Thin stone veneer is the perfect option for giving an interior or exterior project the beautiful look of natural stone. Due to its light weight, this specialty building material doesn’t require the use of footings or support ledges for installation. It can also be adhered to a variety of surfaces with the proper surface preparation. These qualities make the versatile material ideal for many kinds of non-structural projects, like fireplaces, pillars, chimney facades, and decorative walls. And because Kafka Granite’s high-quality thin stone veneer consists entirely of quarried stone, the material will retain its integrity when exposed to the elements—meaning that it’s also a suitable choice for exterior projects like building facades.

Natural thin stone veneer and natural full stone veneer are made from the same high-quality natural stone, but an additional process makes thin stone veneer thinner. The result? A versatile masonry product with the beauty of natural stone but a fraction of the weight of full veneer building stone. In fact, thin stone veneer can weigh up to 75 percent less than full veneer! This relatively light weight reduces shipping costs drastically. The two products also differ on installation costs: full veneer may require more shaping on the jobsite, and therefore will take more time, effort, and funds to install than thin stone veneer. Ultimately, natural thin stone veneer allows designers, architects, and even homeowners to incorporate the rugged beauty of natural stone into non-structural projects while minimizing the costs associated with full veneer.

Depending on the type of thin stone veneer you’ve chosen for your project, type N or type S mortar will fit your needs. Type N is a reliable, general-purpose mix with a medium compressive strength, while type S provides a high-tensile bond strength and a high compressive strength. Type N is well-suited for exterior and above-grade projects that are exposed to severe weather and high temperatures, as well as interior installations. Soft stone masonry, above-grade walls, and chimneys are just a few examples of projects that would most likely require type N. With a minimum compressive strength of 1,800 psi, type S can be considered a more “heavy-duty” mortar and is ideal for applications like exterior masonry and other projects that need to withstand forceful winds and soil pressure.

Manufactured or artificial stone is man-made and typically crafted from concrete and other materials. This type of product can be molded to resemble natural stone, but is far from the real thing. Kafka’s thin stone veneer products consist entirely of quarried rock, creating a beautiful, organic quality that can’t be replicated. Each piece of natural stone is completely unique, giving it truly exceptional character. Additionally, our thin stone veneer products maintain their color and integrity as they weather, while man-made concrete materials contain oxide colors and other chemicals that will fade over time.

To ensure the integrity and longevity of a project, we recommend that a professional mason install our natural thin stone veneer. If this specialty building product is being utilized in an exterior project, the area that will be in contact with the product must first be waterproofed to industry standards. Next, any chemical film on the wall should be removed. Additional surface preparation may be necessary, depending on the type of material. Some surfaces will need a non-corrosive wire lath and a setting mix before the material is applied. To set the product, begin with any corner pieces and alternate long and short ends while stacking them on top of each other. Type N or S mortar is suitable for most projects, possibly with the addition of a bonding admixture. Once the corners are complete, the rest of the pattern can be filled in by pressing each stone against the scratch coat wall. Mortar should be allowed to ooze and create grout joints around the edge of each stone.