Stone veneer

Stone cladding is sometimes applied to concrete and steel buildings as part of their original architectural design.

It was cut into thick portions and then hand tooled into the appropriate panels; the stones that were used were "granite, marble, travertine, limestone, and slate."

Early in its development, thin stone veneer only had the capabilities to be utilized in areas such as the inside of buildings, street-level facades and storefronts.

[2]: 28 In the Late 19th and early 20th centuries non-load-bearing stone veneers were regularly affixed to load-bearing walls behind.

Without steel supports, load bearing walls could grow several meters thick on their lowest stories.

Anchors of support were provided by a specific type of stainless steel or "of aluminum with a non-corroding material separator between the metal and stone."

The direct or adhered fixing system relies on a mortar or cement bonding between the substrate wall and the backside of the stone veneer.

This application is generally used indoors as exterior weathering and temperature extremes cause the veneer to crack and spall.

The complete connection between the veneer and substrate does not account for differing rates of thermal expansion between materials, causing them to bind under pressure.

The system relies on holes drilled into the edges of stone panels in which metal dowels are inserted.

Pressure from tightening the bolt causes the expansion ring to flare out, filling the undercut hole.

In the US, a typical installation on a lightweight substrate would use plywood backing as an alternative to fibre cement sheet.