Jamestown properties, Atlanta, GA

White Calcutta Marble 

Bring the beauty and drama of backlit natural stone to your project. At StonePly Translucent, we take natural stone; marble, onyx, quartz and bond it to glass. We slice and polish it with diamond tools until it is thin. At less than a quarter inch thick, the stone becomes translucent. When backlit, the breathtaking depth of the stone is revealed.

Here are 15 backlit stone to show you the light:

Bookmatched Onyx

Book matching stone involves slicing a slab into two and then opening it up, like a book, to create two panels that mirror one another.

Onyx Breccia with Ammonite Fossil

Made from golden onyx. The voids are filled with a resin matrix and then the stone is sliced thin and polished.

Honey Onyx

Onyx is made up of translucent calcite crystals and is formed in caves, much like stalactites. The bands are formed as the mineral deposits grow over thousands of years.

Agate Agglomerate Stone

The panel shows the interior crystals and banding of the geode and agate. To create this panel, geodes are embedded in a resin matrix and then sliced into slabs bonded to a glass backing.

Agate Geode Stone

Crystals and geodes form a fascinating backlit stone that allows you to peer into the hidden beauty of the stone. The stone is an agglomerate of geodes and crystals.

Jade Green

The green color is from the mineral serpentine. Treasured for it beautiful green color, serpentine is formed from magnesium rich rocks. The Romans named the stone for its resemblance to a snake’s skin and its supposed ability to cure venomous snakebites.

Smoky Quartz

Pink Rose Quartz

White Marble with Blue Lighting

By changing the color of the backlighting, you can change the appearance of the marble.

White Onyx

Onyx is one of the more translucent of stones and backlights well. Illuminated onyx is great for furniture, feature walls, bar tops and fronts and custom light fixtures.

White Quartz Stone with Ammonite fossil

Ammonites were ancient sea creatures similar to the chambered nautilus. Over time, the voids in the shells filled with minerals that formed transparent crystals. Since they are a product of nature, all panels are unique.

Golden Tesserae

Suspended in a dark gray matrix create an effect similar to stained glass.

Translucent Pebbles in a grey resin matrix.

Rose Onyx

Lighting StonePly

It’s important to consider the application, translucency of the stone and  available space when designing a backlit stone surface. In most cases, Translucent Stoneply works with LED lights. They offer a long life, little or no heat and a compact size.  

To find out more about Translucent StonePly, visit stoneply.com, email info@stoneply.com or call 903-454 4630.

About StonePly

StonePly is the leading stone on aluminum honeycomb panel manufacturer. To meet its commitment to provide “any stone form anywhere in the world” StonePly maintains a global network of procurement in Europe, South America, Asia, Africa and the stone quarrying centers of the world. Offices, manufacturing and warehousing facilities are in Greenville, TX. Family owned and operated for over 25 years, StonePly is the oldest stone on aluminum honeycomb panel manufacturer and supplier under the same ownership.  Clients and commissions include NASA, The US Nuclear Regulatory Agency, US National Park Service, Rolex, Hyatt, Disney, Atlantis Resort, Four Seasons and others.

The post 15 Backlit stones for StonePly Transparent Backing appeared first on Stone Panel Information.

StonePly is a high performance facade and cladding panel, made up of natural stone facing and aluminum honeycomb backing. The panels resist natural disasters and high impacts, while also providing the ability to flex under heavy loads.

Tornadoes:

The Challenge: In an average year, there are more than 1,200 tornadoes in the USA. These tornadoes blow through with winds as high as 200 miles per hour and result in over 1,500 injuries, 100 fatalities, and billions in property damage each year.

The Solution: StonePly has been engineered to tornadic wind speeds and wind loads.

Hurricanes:

The Challenge: In an average year, there are ten tropical storms. Six of which become hurricanes.

Along the coasts, hurricanes cause billions of dollars in damage each year. Over 50% of the US population lives in hurricane affected areas.

The Solution: StonePly has proven itself hurricane resistant on construction projects all along the Gulf Coast region, from Texas to Florida and into the Caribbean. The Atlantis Project in the Caribbean features over 120,000 square feet of StonePly and has withstood six hurricanes. StonePly has been engineered, tested and approved for high wind areas and has passed large missile impact testing for wind borne debris.

Thunderstorms and Hail:

The Challenge: Thunderstorms with hail and high winds cause damages totaling in the billions of dollars per year.

The Solution: StonePly has been tested and proven hail impact resistant.

 Floods:

The Challenge: Flooding makes up over 75% of the federally declared disasters and is the most common disaster event in the United States. Facades must be able to resist both storm surges and potential submergence, often over long periods, at the ground level.

The Solution: StonePly can be submerged for extended periods, even years. The panels contain no wood or paper to rot. StonePly panels have been submerged for over 10 years without adverse effects.

 Fires and Wildfires:

The Challenge: In 2012, some 38 wildfires produced 1.1 billion in economic losses. In cities, building fires are a major concern.

The Solution: StonePly is a noncombustible. StonePly is inherently non-combustible both on the face, which is natural stone, but also – and this is important – on the backside of the panel, the side that faces the building. Some competitors use fiber glass or plastic backings for their stones. StonePly never does. Unlike competitor’s panels, the back of our panels is non-combustible aluminum. Both faces offer a 0 flame spread and great fire resistance.

Earthquakes:

The Challenge: Earthquakes pose a serious risk in California, Hawaii and Alaska, but they also affect many eastern and Midwestern regions. Every year there are 5,000 seismic events with 400 earthquakes large enough to cause damage to buildings. Traditional stone cladding is vulnerable to earthquakes.

The Solution: StonePly is proven, both in the laboratory and in the field to be able to handle extreme building movement, bending, twisting and racking forces. The aluminum honeycomb reinforcement prevents breakage and falling components.

To meet all these challenges, you need an exterior cladding that’s able to resist the forces of nature. Ordinary natural stone cladding is inherently fragile. StonePly on the other hand, can resist impacts from windblown debris, flooding, earthquakes, and fire.

Thanks to its unique combination of strength, durability, beauty, and ductility, StonePly is the ideal cladding panel for stone facades wherever disasters may strike. If you need testing data or assistance with detailing StonePly, samples or specifications, give us a call at 903-454-4630.

We are here to help.

The post StonePly and Resilient Facades appeared first on Stone Panel Information.

The Challenge of Designing a Blast Resistant Stone Facade

It’s an unfortunate fact of life today that buildings are at risk due to terrorism. In a fraction of a second, explosives in a parked car can destroy the face of a building. When designing a building enclosure or facade, the impact of blasts is a force to be considered. This is especially true when designing facades for courthouses, hospitals, government buildings and other high risk facilities. In a blast event, the shock wave of the blast striking the facade cladding can be mitigated by stopping flying debris and absorbing the blast energy. So how do you design a stone facade to be blast resistant? Following are some solutions to the challenge.

Ductile Stone Cladding for Blast Resistant Building Envelopes

In blast resistant cladding and building envelopes, a greater emphasis is placed on ductile behavior of a cladding in response to blast loading. StonePly, with its aluminum honeycomb is an excellent material to consider, since by its very nature it is ductile. Even though it presents a stone facade to the world, the aluminum backing means that StonePly bends and deforms elastically prior to failing. In a blast, StonePly cladding panels perform much better than slab stone. This is because StonePly has capacity both in tension and in compression, where ordinary stone cladding only has capacity in compression. This means StonePly stone panels are up to 60 times more impact resistant than granite or marble slab panels.

Preventing and Stopping Flying Debris with Stone Ply Facade Panels

In a blast, flying fragments can cause as much or more harm than the explosion itself. So how do you avoid fragmentation of stone cladding and the creation of flying debris? Designers of blast resistant buildings are using architectural elements and cladding that do not fragment during an explosion. With StonePly, the entire stone is bonded to a ductile aluminum panel. In lower level blast events, the blast energy is absorbed as the panel flexes under the shock wave and then returns to normal. Under a higher level blast, the stone may fracture, but the aluminum panel, acts as a safety net. Much like in a car wreck when the laminated safety glass holds the pieces of broken glass together, the aluminum holds the stone pieces together.

Slowing Impact Time to Reduce Blast Effects on the Building Structure

A large bomb blast pushes the stone face of the StonePly cladding inward. The aluminum honeycomb panel goes into tension, and the cells of the aluminum honeycomb act as thousands of crumple zones as they absorb the blast energy. By the panels flexing under the load some energy is absorbed and dissipated.  In addition, the individual honeycomb cells act as little airbags to further absorb the impact.  By slowing the impact time you reduce the force of the impact.

Anyone who has ever hit a bubble wrap padded surface versus a solid concrete surface with their hand understands that while the padding (by slowing the impact time) reduces the damage to your hand, it also reduces the damage to whatever is behind the padding and reduces the impact force applied to it. It is the same principle as an airbag or crumple zones in a car. When it comes to cladding and blast resistance, the ideal cladding is one that can resist smaller blast loads, but when they blast loads become very large, can crumple and deform in an energy absorbing manner, to reduce the blast load on the structure and to prevent flying debris. While StonePly panels flex and bounce back from smaller blast pressures, under extreme blast pressures, the StonePly honeycomb cells crumple like little airbags. Like the crumple zones and airbags of a car protect the driver from the crash impact, the StonePly cladding of the building envelope softens the impact and protects the buildings structure and its occupants from the full force of the blast.

The importance of the StonePly slowing the blast impact down can be explained mathematically.  Newton’s second law may be written as mΔv=Ft where m is the mass, Δv is the change in speed, F is the average force, and t is the time during which F acts. So the longer you can make the collision time when the blasts shock wave strikes the buildings cladding, by crumple zones, flexing and air cells (the t in the equation), the smaller the F (the blast waves force transferred to the building) will be.

With their high impact strength, ductile nature and energy absorbing cell structure, StonePly panels can form an important component of a complete system of blast resistant cladding for your building enclosure and the protection of its occupants.

Fire Resistant and Blast Resistant Cladding

In a blast event, fire is an added concern. Conventional bombs and explosives rely of the rapid oxidation of a fuel to create an explosion and fire. Fire and smoke can be as deadly and damaging as the initial blast.  Stone Ply offers a non-combustible stone face, with a 0 flame spread surfaces, both on the stone front side and the non-combustible aluminum back. In ASTM standard testing, StonePly resisted over 240 minutes of direct flame against the panel face without any penetration or any burning through. In addition, in the flame exposure test, the back of panel never reached temperatures over 160 degrees, protecting materials behind the exterior building envelope from heat and flame.

And unlike some cladding materials, which have only one side non-combustible, StonePly offers a non-combustible front and back. In the event of a blast where flame penetrates the cladding and into the drainage cavity, StonePly features a non-combustible, 0 flame spread, aluminum back.

A Rich Selection of Stone Colors are Available for Blast Resistant Cladding

Blast resistant stone facades can be beautiful. Compared to ordinary stone veneer cladding, you get the same natural stone exterior but in a stronger, ductile and 60 times higher impact strength panel. StonePly cladding panels are available in natural granite, marble, limestone, onyx and travertine. The blast resistance and strength of the panel are derived from the back of the panel, the aluminum honeycomb core. The stone that is selected for the exterior face has little or no effect on the blast resistance, so the architect designing the facade is free to select from a rich palette of stones from around the world.

Designing for Blast Resistance vs Traditional Building Enclosure Design

Blast designs involve a building enclosure built to withstand a high pressure over a very short period and in a relatively concentrated area. Traditional cladding and building enclosure designs require façades to resist lower pressures and more uniformly distributed loads. Wind loads apply pressure to the facade over extended periods and repeatedly (day after day, year after year). Blast loads are onetime events, with a concentrated load over a small area. The total force acting on the entire building envelope from a 30psf wind load (1.44 kPa) can be much higher than the smaller, but more concentrated load from a blast. The blast creates a concentrated load on a few facade panels, but the smaller but concentrated pressure wave can exert much higher pressures per square foot.

The higher impact resistance of StonePly cladding allows it to resist concentrated impacts 60 times better than a solid granite slab cladding.

The Next Step

If you have questions or need assistance with stone cladding design details or blast resistant stone cladding, please contact us. We are happy to help.

The post Designing a Blast Resistant Stone Cladding appeared first on Stone Panel Information.

THE STONE SELECTION

“Designers have a mental image of the stone look they want, but actually describing it is another story. And sometimes they won’t know it until they see it. A good stone façade provider is going to listen, interpret what you’re asking for and provide samples and suggestions. We help with finding the best stone, finish, attachment and detailing that works with the actual building you are designing.

StonePly offers the world’s largest selection of natural stone on honeycomb backing, and that makes the process of finding “the perfect stone” easier. We have stone from quarries all over the world, including some stones that are exclusive only to StonePly. Our goal is to help you find the ideal balance of a stone that is flattering to your particular design, durable and cost effective. If you have a particular stone in mind, we can start the process there. Providing a picture of a stone you like is a huge help too.”

White Carrara

Impala Black

Indiana Limestone

Perlato Svevo

THE ATTACHMENT

“StonePly makes stone panel attachment easier, stronger and safer. With the StonePly system, there are options in stone panel attachment and we like to show designers those choices and help them select the one that is best for the façade of their particular project. Do they need insulation behind the stone panels? Do they want a hurricane resistant stone cladding? Will it be an open joint rain screen cladding or a sealed joint system? Or does your project have a really unusual condition that needs a custom attachment method? We help you work through all that.”

Z-clip installation for StonePly panels

The concealed screw attachment method for StonePly panels

THE SURFACE FINISH

“The surface finish of the stone can make a huge difference in the appearance of the stone. Your options for stone surface finishes used to be limited to just polished or honed. Now there is sandblasted, flamed, waterjet and a host of other stone finishes available. You want a supplier who can offer you all of those finish options and who will work with you to find the best finish for your stone panel project. StonePly can do that and we are here to help.”

Polished Granite

Sandblasted Granite

Shop StonePly selection of stone panels here.

View Stone Façade specifications here.

Need assistance with your particular project or have a question? We are here to help. You can fill out our contact form or call one of our very informative specialists at 903-454-4630.

The post HOW TO: GET A GREAT LOOKING STONE FAÇADE FOR YOUR PROJECT appeared first on Stone Panel Information.

1. THE COLOR

Stones run the gamut from light to dark and all colors in between. Keep in mind that dark stones can get very hot to the touch in full sun. In areas where people can touch the stone, a black or dark brown stone may not be a good choice.

White Carrara

Impala Black

2. SURFACE FINISH

How a stone appears depends upon color, pattern and reflectivity. Color is made up of reflected light and the texture of the stone’s surface affects that. Polished stones tend to be darker, while sandblasted or flamed stones appear lighter. A black granite may appear deep black when polished, light gray when honed and an even paler shade of gray when flamed. When selecting cladding stones, make sure you see both the stone and the finish before you decide.

Polished Granite

3. PATTERN

Some stone a homogeneous in pattern. Others have a strong pattern or veining. When installed, the pattern should all run the same direction. Make sure to get this one right, or you could wind up with a hodgepodge of a pattern.

4. DON’T CRACK UP

When designing a façade, keep in mind that ordinary slabs can shatter and fall in a high wind, seismic or hail condition. StonePly features an aluminum honeycomb backing that is bonded to every square inch of the stone. It’s hurricane proof, large missile impact resistant and earthquake resistant.

Even in hurricanes, even in earthquakes.

5. HAVE A STRONG ATTACHMENT

The cladding panel should be permanently bonded to an aluminum honeycomb and fastened to the structure. Unlike ordinary slab connections that are only at the edges, StonePly connections are fast, super secure and engineered to last.

Aluminum Honeycomb Backing

Now that you know what to look for and design for in stone cladding project, here are a few projects to look at.

Attachment details can be found at Details

Specifications are available at Specs

For assistance with a particular design or attachment question, we are here and eager to help.

The post How to: FIND THE PERFECT STONE FOR YOUR CLADDING PROJECT appeared first on Stone Panel Information.

Travertines are one of the more popular stones for cladding applications. The pitted and layered appearance has been attractive to designers and architects since ancient times. Travertines have a stratified appearance as they are formed by the overlapping of horizontal stone layers. The stone has a number of small holes more or less parallel to the direction of the bedding layers. Travertine is prized as a wall cladding for its undulating layered pattern of bedding and its natural voids. The layered appearance is accentuated by the pitting which varies in size and frequency. Italy is source for the best known varieties of travertine, but travertines are also quarried in Mexico, Turkey and elsewhere around the world.

Italian White Travertine or Travertine Bianco is the primary white travertine quarried in Italy. Due to the small number of quarrying areas and their limited production, the availability of white travertine varieties for exterior or interior cladding projects can be fairly limited. Thanks to the efficiency of the StonePly process, more cladding can be produced with less stone and that helps ensure an adequate supply of travertine for any sized project. Other travertines include Silver, Walnut, Golden and Roman.

Travertino Romano Travertine (Beige Travertine)

Quarry blocks from the travertine quarries are generally medium-sized. From these blocks StonePly panels are produced as 4′ by 8′ panels or in sizes custom produced for your application. The travertine face of the StonePly panels is typically 1/4″ thick with a backing of either 1/2″ or 3/4″ aluminum honeycomb. The panel weight is around 3.4 lbs per sq ft. For some special applications a fiberglass backing or an aluminum composite backing can be used. The StonePly travertine on aluminum honeycomb cladding panels offer 60 times the impact strength of ordinary travertine, are able to resist hurricane force winds, large missile impact testing and seismic racking.

Applications

Travertine StonePly panels are suitable for cladding and wall panels for both interiors and exteriors. Despite the pitting, travertine is surprisingly resistant to freeze thaw and StonePly’s travertine cladding panels are suitable for use in freezing weather and appropriate for all climates. Ordinary travertine panels are porous to water and, when used as a cladding, they can leak rain into the wall cavity. StonePly travertine panels have a solid sheet of aluminum behind them that makes them impervious to the passage of moisture.

The surface of travertine wall panels and cladding is generally either polished or honed. When used as a flooring, travertine should be filled to avoid dirt collecting in the voids. This can be done at the factory and involves filling the voids with a resin and stone powder or a cementitious stone filler.

Testing and Standards for Travertine Panels

StonePly travertine panels are tested to various standards including UL, ASTM standards and ICC/IRC or IBC (International Building Code) standards. Testing has also been done to confirm compliance with the International Residential Code and International Fire Code standards.

StonePly also offers extensive testing data to Canadian standards. For our European clients, StonePly offers testing to UK (BS), Italian, European Standards and other testing standards. Engineering is available for the panels and their attachments for cladding, curtain wall or other applications.

Some of the ASTM standards and specifications that apply to travertine cladding include:

ASTM 330-02 Standard Test Method for Structural Performance of Curtain Walls

ASTM E1996-05B Specifications for Performance of Impact Protective Systems Impacted by Windborne Debris in Hurricanes

ASTM C1527 / C1527M-11Standard Specification for Travertine Dimension Stone

ASTM C97/C97M Test Methods for Absorption and Bulk Specific Gravity of Dimension Stone

ASTM C99/C99M Test Method for Modulus of Rupture of Dimension Stone
ASTM C119 Terminology Relating to Dimension Stone
ASTM C170/C170M Test Method for Compressive Strength of Dimension Stone
ASTM C241/C241M Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Stone Subjected to Foot Traffic
ASTM C1528 Guide for Selection of Dimension Stone

Large Missile Impact Testing:  Large missile impact tests involve firing a weighted 2 X 4 at the stone cladding panel. The test simulates the impact of large windborne debris, such as wood framing, tree limbs, posts and other large objects. The test involves impact followed by severe pressure cycling. The StonePly panel passed, while the ordinary stone slab control was broken and failed.

Small Missile Impact Testing: The small missile impact test simulates smaller wind-borne debris, such as hail or roof gravel. The cladding panel must resist windborne debris followed by severe pressure cycling.

Testing information is available here.

In architectural specifications, StonePly Travertine Cladding may be specified under:

SECTION 07420 NATURAL STONE REINFORCED PANELS (EXTERIOR)

SECTION 09452 NATURAL STONE REINFORCED PANELS (INTERIOR)

These specifications are available here.

If your project involves travertine cladding, wall panels, travertine elevator panels or other applications where a super strong, lightweight and easy to install travertine panel would be appropriate, contact us. Our specialists are available to help you with details, pricing, specifications or other questions you may have.

The post Guide to StonePly Lightweight Travertine Panels for Stone Cladding and Wall Panels appeared first on Stone Panel Information.

About Stone Ply for Airplane Interiors

At first glance, stone on an airplane sounds like an extravagant idea. But consider this; StonePly weighs about the same as plywood, it’s non-combustible and beautiful. So thanks to the strength and lightweight properties of StonePly, airplane designers are able to use the exquisite beauty and quality of natural stone on private and corporate jets.

Designers, manufacturers and outfitters of custom airplane interiors for private and corporate jets have found StonePly to be a useful way to introduce the high end appeal of stone to their projects. StonePly offers a lightweight, strong and attractive real stone finish for airplane galleys, lavatories, flooring and tables. And in addition to the beauty and uniqueness of natural stone panels for aircraft interiors, StonePly also offers custom marble and granite insets, medallions and logos for use on airplane floors, tables and partitions.

Testing StonePly for Aircraft Interiors

The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires certain materials be fire tested. This following is a brief summary of Stone Ply’s test results and flame resistance abilities.  For additional information on testing of aircraft materials, refer to the “Aircraft Materials Fire Test Handbook” for a description of all FAA-required fire test methods for aircraft materials.

Fire Resistance of StonePly Lightweight Stone Panel for Aircraft Interiors

StonePly offers designers of aircraft interiors a non flammable panel made up of a thin stone face bonded to a non flammable aluminum back panel with an aluminum honeycomb core. The materials are bonded together with a thin layer of high strength epoxy.

Airplane Interior Test: Vertical Bunsen Burner Test for Cabin and Cargo Compartment Materials

Result: Passed

StonePly meets or exceeds the requirements of the test. The tested StonePly aluminum honeycomb backed stone panels:

• Did not ignite
• Did not flame
• Did not drip
• Did not spread flame

Scope: This is a test for airplane interior finishes. This FAA test method is intended for use in determining the resistance of materials to flame when tested according to the 60-second and 12-second Vertical Bunsen Burner Tests specified in Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) 25.853 and FAR 25.855.

Samples were 3/4″ StonePly (1/4″ stone face and 1/2″ aluminum honeycomb), 2″ by 12″ samples. Both marble on aluminum honeycomb panels and granite on aluminum honeycomb panels were tested. The StonePly stone panels were exposed to the flame from a 3/8-inch Bunsen burner with a 1550°F minimum flame temperature for 60 seconds.

Result: No ignition, flaming, dripping or spread of flame. 

StonePly Aluminum Honeycomb Stone Panel Testing: Vertical Bunsen Burner Test for Cabin and Cargo Compartment Materials

In the above test, the StonePly stone/aluminum honeycomb panel did not ignite, flame, drip or spread flame.

Airplane Interior Test: 45-Degree Bunsen Burner Test for Cargo Compartment Liners and Waste Stowage Compartment Materials

Result: Passed

This is a test for airplane interior finish materials used in cargo compartments. It is a similar test to the vertical test listed above, except for the angle of the panel. StonePly panels meet or exceeds the requirements of the 45- Degree Bunsen Burner Test. Both granite on aluminum honeycomb and marble on aluminum honeycomb panels were tested. When tested, StonePly:

• Did not burn
• Flame did not penetrate any of the specimens
• Glow time of less than 1.5 seconds was less than the 10 second standard to pass

Airplane Interior Test: Horizontal Bunsen Burner Test for Cabin, Cargo Compartment, and Miscellaneous Materials

This test method is intended for use in determining the resistance of materials to flame when tested according to the 15-second horizontal Bunsen burner tests specified in FAR 25.853. In this test, materials for airplane interiors are subjected to the flame of a Bunsen burner. StonePly granite on aluminum honeycomb and marble on aluminum honeycomb panels were tested.

Result: Passed.

Burn Rate – 0

• Did not ignite
• Did not flame
• Did not drip
• Did not spread flame

Conclusion

StonePly is safe for use in aircraft interiors.

If you have questions about attachments details or stone varieties available, contact StonePly.

The post StonePly Stone Panels: Testing for Aircraft Interiors appeared first on Stone Panel Information.

Fire Performance of StonePly Stone Cladding Panels

StonePly stone cladding panels are an inherently safe material and highly resistant to fire.

If you are considering stone cladding for your building project, the ability of the cladding panels to resist fire is a key factor. While stone is non combustible, ordinary 3 cm thick slab stone performs poorly when exposed to fire. The heat can cause slabs to crack and lead to anchor failure. Thin stone on aluminum honeycomb with a combustible fiberglass backing also performs poorly, since the combustible backing can lead to cavity fires. StonePly has a thin stone face on aluminum honeycomb with a non combustible aluminum backing that performs well. The stone face will not burn. The back panel is aluminum and is also non combustible. In addition to not burning, the continuous bond between the aluminum honeycomb and the stone prevents the stone from shattering and creating large falling debris when exposed to a fire.

UK Fire Regulations and Stone Cladding

In the UK, the Building Regulations Document B defines the minimum fire safety requirements of building elements or components. Since StonePly is made up primarily of stone and aluminum, it easily complies with the fire regulations.

Following are some points to consider when specifying stone wall cladding systems:

• Cladding materials with a class 0 flame spread should be specified. StonePly stone cladding panels for the building envelope meet the requirements of class 0 (Zero flame spread).
• Cladding panels and systems that achieve a grade AA should be used for roofing. StonePly panels achieve grade AA.
• Avoid products that do not have a class 0 / non combustible back panel. If fire can find its way into the void space behind the cladding, a combustible backing to a cladding can allow the fire to quickly spread undetected inside the airspace cavity behind the panels. StonePly panels have a non combustible aluminum back. 

British Standard Tests for Fire Performance: The BS 476 series

BS 476 Part 3. Surface spread of flame and fire penetration

An external fire exposure test for roofs. The performance requirements for external roof coverings is specified in approved Document B. It varies by location of the building in relation to how close the building is to its relevant boundary. Roof products which meet the requirements of European Class AA can be used without restriction to closeness to the boundary.

Similar to the burning brand test, the BS 476 part 3, simulates the effect of burning material falling on to a roof from an adjacent building. StonePly stone panels meet the requirements of AA (the best rating). The first A designates the resistance to flame spread (no flame spread) and the second A (the best rating) signifies the panels resistance to penetration or burn through by fire (no burn through).

BS 476 Part 4.  Non Combustibility

Both the stone face of the StonePly panel and the aluminum back are rated as non combustible.

BS 476 Part 6. Fire propagation

The test measures the rate of heat release during combustion. Being non-combustible, StonePly successfully passes the test.

BS 476 Part 7. Surface spread of flame

A test of the spread of flame across the surface of a material. StonePly has a 0 flame spread and achieves a class 1 (the best rating) on both the stone face and the aluminum back of the panel.

BS 476 part 11 Test for Combustibility 

Tests for combustibility and measure the heat emission from the product in a 750 C furnace. Both the inner and outer face of StonePly are classified as non combustible.

For more information

Contact us with any questions. We are here to help.

The post StonePly UK appeared first on Stone Panel Information.

Natural stone building cladding from StonePly.

Selecting Stone for Cladding Panels: Technical Characteristics
Behind the incredible stone product created by StonePly are a significant number of technical characteristics that make up this versatile, durable, strong and beautiful material. Built to be lightweight while displaying characteristically beautiful natural stone, this fabricated stone wall panel system is made of a thin natural stone layer that is glued to an aluminum honeycomb substrate. Here, we reveal more about the technical characteristics to help you select stone for cladding panels.

Technical Characteristics of Cladding Panels
Depending where in the country or world you plan on installing the cladding panels, you should probably consider some of the technical characteristics to understand what type of benefit they really add to your construction or restoration project.

For example, in some parts of the country and world, structures can be hit with hurricanes, thunderstorms, high winds or tropical storms while other areas experience earthquakes from time to time. StonePly has undertaken rigorous lab testing on its cladding panels to determine what it can withstand.

The results are phenomenal. First, hurricane force winds are no match for this material. It has been able to stay intact in 200mph wind speeds as well as survive large missile impact at 50 feet per second when the same test shatters regular 1½” granite. The epoxy composite and adhesive technology used to bond the thin natural stone to the aluminum honeycomb substrate is the same used on aircraft that flies at mach speeds.

In terms of earthquakes, common stone cladding systems put too much strain on a building, causing greater risk for structural damage and an increase in the potential for accidents and even fatalities. Replacing that common stone cladding system after an earthquake can become very expensive. In contrast, the lightweight stone panel cladding system is resilient and has been found to withstand significant seismic activity.

When considering regular natural stone or StonePly cladding panels for your project, these technical characteristics clearly set StonePly apart as the material of choice. The technical characteristics listed online also provide further data on lab tests that illustrate the strength, durability, and fire retardant ability of this material.

Technical Knowledge Bank
Our online library of technical information also provides a wealth of detailed technical bulletins, which further illustrate how the technical characteristics offer further benefits in terms of low maintenance and minimal cleaning, the ease of chip and crack repairs, blast resistance, LEED certification, water and severe weather resistance and more.

Our technical information on installation also illustrates the ease at which you can work with our cladding panels, including a simple and effective installation system.

Get a Free Quote for Stone Panel Cladding
After considering these phenomenal technical characteristics, it is easy to see why StonePly should be your choice for your next cladding project. In addition to our extensive knowledge bank and team of experts, another incentive is that we provide free quotes for your stone panel cladding project. You can get your quote or additional information by calling 903.454.4630 or by filling out our contact form.

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StonePly offers natural stone cladding with versatile backing options.

Natural Stone for Building Cladding: Classification and Terminology

To better understand how natural stone can be used for building cladding it is important to understand how we classify it and the terminology associated with StonePly.

Classification System

Our classification system is based on three types of StonePly natural stone panels that we have available for your project. This includes the following:

•  Aluminum Honeycomb: It uses real stone in your choice of marble, limestone, travertine, granite or onyx that is then bonded to an aluminum honeycomb matrix. It is structurally sound and can be attached directly to the sheathed studwall.
• ACM: This is an aluminum composite that also uses your choice of natural stone. It is bonded to composite panels and is applied directly to a smooth surface.
• Translucent: This uses quarried stone that is then bonded to glass or polycarbonate. It can be used in walls, panels, or lighted bars.

Terminology

In order to understand how you can use StonePly natural stone, you may need to understand what some of our terminology means related to the customization process of our StonePly materials:

• Texture:  This describes what the stone cladding can feel like. For instance, it can be a smooth texture or it can be grooved, sawn, and bush hammered, for example.
• Natural Stone: This relates to the type of stone preferred that is available as a natural resource, including granite, limestone, and more.
• Color: This relates to the hue that is preferred for the stone so that it can match whatever cladding design is being used.

Other terminology is more technical and helps understand what sets StonePly natural panels apart from just relying on natural stone for building cladding:

• Cladding: This is a non-load-bearing stone veneer that is used as the stone facing material in wall construction. Stone cladding is designed as an envelope for the building rather than as structural support.
• Composite: This is a construction unit where stone is exposed as a final exterior finish and is permanently bonded or jointed to another material.
• Curtain Wall: This is a specific type of stone cladding that is supported by an anchoring system and used to protect a building from the elements.
• Honeycomb Backing: This is the aluminum reinforcing panel that looks like a honeycomb, providing a lightweight solution without compromising on strength and rigidity.
• Resin:  This is a chemical product that is clear to translucent yellow or brown and it can be solid or semisolid that is then used in some coating processes or treatments.

These are just some of the technical terms used in relation to building cladding. StonePly has a full glossary online that can help you understand everything there is to know about building cladding and StonePly products.

Using StonePly’s Stone Panels

No matter what type of stone you imagine using for your building cladding project, we can supply it for you as a lightweight, strong, and long-lasting solution. If you are looking for a cost-effective solution for adding stone panels to your project, now is the time to get a free estimate from us by calling 903.454.4630 or filling in our contact form.

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