When it comes to enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your home, stone veneer is an excellent choice. This versatile material not only enhances the visual appeal but also adds value and durability to any structure. As leading stone veneer suppliers in India and stone veneer manufacturers in India, we offer a comprehensive guide to understanding and utilizing stone veneers for your next project.
Stone Veneer Explained : Top Manufacturers in India
A stone veneer is a manufactured replica of natural stone, that can be fixed on walls to get a natural stone-like look. It is a lightweight, cost-effective alternative to natural stone and is easily customizable to your desired shape and size. Stone veneers are generally manufactured as individual pieces and can be installed on walls as per your design needs. They are easy to clean and maintain, making them a homeowner favorite in recent times.
Advantages of Stone Veneer
- Aesthetic Appeal: Stone veneer provides a timeless, elegant look that enhances any space.
- Durability: It is resistant to weather, fire, and pests, ensuring longevity.
- Cost-Effective: Compared to full stone installations, veneer is more affordable.
- Ease of Installation: Its lightweight nature makes it easier and quicker to install.
- Versatility: Available in various colors, textures, and styles to suit different design preferences.
Popular Uses for Stone Veneer
Stone veneer is incredibly versatile and can be used in numerous applications:
- Exterior Walls: Give your home a classic, rustic look with stone veneer siding.
- Fireplaces: Create a cozy, inviting atmosphere by cladding your fireplace with stone veneer.
- Interior Accent Walls: Add character to your living room, kitchen, or bedroom with a striking stone veneer feature wall.
- Outdoor Kitchens and Patios: Enhance your outdoor living spaces with durable and stylish stone veneer finishes.
Key Considerations Before Purchasing Stone Veneers
Choosing Stone Veneers for Interiors and Exteriors
Interior Stone Veneers
You will need different stone veneer types for interior and exterior applications. Interior stone veneers are lighter in weight and thinner compared to the ones used for exterior applications. You can even get peel-and-stick stone veneer sheets for interior applications, which are relatively less expensive. Tile experts from Decor Luxury Handicraft Art, the top veneer stone suppliers in India, can help you choose the best stone veneer and also guide you on installing them on various substrates like plywood, drywall, cement board, or concrete. They are easy to clean; a simple soap water solution with a damp cloth can do magic.
Exterior Stone Veneers
Exterior stone veneers are thicker and heavier as they have to withstand the elements of nature. They need a brick-and-mortar installation for durability and longevity. They are also considerably more expensive. They are most commonly used as wall trims, patios, gardens, and outer walls. They make a great addition to your outdoor patio as they can blend in well with your landscape. Outdoor stone veneers accumulate dirt and dust quickly but not to worry, they are easy to clean too. They are resistant to water damage so you can just hose them down to remove the dust and dirt.
Individual Stone Veneer Pieces vs. Stone Veneer Sheets
Buying stone veneers as panels is not the same as stone veneer sheets. Stone veneer sheets are flexible and can be used as exterior or interior stones. They are a great addition to any wall or wall panel. They can be cut to a variety of shapes and sizes which can be used as your base for a variety of applications like fireplaces, doors, and wainscots.
Stone veneer panels are a great material too, just they are a bit difficult to work with. It is hard to cut panels of stone and they are not strong enough to hold up on their own. They would need to be strengthened with either a brick and mortar or a wood frame. We are one of the most exquisite stone veneer manufacturers in India; browse through our collection of stone veneers to find the best match for your home decor.
Calculating Your Stone Veneer Needs
It largely depends on how big a project you are trying to build. You can choose to buy panels or sheet veneer as per your requirements and dimensions. You also need to pay attention to the shape of the layout you are planning to cover. If you are covering a circular or curved layout, you have to leave some margin for wastage while cutting your veneer panels.
Mortar vs. Mortar-less Stone Veneer Installation
The installation technique is determined by the type of stone veneer used. Apply mortar to the back of each stone before connecting it to a surface when using clipless individual stone veneer. In a conventional installation, stones should be spaced apart and grouted between the joints.
Mortar-less stone veneer is installed without the use of mortar or grout. Instead, they come in the form of individual stones or panels that are attached to the surface with either built-in clips or a built-in anchor plate that is secured with nails or screws. The stones are dry-stacked tight and flush, one on top of the other, with no mortar used as a binder in between. Devilakshmibrickworks the top veneer stone suppliers in India and our experts can guide you in choosing the right stone veneer for your needs.
Choosing the Right Mortar
It is important to note that mortar has a high coefficient of friction which means that it will be difficult to attach stones together. If you are dealing with stones that are not very heavy, use a mortar that is thick enough so that you can get the stones to bond together.
Mortar is a mixture of sand, clay, and water, and is a strong, yet flexible, bonding medium. It is often used to install stone veneers and also grout veneer panels when they are placed against a brick or stone. A mortar joint is solid and resists cracking and splitting. Our tiling experts will tell you the kind of mortar to use with our high-quality flexible stone veneer sheets in India.
Commonly, two types of mortars are used to install stone veneers. The first is a dry mortar called the S type and the other is a wet mortar called the N type. The S mortars have a less-flammable and less-vulnerable, more-solid and solid mortaring. The N mortars are more flammable, and therefore, more prone to breakage.
Essential Accessories for Stone Veneer Installation
- Starter Strip: Strip affixed to the base of a structure that serves as a channel to lock in the first course panels; it also sets the tone for a level installation and aids in drainage.
- Trowel: A flat, portable tool for applying scratch coat and mortar.
- Jointer: A thin tool for smoothing, recessing, and shaping joint grout.
- Bag of Grout: A cone-shaped bag filled with grout that is used to fill in the gaps between stone seams.
- Rake: A tool used to make vertical scratch coat lines.
- Level: A tool for determining the horizontal plane.
Get in Touch with Best Stone Veneer Suppliers in India
Buying the right stone veneer for your home is crucial to achieving the desired results. Consider it as an investment that can be recouped over time. The above tips will help you choose the right material and the right type of stone veneer for your project.
Devilakshmibricks Art is one of the leading stone veneer manufacturers in India with the widest range of stone veneers for every need and budget. We provide stone veneers for homes, offices, shops, and commercial buildings. We are known for our quality products and professional craftsmanship. Call stone veneer manufacturers in India today to find out how our stone veneers can add beauty with our handcrafted designs.
