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.

The post StonePly Stone Panel System: Technical Characteristics appeared first on Stone Panel Information.

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.

The post Natural Stone for Building Cladding: Classification and Terminology appeared first on Stone Panel Information.

Split faced limestone cladding from StonePly

The Best System of Stone Cladding
Being the best system of stone cladding in the world is no easy task. It takes a precise combination of materials, technology, and experience to create a system of stone cladding that delivers strength, durability, and beauty.

Making Stone Cladding Panels
StonePly stone cladding systems are a combination of stone and an aluminum substrate.  Creating the stone cladding system starts with the aluminum honeycomb panel. While some other stone cladding panel systems opt to use a resin base attached to the honeycomb panel, StonePly uses aluminum instead. The addition of the aluminum provides more protection in the form of a non-combustible backing on the stone cladding panel.

The result of this combination is that the stone cladding is lightweight but has 60 times the impact strength of solid granite. Yet, the stone cladding can look like any natural stone. That’s because the natural stone of your choice is attached to this aluminum honeycomb panel. The result is strength, rigidity, beauty, and weather resistance.

The StonePly Stone Cladding Panel Advantage
StonePly can also lay claim to the best system of stone cladding because it has the test results to back it up. To ensure the best possible stone cladding, the panels have been tested against various wind speeds.  The result has been that the stone cladding panels are large missile impact resistant because of their exceptional strength.

Beyond wind resistance, the stone cladding is also tested against earthquakes and other weather conditions like rain to ensure that every panel can meet the rigorous conditions that they will be put through after being applied to various commercial structures.

StonePly stone cladding goes through an intensive quality inspection throughout its manufacturing process, including:
•    Natural stone selection from quarry blocks to cutting, polishing, honing and finishing;
•    Shop drawings and samples; and
•    Final stone cladding panel.
To reach the position of best stone cladding system, ongoing testing and engineering are required.

Atlantis Resort Interior

Case Study of Stone Cladding Panel Systems
This attention to detail and quality are recognized by clients all over the world. For example, The Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island in the Bahamas worked with StonePly to create the custom exterior for the lost city of Atlantis that was created at The Cove Atlantis and The Reef Atlantis. StonePly was selected for this project because previous experience with its stone cladding revealed that it had the durability to survive many hurricanes, including a Category 5 hurricane.

StonePly’s stone cladding system has been used on both the interior and exterior of the resort due to its strength, ease of installation, a look that would blend with the resort’s tropical feel and low maintenance. The stone cladding system delivered on all requirements as well as offered a luxurious appearance that matches the resort’s image.

The Best Choice for Stone Cladding Systems
StonePly is your partner for the finest architectural stone cladding panels in the world. Clients like the Atlantis Resort can attest to the quality and service StonePly delivers. To find out what StonePly can do for your project, call us at 903.454.4630 or fill out our contact form.

The post The Best System of Stone Cladding appeared first on Stone Panel Information.

While some stone panel manufacturers use fiberglass skinned honeycomb for the back panel of their product, StonePly uses a solid sheet of aluminum honeycomb for its lightweight natural stone panels. What is the difference and why does it matter?

• Natural stone panel installation is relatively straightforward with StonePly since you can attach a screw anywhere on the back of a panel. With fiberglass skins you have to predetermine the exact location of every epoxy set nut.
• With StonePly’s aluminum backing, attachment of an anchor takes seconds with a screw gun. With fiberglass, each anchor requires drilling, mixing, and filling. The epoxy must be allowed to set overnight.
• Aluminum is very strong and resistant to impacts. With polymer or plastic skinned honeycomb panels, the panel will often flex or become deformed when an impact occurs. These types of panels will also transfer the majority of the impact energy directly to the stone.
• Aluminum is not affected by extreme heat. In temperatures ranging from a super cold –238°F to a blistering +302°F, the material characteristics remain constant. The scorching temperatures of sun-baked cladding can distort products made with polymers.
• Aluminum is one of the most abundant elements on earth.
• Aluminum is completely recyclable. The life of a StonePly natural stone panel lasts virtually forever. Once our stone panels have given you years of dependable service, they can be profitably recycled. This helps meet environmental responsibilities and eliminates the rising costs of disposal and insurance for flammable plastic skinned honeycomb.
• Aluminum uses no petroleum products in its manufacture. Polymer or plastic skinned panels use petroleum as the main ingredient.
• Aluminum is impervious to the degrading effects of UV rays. Polymer or plastic skinned honeycomb can become discolored and brittle as a result of UV exposure and age.
• Aluminum faced honeycomb can be engineered to handle any amount of weight, and does not melt or become distorted when in extreme heat environments.
• Some engineered plastic can present a significant fire hazard, and can release toxic gasses in the event of a fire.

For More StonePly Information

The aluminum honeycomb backing we use for our natural stone panels is just one of the many aspects of our product that sets it apart from similar natural stone panels and traditional stone cladding. To learn more about natural stone panel applications and some of our successful stone panel projects, visit the StonePly website. If you still have questions or concerns after reviewing our online resources or would like to discuss placing an order, please call us at 903-454-4630 or fill out the brief form on the contact page of our site. We are always happy to speak with prospective clients, and custom estimates and initial consultations are provided free of charge.

The post Advantages of Aluminum as a Backing Material For Stone Panels appeared first on Stone Panel Information.