StonePly Co. gets this question at least once a day.  Depending on whether the project is interior or exterior will typically dictate what type of backing to use and the installation method needed.

 Interior Use

If the stone panel project is interior, then StonePly stone panels on aluminum composite material backing (ACM) is ideal.  This is the thinnest solution and will maximize your interior space.  StonePly stone panels laminated to ACM backing is only 1/4″ thick which makes it ideal for interior use.  StonePly ACM can be installed easily by a two man crew using the adhesive method.  Structural silicone, such as Dow 795, adheres StonePly ACM stone panels to most wall substrates.  It can even be used over most existing wall treatments.

Stone with ACM Backing

This doesn’t mean StonePly HoneyComb (HC) backing can’t be used for interior use.  If StonePly stone panels are to be used as elevator cladding, StonePly HC would be used because it is non-combustable.  StonePly HC Stone Panels can be attached to most substrates using any of the installation methods including: adhesion, z-clip, concealed screw, or interlocking channel.

Exterior Use

The most common solution for exterior use StonePly stone panels is StonePly HoneyComb (HC) because the HC backing has many more advantages over StonePly aluminum composite material (ACM) backing.  StonePly HC acts as a radiant heat barrier.  The stone deflects the heat from the sun and the honeycomb deflects heat or air from escaping from the building.  The aluminum honeycomb acts like a thermos.  It keeps the heat inside and deflects the cold.

Stone on Honeycomb Backing

There are several methods of installation for StonePly HC panels.  For a detailed list of methods along with installation instructions please see StonePly’s installation page.

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StonePly offers three types of backing substrates to strengthen thin stone panels.

1. StonePly HC is an aluminum backing shaped like a honeycomb matrix. This is the strongest and most rigid backing StonePly offers. StonePly HC is perfect for exterior stone cladding panels. The Z Clip , plate and screw, or interlocking channel methods for installation make these honeycomb panels strong, lightweight, and easy to install. StonePly HC has an impact strength up to 60x greater than 1.5” stone. StonePly HC can be 3/4” – 1” thick. The thicker the StonePly HC backing that is used, the more flexural strength the panel will have.

Stone with Honeycomb Back

2. StonePly ACM is a thin aluminum composite material that is laminated to the back of a natural thin stone panel. StonePly ACM is easy to install by adhering the composite panels to the surface using structural silicone. This backing substrate is good for interior applications and furniture. StonePly ACM is only ¼” thick. The thicker the StonePly ACM is, the more flexural strength the entire panel unit will have.

Stone with ACM Backing

3. StonePly Translucent is made of glass or polycarbonate and is laminated to stones that are translucent. This allows translucent stones such as onyx and marble to be back lit. These composite translucent panels are great for light coves, lighted columns, windows, and bar tops. StonePly Translucent varies in thickness depending on the thickness and size of the stone panels its being laminated to.

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StonePly® is designed for use as cladding on exterior and interior walls, soffits, fascias, cornices, canopies, accent bands, elevator cabs, counter tops, and furniture. StonePly® can be used on most building types including in retail, hotels, office towers, casinos, medical facilities, low rise buildings, high rise buildings, condos, and educational buildings.

StonePly® is a fabricated stone panel system that utilizes a composite panel made by adhering a thin natural stone layer to an aluminum honeycomb, aluminum composite, poly-carbonate, or glass substrate with aviation epoxies. The thin stone layer attached to a lightweight substrate allows StonePly® stone panel cladding to be attached almost anywhere on the building including on ceilings and high rise buildings.

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StonePly® offers a lightweight, durable solution to heavy, thick stone panels. The thin stone panels adhered to honeycomb or aluminum composite material backing allows them to be stronger and lighter than a typical thick stone panel.Installation will be faster and easier because of the stone panels light weight design.Thin stone panels adhered to an aluminum backing weigh about 3.5 pounds per square foot.

Because of the ability of StonePly® to flex without breaking, is ideally suited for use in seismic zones. Unlike rigid stone panels, StonePly® can accept a considerable amount of bending forces and vibration without cracking or breaking.

StonePly®, unlike solid stone, stands up the large missile impact test. With an impact resistance that is up to 60x greater than 1.5″ granites, it holds up to flying debris and protects the building that it is cladding. This makes thin stone panels a great alternative to thick stone panels in areas prone to hurricanes and tropical storms.

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