stone veneer, due to the presence of fiberglass and resin, is water-resistant and serves as a barrier that insulates walls from moisture.

Stone Veneer – Colors of Finished Sheets

Will you choose light or dark stone veneer for your interior? It depends on the room arrangement, the style you want to achieve, and your personal preference for specific colors. Does a stone veneer wallpaper have to be one color? Of course not! In fact, this is even impossible because the nature of slate rocks is their color uniqueness. Therefore, for your kitchen, bathroom, or living room, you can choose a stone veneer in the following colors:

• Green;
• Blue;
• White;
• Purple;
• Graphite;
• Black;
• Brown;
• Gold;
• Rusty;
• Silver.

Each sheet is different, and their colors are not uniform. Therefore, white stone veneer may simultaneously mix with golden and rusty reflections. Just take a look at the examples in our offer to see for yourself.

Stone Veneer - Usefulness in Various Locations

This material can be used both inside buildings and as part of the facade. This is possible due to its high resistance to external weather conditions and mechanical factors. With the help of stone veneer sheets, you can also decorate columns, windowsills, stairs, railings, kitchen countertops, or, of course, walls. In each role, it works perfectly and brings elegance and uniqueness to any interior.

Stone Veneer and Its Use in Interiors

Which rooms can be finished with stone veneer? In fact, it is hard to find any significant limitations for this material in domestic conditions. It will work very well as a finish for:

• Kitchen, bathroom, and living room walls;
• Floors in the kitchen and bathroom;
• Corridor walls;
• Facade.

Additionally, stone veneer is often used for furniture renovation. It is also applied in the arrangement of service spaces, such as:

• Reception;
• Office;
• Waiting room;
• Private offices.

Is Stone Veneer Suitable for Bathroom Tiles?

Its high moisture resistance allows stone veneer to be used on bathroom walls. Can it serve as wall tiles? Definitely! Its flexibility and resistance to abrasion make it an excellent fit for any bathroom. There's nothing preventing you from also laying stone veneer on the floor. Its compressive strength and ability to permanently adhere to the substrate make it easy to use daily. Therefore, you can maintain and clean it with standard cleaning products that will keep it shiny and in perfect condition for many years.

What guidelines should be followed when installing veneer in a bathroom? The key is proper surface preparation, which is common for all surfaces. To prevent stone veneer marble from coming off due to water, you should first use:

• Waterproof plywood or MDF board;
• Moisture blocker as an isolator on the stone veneer;
• Lacquer as a final layer;
• Sealing tape on the corners.

Stone Veneer for the Kitchen – Application

Where else can you successfully use stone veneer sheets? A great way to practically and aesthetically finish an interior is with stone veneer in the kitchen. It works particularly well around kitchen countertops, sinks, or cabinets. It successfully replaces traditional stone or ceramic tiles. You don’t have to worry about water running off the surface of the material causing damage or detachment. This can happen with tiles, as the adhesive used for their installation can detach from the surface, causing them to fall off the walls.

Stone Veneer on the Wall – Rooms

The primary use of stone veneer is to attach it to walls inside and outside rooms. This allows you to create an innovative interior with a uniquely natural aesthetic. Black veneer works best in spaces with plenty of natural light. It is therefore commonly chosen for living rooms or multifunctional rooms with open spaces.

How to install stone veneer on the wall? The key is to level the surface. Why? The sheet thickness is around 3 mm at its thickest point. The factory-applied adhesive is very thin and cannot level visible imperfections. Similarly, with veneer that requires applying adhesive with a notched trowel, its thickness is not significant, as a 3 mm notch trowel is used. Besides leveling the surface, another key issue is dust removal and degreasing. Don’t forget to prime the surface as well. That way, the white or black veneer will hold perfectly to the wall for many years.

Stone Veneer for the Facade – Is It Possible?

What about arranging walls outside the house? Stone veneer for the facade is also successfully used. This allows for the creation of modern and artistic entry niches, interior surfaces around window openings, or entire sections of facades. Of course, it is crucial to impregnate the veneer so that external conditions do not cause material damage. Remember, rain, sun, and temperature changes will put the installation method to the test. You don’t need to worry about the material itself – external stone veneer is exceptionally durable.

How Much Does High-Quality Stone Veneer Cost?

Are you interested in stone veneer and the price of individual sheets? In our offer, you will find many stone veneer options at competitive prices per square meter. The purchase costs are related to the quality of workmanship, the resins used, texture, and colors. Transparent veneers are priced differently than self-adhesive ones. Thicker elements with enhanced durability are usually a bit more expensive. By choosing solutions visible in our offer, you will take care of your budget while fulfilling your dream of having stone walls and floors!

Why is stone veneer a worthy investment? By designing your interior and completing it with stone veneer, you gain peace of mind for many years. Veneer is not wallpaper that will tear or peel off. It is also unlike the massive weight of wall and floor tiles, which additionally require thick adhesives. Properly installed and impregnated stone veneer panels will delight your eyes for many years.

Can You Apply Veneer on Your Own? A Step-by-Step Guide

Applying Glue

Definitely yes, although it will require certain skills and some tools. Stone veneers are applied using glue. It can be applied to the sheets in the factory and secured with a thin layer of plastic, which needs to be removed before placing it in the desired location. Other sheets require the application of a special glue, which you can mix yourself or use a ready-made product. The glue is applied using a comb with fine teeth.

Leveling the Surface

Another matter that requires preparation is the substrate. This is a key element that determines the durability of the veneer installation and other wall or floor elements. Keep in mind that stone veneer is 1.5-3 mm thick. This means it cannot hide larger irregularities on the walls. Moreover, significant gaps will promote the sheets peeling off the surface, which can be especially problematic on walls. Therefore, before placing the sheets, level the surface. You can apply a thin-layer self-leveling compound, fill gaps with putty, or lay plywood or plasterboard. However, these are extreme cases, and in most situations, only a slight sanding of the surface will be necessary.

Measuring and Preparing for Gluing

The dimensions of stone veneer are:

• 15 x 60 cm;
• 122 x 61 cm;
• 120 x 240 cm;
• 122 x 244 cm;
• 120 x 260 cm.

This practically means that before gluing the first sheet, you must accurately measure the walls or floor. How to do this most effectively? You can measure stone veneer for walls and floors just like tiles and panels. Use the floor surface and stack the sheets on top of each other. This way, you'll observe where cutting will be necessary. It is practical to have the cut sheet either at the baseboard or the ceiling if you're applying stone veneer on the wall.

Therefore, the next step is to mark the starting point. Since our veneer maintains its size, it’s enough to outline the corners where they meet and glue the first sheet to them. If you’re unsure about having a steady hand, you can draw a line across the entire surface or use a leveling laser. This will make it easier to keep the line straight when applying the first layer.

Gluing the Veneer

What do you need to remember before gluing the first sheet? Check if it fits the place where you want to place it. So, lay the veneer on the surface without applying glue or removing the protective paper from the back. Only after you're sure should you stick the sheet to the wall or floor. Keep in mind that this is a fairly thin material and requires a good fit to the surface, as well as pushing out air bubbles underneath. You will need a wide wallpaper roller, which will simultaneously press the element’s surface and get rid of unnecessary air. Do this for each large sheet or after gluing a few smaller ones.

Cutting the Veneer Wallpaper

While whole sheets can be glued without any problem, sometimes you will need to make a necessary cut. What should you use for this? It depends on the thickness of the veneer. The thinnest elements, which are 1.5 mm, don’t require special accessories. You can manage with regular scissors. However, be careful with metal shears – their blades may cause uneven cuts in the hands of an inexperienced person. Thicker sheets can be cut with a miter saw or an angle grinder. Remember, to make a smooth cut, you need a diamond blade. Using a different blade may burn or chip the sheets!

To Grout or Not to Grout?

This depends on the room where you plan to install the stone veneer. If you are applying it on a wall in the living room or outdoors, you can easily glue it edge to edge without leaving a gap for grout. However, when preparing the veneer for tiles in a bathroom or kitchen, grout can be an additional element enhancing the aesthetic arrangement. In that case, use traditional methods for maintaining equal spacing between sheets. How precise the gaps will be depends on your concept and the style you want to achieve.

Stone Veneer vs Other Decorative Elements

How does the stone veneer compare to other materials? Stone sheets are often compared to stone slabs. Typically, the visual effect achieved when installing either material is similar. So why should you choose stone veneer? Compared to traditional stone slabs, veneer sheets are incredibly lightweight. Each square meter of this product weighs about 1.5 kg. If you choose marble for the wall, be prepared for each square meter of such material to exceed 140 kg. Both transport and installation are, therefore, troublesome.

What about the method of installing veneer compared to other materials? Large stone slabs are usually installed by specialized teams. This significantly increases the cost of the entire project. The same applies to ceramic tiles. Laying large-format tiles (usually installed on floors) costs well over 100 PLN per square meter. Additionally, there is the cost of materials for application. In the case of stone veneer, you can handle the gluing yourself. You will only need:

• Level;
• Pencil;
• Scissors or grinder;
• Pressure roller;
• Measuring tape;
• Brush for impregnation and varnishing.

As you can see, there are no additional installation costs for this product. Of course, if you don't have the time for it, you can always choose to get help from a professional.

Stone Veneer in Our Online Store!

In our offer, you will also find the innovative natural Slate-Lite stone veneer, which consists of a very thin layer of natural stone and a carrier reinforced with cotton or fiberglass. Despite its lightness, these sheets retain the impression and appearance of solid rock.

Thin Slate-Lite stone veneers are timeless and versatile in arrangements, both in private settings and in the business sector. These veneers can be used indoors, outdoors, and in wet rooms. There are almost no limitations for your ideas – using them as a real stone facade for your house is not a problem – Slate-Lite stone veneer will perform excellently in this role. There are also no obstacles to using it as a fireplace lining, as this veneer has a fire class of C-s3d0 according to DIN 13501-01 and class C according to American standards in the fire-resistant version.

Moreover, the UltraThin eco+ product range has a cotton mat on the back, which allows it to be shaped in three dimensions. Despite 100% natural stone surface, it is possible to wrap complicated shapes or difficult edges.

Additionally, the products from the Translucent series feature undeniable uniqueness – thanks to the use of a semi-transparent carrier material, the surface of the sheet can shine with a light source behind it. With proper backlighting, it is possible to create exceptional arrangements that add warmth to the interior.

Stone veneers impress not only with their natural colors and surface texture but also with ease of processing. Due to their small thickness and application, Slate-Lite sheets are extremely flexible, which allows them to be used on arches. These veneers weigh only 1.5 kg/m², which greatly reduces transport effort. Furthermore, no special tools are needed for their processing – standard tools for stone or wood processing are sufficient.

Available formats: from 120x61 cm to large-format sheets of 260x120 cm.