FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: NATURAL THIN STONE VENEER

 

Q: What types of natural stone does Capitol Products, Inc. provide?

A: We offer our customers, Texas Limestones, Sandstones, and Oklahoma Sandstones. Texas Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of calcium carbonate (CaCO3), usually in the form of calcite and less commonly, aragagonite. Most limestones have a granular texture and in many cases, the grains are tiny fragments of fossil animal shells. Leuders is a stronger, more durable type of limestone.

 

Texas and Oklahoma Sandstones are sedimentary rocks formed from sand-sized grains. The spaces between grains may be empty or filled with either a chemical cement of silica or calcium carbonate, or a fine grained matrix of silt and clay particles. The principal mineral constituents of the grain framework are quartz, feldspar and rock fragments.

 

Q: Is Thin Veneer Stone a green product?

A: Yes. The process of thin veneer allows a stone's interior and exterior faces to both be featured, and allows all the center cut-out to be re-utilized in other material like aggregate mixes.

 

Q: What are the advantages of using natural thin veneer (NTV)?

A: More NTV can be shipped per truckload (about 3,800 Sq. Ft., surface coverage) than full veneer, saving in freight and shipping costs, and completing your project quicker. Furthermore, in most cases, NTV can be installed without a brick ledge foundation, making it especially easy to apply for remodeling projects.

 

Q: Are there any foreseeable problems with NTV installation?

A: As long as the material is cleaned before installation and a proper bonding agent is applied, there should not be a problem.

 

Q: Should I hire a mason to install the NTV, or can I install it myself?

A: We recommend hiring a professional mason for larger or commercial projects, however if you decide to take the project on yourself, we recommend that you use a patented bonding agent sold by our masonry supply partner, ESI Masonry Supply, that can be reassuring for the do-it-yourself customer. Please contact ESI Masonry Supply at 512-930-0180, or visit their website for more information.

 

Q: Does NTV require adherence based applications, or is it anchored like a full dimensional building stone?

A: Although it is possible to anchor NTV, it is neither recommended nor necessary. NTV is applied directly to the bonding surface, where the load is carried directly to the wall.

 

Q: What is the weight factor per square foot?

A: Natural thin veneer should weigh between 12 and 13.5 pounds per square foot.

 

Q: Do I need to use sills with your stone?

A: We strongly recommend using some type of cap to cover the top of the stonework so that water doesn't get between the applied material and the wall. If water is present between the NTV and the bonding wall, displacement of materials can occur. The recommended sills can either be a traditjional sill or a fabricated flashing.

 

Q: Will I need any extra foundational support if I plan to finish the fireplace with stone all the way up the ceiling?

A: In almost every case, when you use NTV to finish the fireplace, additional foundational support is not required, however, we do recommend contacting your contractor or engineer to be certain.