StonePly Stone Panels as a Radiant Heat Barrier
Posted on May 29, 2008
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StonePly honeycomb acts as a radiant heat barrier. The honeycomb backing acts as an insulator and does not allow for heat to penetrate through the stone panel face. This radiant barrier also helps keep heat in the building because the honeycomb backing reflects the heat back instead of absorbing it. Using StonePly honeycomb will block up to 95% radiant heat.
For a list of advantages and more information on using StonePly lightweight stone panels over conventional, thick stone panels please visit our site.
Efflorescence in Stone
Posted on May 27, 2008
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Efflorescence is a white, powdery, crystalline deposit found on the surface of stone. Efflorescence is caused by moisture seeping through the stone panels mixed with the natural salts in the stone. When the salt/water mixture evaporates from the surface of the stone panel, it leaves salt deposits on the surface of the stone. With StonePly thin, lightweight stone panels, efflorescence is not common because the stone is attached to an aluminum backing. The aluminum backing does not allow water to pass through it, therefore water cannot reach the back of the stone panel.
Efflorescence typically can be removed by brushing it off, spraying it with water, or allowing the rain to wash it away. Efflorescence is usually temporary because once all the salts have been raised to the surface, there is nothing left to cause the problem. In some cases, efflorescence is persistent and the stone must be treated with a water repealing sealant.
For more information on efflorescence and StonePly please visit our efflorescence page.
StonePly and the Environment
Posted on May 23, 2008
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StonePly offers several ecological benefits:
· Low Weight
· Recycled Content
· Energy Efficient
· Recyclable
· Sustainability
Low Weight
StonePly weighs up to 80% less than traditional stone panel cladding systems. Because it weighs less, the transportation cost and fuel usage is reduced, reducing pollution. Another benefit of having light weight stone cladding is that it puts less of a load on the building. This will in turn reduce the amount of structural steel needed to support the cladding. Compared to conventional stone cladding, the lower weight of StonePly provides invaluable protection against the threat of falling cladding in the event of an earthquake or other seismic activity. During renovations, StonePly can often be installed over existing cladding without extra steel support.
Recycled Content
StonePly stone panels can have up to 60% recycled aluminum content. This is better than many conventional stone cladding materials, which have considerably shorter lives and use new raw materials in their manufacture.
Energy Efficient
The aluminum substrate on the StonePly acts as a reflective barrier for the radiated heat. The low thermal mass of StonePly causes the heat to dissipate quickly once the sun goes down or is hidden behind a cloud. Thick stone cladding without any aluminum reinforcement has a greater thermal mass and will capture heat and radiate the heat into the building even when the sun is not shining.
Recyclable
While StonePly is known for having an extremely long life, StonePly stone panels have the added bonus of being close to 100% recyclable. If the cladding is ever removed for remodeling or renovation, the StonePly stone panels can be reused or they can be recycled. Whereas other cladding materials are often disposed of by the ton in dumps and landfills, the aluminum used in StonePly can be recycled in its entirety and the stone can crushed for use as road base and aggregate.
Sustainability
StonePly’s long term durability can help eliminate the future need for more cladding materials. StonePly stone cladding panels are virtually unaffected by UV rays of the sun that break down and fade paints and finishes. Painted metal panels can and will fade over time. Some metals will rust. But the natural stone facing of StonePly stone cladding will last and last. In addition, granite clad StonePly is able to hold up to all types of weather: hurricanes, windstorms, rain, hail, snow and ice. In fact, no other cladding material has a greater ability to stand up to the effects of time and a wide range of severe weather conditions than StonePly natural stone panels. By choosing long lived building products like StonePly you reduce the need for replacements.
Cladding is a major component of any building and it is a component for which the product chosen can have a dramatic and lasting effect on the building’s ecological impact, life cycle costs, and energy use. No other cladding can compare to the StonePly combination of advantages in recycled content, energy efficiency, and sustainability. Please see StonePly and LEED for more information on becoming LEED certified.
StonePly in Seismic and Hurricane Prone Regions
Posted on May 20, 2008
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Unlike rigid, thick stone panels, StonePly panels can flex and move with buildings without cracking or breaking. This gives StonePly the advantage over thick stone panels. StonePly is reinforced throughout because the aluminum backing is adhered with aviation epoxy on every square inch of the stone. There are no areas of the StonePly panel that could break off in an earthquake because it is reinforced throughout. This makes StonePly and ideal candidate for stone cladding on buildings in seismic regions.
StonePly stone panels stand up in large missile impact tests. StonePly has 60x the impact strength than 1.5” stone panels. During missile tests, a 2 x 4 bounces off of a strong StonePly stone panel but shatters a 1.5” thick stone panel. StonePly also has been tested in wind speeds up to 300mph. The highest wind speed found on record for the United States is only 150mph. Also, the stone is bonded to the aluminum backing using epoxy that is used on airplanes flying at mach speeds. This gives the stone extra strength while allowing it to flex and bend with the building. The durability and strength of StonePly allow it to hold up during tropical storms and class 5 hurricanes with only minor scratches.
Thick stone panels are not a plausible option in hurricane and seismic regions because they do not have the added strength of an aluminum backing like StonePly stone panels. Flying debris will often crack, chip and/or break thick stone panels on the exterior buildings. Since a thin stone panel is bonded to an aluminum backing through out, StonePly stone panels are the superior option to heavy, thick stone panels.
Joint Options for StonePly Stone Panels
Posted on May 16, 2008
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StonePly Stone Panel Joint Options
In a sealant joint, a flexible type of round foam polyethylene, butyle rubber, or polyurethane, known as backer rod, is inserted and pushed to the back of the open joint. After the backer rod is in place, sealant, usually silicone, is gunned into the joint to seal it. If water is absorbed by the stone it will not seep into the building because StonePly has a drainage cavity to allow water to drain out instead of into the building. This is the most common joint.
In a rain screen system sealant is not used. This system utilizes an open, dry joint to avoid water leakage. The joints are left open to allow for moisture and air to flow through weep holes. This type of joint alleviates pressure behind the cladding and therefore helps avoid water leakage.
For more information on StonePly joints, please visit our technical page.
StonePly Panel Benefits
Posted on May 15, 2008
Filed Under Backing Substrate, Benefits, Installation, Stone | Leave a Comment
What are the benefits of using StonePly natural stone panels vs. full slab stone?
Lower Weight
StonePly natural stone panels only weigh about 3.5 pounds per square foot. StonePly thin stone panels weigh 80 percent less than thick stone panels making them superior to thick, heavy stone panels.
Higher Strength
Faster Installation
Because StonePly is a thin stone panel attached to a strong, but lightweight aluminum backing they are easier to install. In most cases, StonePly light weight stone panels install with minimal effort. Also, since the stone panel cladding system requires no mortar, installation can proceed in almost any type of weather.
Impact Resistant
Finish Options for Stone Faces
Posted on May 14, 2008
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Finishes and Textures
Most travertines, marbles, and granites are available to be finished in honed, polished, sawn, grooved, sandblasted, and hammered. Most granites are also available in a flamed finish.
A polished finish is a smooth, reflective finish. It is one of the most common finishes because it brings out the rich colors and enhances the stone’s natural veining, pattern, and beauty.
A honed finish is smooth like a polished finish but is non-reflective and lighter in color. This finish brings out the natural colors, veining, and pattern of the stone.
A flamed finish is used mostly on certain types of granite. It gives the granite a rough finish that highlights the crystals and makes them sparkle.
A grooved finish is a stone that has parallel grooves sawn into the face.
A sandblasted finish has a light sand texture on the face.
A hammered finish is a stone face that has been lightly beaten. A thicker stone face may be necessary to achieve this texture.
StonePly exclusively offers a pinstriped finish. Parallel alternating polished stripes and sawn grooves are ‘pinstriped’ on the stone’s face.
StonePly can also custom finish most stone faces on request. A fee may apply.
For a complete list of finishes please visit our finish options page.
StonePly Backing Options
Posted on May 13, 2008
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2. StonePly ACM is a thin aluminum composite material that is laminated to the back of a natural thin stone panel. StonePly ACM is easy to install by adhering the composite panels to the surface using structural silicone. This backing substrate is good for interior applications and furniture. StonePly ACM is only ¼” thick. The thicker the StonePly ACM is, the more flexural strength the entire panel unit will have.
3. StonePly Translucent is made of glass or polycarbonate and is laminated to stones that are translucent. This allows translucent stones such as onyx and marble to be back lit. These composite translucent panels are great for light coves, lighted columns, windows, and bar tops. StonePly Translucent varies in thickness depending on the thickness and size of the stone panels its being laminated to.
Cleaning StonePly
Posted on May 7, 2008
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A Technical Bulletin on Cleaning StonePly
StonePly stone panels should be protected during storage, setting, and after installation. StonePly should be stored on planks or pallets away from traffic and debris to prevent stains and breakages. If stored for a long period of time, the pallets should be covered with non-staining tarps. After installation, StonePly stone panels should be protected with a non-staining tarp or plastic during the remaining construction to avoid any unnecessary damages.
After construction, the stone cladding will need a final wash down to remove any debris or dirt. Acids and brick cleaners should not be used because they could etch or burn away at the stone’s finish. Dirt can be removed from most stones by washing with a mild detergent and water. If stains occur, it is important to recognize the cause of the stain. Any treatments to the stone panels face should be tested in a small inconspicuous area before cleaning the entire unit.
Metal fiber brushes shouldn’t be used when scrubbing stones because they may scar or scratch the stone face. Also, any metal residue left from the brush may later corrode or rust and cause staining. Power washing and/or sandblasting is not recommended because it may scratch or scar the face of the stone panels.
Common Stones
Posted on May 6, 2008
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Common Stone Types
Granite
Granite is a coarse-grained, intrusive, felsic, igneous stone formed from magma deep in the earths crust. Granite is made of 65% silica crystals. Quartz, potassium feldspar and plagioclase feldspar generally are the main components in granite. Some common types of granite are Baltic Brown, Tropic Brown, Santa Cecelia, and Ubatuba.
Marble
Marble is a metamorphic stone formed by the recrystallization of limestone. Marble is mostly made up of calcium carbonate. The most well known marble is Carrara marble from Italy. It has been used since the classical era for sculptures because of its beauty.
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary stone that is mostly made up of calcium carbonate along with small amounts of clay, shells, slit, and other small particles. This type of stone is formed under pressure and can contain other rock types, shells, and debris. Travertine, Indiana, and Coquina are all types of limestone.
For a complete list of stones StonePly has to offer please see our stones page.
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