Natural Stone Veneer FAQs
Staxstone is the exclusive national distributor of Norstone products here in Canada. You can also check out our 'where to buy' section for stores and locations near you.
Compared to man made wall veneers, when chipped the color underneath is not consistent to the surface color making it more noticeable. When natural stone is chipped or cut, the color is almost exact, maintaining its consistency and unity. Also NORSTONE natural stone rock panels do not lose their color, texture or degrade due to age or exposure to weather.
Using only the highest grade natural stone stock and epoxy adhesive materials, NORSTONE rock panels are created with durability and design as the primary focus, displaying color richness and texture that are trademark only to Norstone and STAXSTONE.
Our rock panels are hand crafted by select pieces of cut premium stock natural stone, which are then adhered together using only the highest quality 2-part epoxy adhesive.
No, the color of the natural stone used in our rock panels will usually be enhanced with time.
Yes, Norstone can be used in or near swimming pools, water features, near beach fronts or salt spray.
Whilst our rock panels are salt attack resistant, they may be adversely affected by cleaning with acid wash or use of incorrect tile adhesive.
NORSTONE rock panels can be used in subzero or freeze/thaw conditions with no adverse effect if installed correctly.
Our Rock panels can be used in extreme climates, such as 40° to 50°C or 104° to 122°F.
They should be laid in brick fashion i.e. they must stagger or overlap each other.
With a wet saw or tilers saw.
No. If a "wet" look is desired, then a penetrating, but the breathable acrylic sealer will achieve this.
Our products are made from natural stone and pricing varies based on the product series and color selected. Contact us to receive a quote and a sample for your project today.
Since there is far less labor involved in installing Rock Panels as compared to hand stacking individual stones, the installed cost of Rock Panels can be as little as half or one-third of the cost to build a typical stacked stone veneer wall.
Norstone natural stone Rock Panels are very competitive compared to imitation stone panels, however offer the obvious benefit of a natural product versus a faux stone panel or manmade product.
Staxstone and the stores we supply strive to keep plenty of on-hand inventory to meet our customer’s needs. Customers are encouraged to email us via our contact page to check stock before placing an order.
Measure each area to receive stone veneer and allow 10% extra for wastage. If outside corners are present in the project, measure the height of all the outside corners and contact your Staxstone representative or local distributor to make sure you order the right mix of field units and corner units for your project.
Stone veneer should be laid in a continuous running bond pattern, ensuring vertical seams do not line up from one course to the other.
We recommend a polymer-modified tile thin-set that meets or exceeds ANSI 118.4 and ANSI 118.11 adhesion standards.
Most competent home handymen can install our products, particularly those with experience tiling. In fact, both Norstone Rock Panels and Lynia IL tiles have been featured on the DIY Network because they are easy to use and great-looking. If a professional is to be hired to do the work, a tile setter is an ideal tradesperson.
Mechanical fixing might be necessary when your installation reaches a certain height, sometimes as low as 10’, depending on the structural engineering of the wall the stone is being installed on. Please consult your architect or engineer and check local building codes for specific requirements.
XL Rock Panels are a super-sized version of the standard series Rock Panel with stone sizes approximately twice as big as the standard series and a unique interlocking edge profile designed to create a seam-free look with the larger XL format. XL Rock Panels are ideal for large-scale projects, both interior, and exterior, where a larger size stone might better fit the scale of the project.
Each Rock Panel weighs on average about 12.5 lbs per sq ft.
Yes, like a fingerprint, each panel is unique in design, color blend, and texture.
Norstone Rock Panels do not lose their color, texture or degrade due to age or exposure to weather, and since they are made from natural stone, they have an inherent advantage in “believability” as compared to an imitation or faux stone product.
No, Rock Panels do not use a mesh backing as it can seriously undermine the adhesive bond between the wall and the back of the Rock Panel given the weight of the product.
Most Norstone Stacked Stone Panel system products are suitable for interior and exterior applications. Certain colors should not be used in areas subject to extensive freeze/thaw conditions, so check our product spec guides or work with your local rep if this applies to you. Check out our Stone Interiors Gallery for inspiration for your next backsplash, fireplace, or feature wall project or our Exterior Stone Gallery for ideas on how to use stone on the exterior of both commercial and residential buildings.
