About Real Stone Veneer

What Is It and Where Does It Come From?

Stone-Veneer® is a natural stone surface obtained from quarries around the world and is split from real slate. Different geographical locations result in the different colours.
The raw split surface of the slate and the interchanging colors of each stone layer are absolutely unique and a stimulation for the senses. Color and surface variations are quite normal and do not constitute a fault.

Natural slate has a content of minerals and metal oxidants which are not visible underneath the surface. Pressure can cause fractures. These fractures are also quite normal and do not constitute a fault.

Some quarries contain a high degree of quartz combined with the slate bedrock. We use the soft rock from various quarries and from these quarries we derive our Stone-Veneer® Quartzite
With different quarries having this quartz content with layers of silicate there are different color hues as seen in the Quartzite products, all with a natural glimmer and shine. Currently the available size of Quartzite is limited to a maximum size 24″ x 48″ +/- 0.2″ due to geological conditions in nature. It also requires a high degree of skill and additional “hands-on” labor to split. The natural structure of the Quartzite slate also gives it a rougher surface than slate.

All of these slate products are as natural as nature created millions of years ago. RICHTER does not create or add to any of the texture, coloration, pigmentations. This is why every piece is different in stratus, three dimensional accentuation and feel, graining and variances of color hues. Do not expect to “sequence” or match any two pieces for applications. Just as nature grows no two flowers alike there is no duplication of slate. Each piece has its own natural and individual beauty.

How Does The Slate Become Stone-Veneer® ?

We actually split the slate into very thin layers while applying a glass fiber reinforced polyester resin (GRP) for a strong bond producing the backing for the Stone-Veneer® sheets. Due to the high degree of adhesion accomplished between the slate and the GRP, the product now becomes stable and somewhat flexible. With the application of different backers the range of applications for Stone- Veneer® increase.

What Is Sandstone and Where Does It Come From?

Sandstone is a sedimentary rock consisting of grains of sand which mainly contain quartz. It is mined from sand pits in Northern Germany. Once mined the sand is bonded vertically with thermoplastic binders onto large sheets. The color variances of the sand are from white quartz to dark brown. We do not “place” the colors, it just occurs naturally. Sandstone is approximately 90% pure quartz and a versatile product. It is applied to a fabric mesh-structure allowing for great flexibility.

Sandstone is approximately 90% pure quartz and a versatile product. It is applied to a fabric mesh structure allowing for great flexibility.
This natural product is the classic in our stone product portfolio. Produced with great efforts and only from selected and suitable sand pits. The relief-like progressions of the sediment layers make each sheet a very unique piece.
Thickness also varies for the Slate from 1mm to 2.5mm +/- because of the three dimensional surface texture.

What Are The Different Backings and What Adhesives Do They Use?

– GRP (Glass fiber Reinforced Polyester resin)
This is the standard backing for all Slate and Quartzite products. It is durable and recommended for exterior as well as interior use.One type of adhesive used with this backing is PUR (short for PolyURethane). PUR adhesives are found in most woodworking businesses commonly known as PUR Hot Melt adhesives. This adhesive is typically applied from a heated cartridge or roller coater. It is applied hot (about 250°F is typical) and sets quickly as it cools. PUR Hot Melts are used for general assembly and lamination of panels. PU adhesive (short for PolyUrethane) is a liquid Polyurethane and is applied at room temperature. They normally offer excellent water resistance.
– Fleece
This is the standard backing for the NanoStone product. Although durable, it is not recommended for exterior use, only interior use. The fleece backing is perfect for contact cement as used in about every woodworking and cabinet business. Also good for any typical wood glue. When using with any hot or cold hydraulic veneer press it is best to place some kind of rubber between the Stone-Veneer and the metal plate. This way the pressure will distribute evenly compensating for the three dimensional surface.

Who Installs Stone-Veneer® ?

The equipment required for cutting and trimming Stone-Veneer®, Sandstone is common carpenter and home-owner tools. A circular saw with a carbide tipped blade. Any hand held router with a carbide tipped cutting tool. A little bench-top table saw and a portable miter saw with carbide tipped saw blades. All of these tools are available at any home improvement store or hardware store.
The answer to the question is anyone can install it. A professional carpenter would be the first choice. A painter with wall paper experience can also install it. Mr. and Mrs. homeowner can do it as well as their D.I.Y. friends. That tells you it can be used anywhere for anything by anybody. This is a very, very broad based market.

Overview

There are enough colors, styles, backings to apply to about any idea. The market segment is expansive…

  • Architects, Architectural Firms
  • Designers, Design Firms, Interior Designers
  • Commercial Sector
  • Hospitality Sector
  • House Builders
  • Bathroom / Wetroom suppliers
  • Tile Showrooms
  • Shop Fit Out companies
  • Swimming Pools
  • Yacht Manufactures (as it’s very lightweight)
  • Caravan / Lodge manufacturers
  • Cabinet and woodworking manufactures
  • Wall covering specialty stores and distributors
  • Charter Yacht Industry
  • Store Fixtures and Displays
  • Restaurants / Pubs