Thin Stone Veneer vs. Full Thickness Building Stone

Natural stone be it thin or full opens up endless possibilities to truly take your home to the next level. While both are excellent options, many people outside the masonry field are not familiar with the benefits of thin stone veneer due to the fact it's a relative newcomer on the marketplace. We produce and sell (via special order) full stone veneers of all of our products, however, the thin stones outsell the full stones 10/1. Thin stone veneer is known for being very easy to work with, making for quick, efficient and affordable installations.

Natural Thin Stone Veneer

Same high quality stone as full veneer – The thin stone is the same stone and will look exactly the same once installed.

Roughly one inch in depth and weighing approximately 13 pounds per square foot – This is particularly advantageous because it means that the materials can be applied to just about any structurally sound wall. You won’t have to stress about reworking your plans because the stone is too heavy or bulky.

Ease of Installation – Lightweight thin veneers are also much easier to handle than the full thickness stone. They’re easy to lift and there’s a reduced risk of injury during the process. Any cutting, trimming or setting that is necessary during the project can be completed much faster. The light weight and size of thin stone veneers can reduce installation expenses, you can expect to pay less in terms of labor.

Ease of Transportation – The lighter weight of the product allows us to ship it throughout the country.

Roughly similar in weight to artificial stone – The thin stone is about the same weight as cultured stone.

Requires no foundation footing – The stone is supported by the wall rather than the footing.  This makes it perfect for remodeling projects as well.

Durability – This is the biggest question we get from skeptics but assuming proper installation the durability is exactly the same.  They both lasts a lifetime and we offer a limited lifetime warranty.

Price - Slightly more expense than full bed depth stone due to the additional production process. Overall less expensive due to reduced transport and installation costs.

Full Thickness Building Stone

Time-tested method of installation – Full stone veneer has long been the way of using natural stone for centuries.

Typically 3 to 5 inches in depth – Full veneer is sometimes referred to as 4-inch veneer or building stone veneer.

Requires a foundation footing – An important thing to keep in mind is that full stone veneer can only be used in applications where its thickness, weight and size have been carefully addressed and calculated by an architect. This means that a proper footing or shelf needs to be present, or the special strengthening of a floor.

Averages 35 to 40 square feet per ton – The weight of a full stone can vary per square foot depending on the type of rock it comes from, different stones have different densities. For example, granite has a higher density and is, therefore, heavier than a sandstone.

Price – The cost of the raw product is cheaper than thin stone however after freight and installation it will be more expensive.

Installation – A major consideration to be aware of is that the weight and size of full stone veneers makes it somewhat challenging to work with. Obviously, it is heavier than thin veneer materials and thus will take more time and effort to lift and install. In many cases, the process of trimming and sorting stones to make the pieces fit correctly can be time-consuming.