Stonework & Stone Cladding Specialists

There are many different types of stone used in construction, whether used in the actual structure or just for an aesthetically pleasing veneer (cladding). Different types of stone each have different advantages and disadvantages for use in floors, walls, tiles or cladding. Slate tiles are made of silt and clay, with a similar composition to sandstone. Slate is perfect for applications in floors and roofing. Limestone can also be used for stone floors and wall tiles and is available in a variety of density and hardness, with some almost as tough as granite. Travertine is another less well known sedimentary rock made of layers of calcite with a natural honeycomb structure, this is a very strong stone, which can be cut into tiles. Marble is perfect for bathrooms and kitchens, created by immense heat and pressure, marble can handle everything home life can throw at it. Granite is another hard stone perfect for high-traffic flooring such as hallways and kitchens.

A very hard stone, granite can be polished and sealed for ease of maintenance. Tumbled Limestone can be used in tile form for both interior and external use, particularly good in bathrooms and kitchens it is an extremely hard wearing product. Sandstone is composed essentially of cemented grains of sand and is the second most abundant of all sedimentary rock. Sandstone can consist of sand sized particles of calcite, gypsum or iron compounds and is often used for walls and floors.

Stone Cladding

Stone cladding gives the look of a natural stone building without the expense and time of using full-sized stone pieces in the construction. For cladding thin pieces of stone are cut to form sheets that imitate brick or natural stone. Then attached to the walls or floors of a building to give it the appearance of having been constructed out of traditional stone materials. Modern stone cladding can successfully emulate the look of many varieties of rough-hewn stone including sandstone, marble or slate.

Stone cladding can even be used in interior design work such as stone clad accent walls or even as flooring. But the cladding of fireplaces is probably the most common way to use stone cladding inside, create the look of a traditional stone fireplace without having to tear out the old fireplace and replace with a new, stone one. Stone cladding is much lighter than real stone so you can usually safely add it to existing structures without being concerned over the added weight. Building with stone veneer is significantly more expensive than using stone effect, it is more authentic but most will not be able to tell the difference once fitted.

Stone Cladding Installation Cost

The cost of installing stone cladding in your home will depend mostly on the type of stone you choose and of course the size of your home. Authentic stone cladding for the entire exterior of your property will be expensive, so always hire a professional for best results as they will ensure that the cladding is applied safely and will be long lasting. Always get at least three quotes from local contractors by simply clicking the "post your job" button on this page and then check insurance credentials before you hire anyone.