Introduction to Stone Veneers

Stone veneers have gained huge This is where – flexible stone veneers come into the picture. Stone veneers are flexible, lightweight and colourful materials that are an excellent alternative to natural stone slabs. Flexibility, ease of installation, weather-resistance, durability and adaptability – make stone veneers a great choice for residential and commercial applications. popularity over the last few years. They are used in a wide range of applications – building facades, accent walls, decorative columns, shower walls, and even flooring. The ease of installation, affordability and durability make stone veneers an attractive choice for interior decoration.


Why use stone veneers instead of natural stone slabs?

For millennia, humans have been using natural stone to build homes and other buildings. Stones like granite, marble, slate, limestone, sandstone and mica have been a part of our homes for centuries. But, the biggest drawback of natural stones is that they are expensive and difficult to install. Plus, they require extensive maintenance which can be a huge drawback.

This is where – flexible stone veneers come into the picture. Stone veneers are flexible, lightweight and colourful materials that are an excellent alternative to natural stone slabs. Flexibility, ease of installation, weather-resistance, durability and adaptability – make stone veneers a great choice for residential and commercial applications.


Salient Highlights of Stone Veneers

The biggest advantages of stone veneers is that they are highly flexible. They can bend to a certain radius, making them suitable for curved substrates like pillars, columns, furniture, bed, etc. It can be arched inward or outward, depending on the application. The fiberglass backing of natural stone veneers give them the strength and flexibility.


Features & Benefits of Stone Veneers

Features Benefits
Lightweight and flexible Perfect for all interior and exterior applications
Eco-friendly Can be applied even on surfaces that are bent
Extremely thin Acts as a barrier between the wall and external weather elements
Durable Easy to install – doesn’t require extensive labour
Easy to install Available in a wide range of colours
Easy to cut and stick Suits all interior styles
Pocket-friendly Adds a touch of sophistication and luxury to your interiors
Low transportation and installation costs Environment friendly – doesn’t use any synthetic chemicals
Sustainable Can be applied on all substrates

How to install stone veneers?

Here is a complete step-by-step guide to installing stone veneers.


• Preparation

Before applying stone veneers, the first step is to prepare the surface. Clean and remove any dust or oils from the substrate (the wall or furniture you’re fixing the stone veneer to).


• Patterns and Layout

Once you have prepared the work area, the next step is to layout the flexible stone veneers and fix the final pattern. Play around with individual sheets and orientation to determine the final layout that appeals to you. Make sure to number the sheets so that you can fix them in their final places easily


• Tiling, joining and grouting

Flexible stone veneers can be fixed in two ways:

  • In a tiled pattern – by leaving a grout joint between two pieces
  • Butt joined – for a seamless look

The grouts can be filled in different colours depending on your aesthetics. Since stone veneers are extremely thin, using a narrow grout joint will get you a seamless look.


• Sealing

Sealing stone veneers gives you a seamless natural finish. There are several sealers on the market. Your flexible stone suppliers can help you with recommendations on the best sealers to use.


• Cutting

Stone veneers are easy to cut. They can be cut with metal shears, table saws, wet saws or tin snips. If you’re cutting curves, then use long-nosed tin snips for cutting.

Precautions to follow while Installing Flexible Stone Veneers

Make sure that you follow the right precautions while installing stone veneers.

  • Always use the proper gloves, goggles and dust mask when cutting stone veneers.
  • Make sure you take the proper precautions to cover your eyes, skin while installing stone veneers so that you don’t accidentally install fiberglass dust.

Where to Install Stone Veneers?

Stone veneers can be installed in any of the following areas:

  • Walls
  • Floors
  • Doors
  • Indoors and outdoors
  • Restaurants and bars
  • Office buildings
  • Kitchen
  • Bathrooms, etc.

Stone veneers can be applied over almost all materials including wood, metal, ceramic, doors, fiberglass, plywood, dry wall, painted surfaces, MDF, Masonite and several other substrates.

As the leading flexible stone suppliers in India, Decor Slimstone can help you find the perfect stone veneers for your projects. Get in touch with our friendly team for further queries.