Of flexible stone veneers, home renovations & construction

Of flexible stone veneers, home renovations & construction

Whether you’re building a new home, doing a home renovation, or doing any kind of construction job, it’s a matter which no doubt needs a lot of planning, research & decisions on which options you’d like to proceed with.

The home renovation industry in Australia is a booming industry, & there are many products which are commonly used across residential projects simply due to large-scale availability as well as the products being more familiar to builders & construction companies. One prime example is the use of tiles in construction or renovations. Tiles have been tried & tested for so long, that it’s a more comfortable thought to settle for tiles, even when there may be more innovative, creative & long-lasting options on the table.

So, today, let’s focus on a cladding option, which is extremely popular across the construction industry in Europe the United States. This is, of course, the flexible stone veneers, a cladding option that is not only capable of replacing outdated cladding options such as tiles, but also one which is able to be installed on top of any kind of substrate, & for a variety of applications.

What are flexible stone veneers?

Sketch Australia’s flexible stone veneers are sustainably extracted with a minimum carbon footprint from 100% natural metamorphic rock. It results in a thin layer of stone which is attached to a backing, which is most commonly fiberglass, but could also be fabric or translucent.
This backing, with the thinness of the stone layer (1.5 mm to 2.0 mm) gives not only tremendous durability, but also ensures a light-weight & easy to install stone veneer. The stone surface provides natural water & heat resistant, which means that it can be installed both indoors & outdoors.

Sketch Australia’s flexible stone veneers can be installed on top of any substrate, including glass, tiles, cement, wood, brick & render. From floors to walls & ceilings, applications are only limited by your creativity, with the most common applications being splashbacks, feature walls, fireplaces, bathrooms, bedrooms, & furniture. For anyone who’s interested in DIY products, you can be sure that this is the best stone product that you can install on your own, with a few household tools & easily available adhesives & sealants.

Why consider flexible stone veneers as a cladding option for house renovations & building construction?

1. Ease of installation
Unlike most cladding options, flexible stone veneers are extremely light-weight, only being around 1.5 kilos per standard sheet. That, combined with the thinness, contributes to ease of installation, to the point where the product is DIY. No need for special equipment or an installation team, just an angle grinder to cut the sheets, a PU adhesive to paste it, & finally a penetrative sealant on top of the surface. You’ll not only save up on labour cost but also, it’ll be something fun for you to look forward to do in the weekend, especially if you’re a DIY enthusiast!

2. Durability
The stone surface speaks for itself. Since the surface of the veneer is natural stone, it’s durable & resistant to extreme weather conditions, whether scorching hot or freezing cold. This is the main reason that it can be installed outdoors. Unlike so many other cladding options, the stone surface is also resistant to scratching & chipping, & with the proper installation & maintenance, it’s bound to last a lifetime.

3. Water & heat resistance
Sketch Australia’s flexible stone veneers are naturally water & heat resistant, since the surface is natural stone. So, you can install it in places where water & heat resistance is an absolute necessity, including outdoors.

4. Versatility of application
Sketch Australia’s flexible stone veneers can be installed on both indoor & outdoor surfaces, but that’s not the best part – seeing that it can endure extreme weather conditions as well as be installed on top of any kind of substrate, applications are limitless for your home renovation or building construction project, from indoor & outdoor floors to walls & even ceilings. Common applications that’s popular include splashbacks, feature walls, fireplace exteriors & even furniture! It’s also a beautiful product to install on your cabinetry, bathrooms & bedrooms.

5. Visual appeal
Flexible stone veneers have an elegant look, whether it’s installed indoors or outdoors. The natural stone surface is unique in appearance & since each sheet is unique from the other, it creates a theme of its own.

6. Affordability
Compared with other cladding options & considering the advantages it offers, flexible stone veneers are affordable. Not only saving up on the labour cost if you do it on your own, but each sheet is extremely cost effective for the benefits & unique stone look it offers.

7. Lightweight
Unlike other cladding options, the flexible stone veneer is an extremely thin slice of rock, weighing only around 1.5 kilos per standard sheet, so it’s the perfect solution when you want an elegant stone appearance, without the weight & difficulty in installation. It’s also perfect for installation on structures that are unable to bear heavy weights.

8. Low maintenance
Once a penetrative sealant is applied on the stone surface after installation, it’ll preserve the surface & the most basic dust & day to day dirt can be easily cleaned with water.

9. Cover up damages to the surface below
Let’s be honest – you’ve decided to do a home renovation not just as an upgrade, but also because it’s bound to show signs of wear & tear, especially with years of use. The best part of installing flexible stone veneers is that you can install it on almost any surface, & using the glue, you can fill in any gaps in the surface below & install the veneers to cover the damages. This means that not only are you covering up the damages, but also, you’re doing it with style.

10. Wow factor
Flexible stone veneers have the look & feel of solid stone slabs, & the moment anyone sees it, they’re bound to think that it is natural stone slabs, & it’s a wow factor to think of a stone cladding with versatile applications. It’s often said that the first impression is the last impression, & in that case, flexible stone veneers offer a very pleasant experience to the viewer.

11. Create a theme
You can also use the flexible stone veneers to create a theme or pattern of its own, depending on how you lay the stone sheets. One of the main features of the stone veneer is that you can use it on the exterior of your home as well as the interior, so you could use this to your advantage & lay the sheets on the exterior of your home in one design, & complement it on the inside with another design.

12. Add to the surface structural integrity
This applies especially if the structure below is damaged. Flexible stone veneers can be applied over damaged surfaces using the glue to fill up the damages, & applying this durable thin stone sheet will add to the structural integrity of the surface below, further reinforcing it. This is especially a useful feature if your home has endured long years of wear & tear, & you’re installing a cladding for reasons beyond style or theme, but more focused on longevity, durability & damage control.

The future of cladding with flexible stone veneers

Flexible stone veneers are taking the Australian construction & renovation industry to the next level by offering a cladding option that is versatile in application, while also being durable & affordable. It’s a one-of-a-kind stone product which you can use on both indoors & outdoors of your residential or commercial renovations or construction project, due to the veneer’s flexibility, lightweight & ease of installation. This is why you need to consider flexible stone veneers for any renovation requirement you may have for your home or office space, whether it’s for the interior or exterior. While adding durability to the structure, flexible stone veneers also add to the elegance, within no time & for a relatively low cost compared with other cladding options that are available.