Rock Panels

One of the main benefits of ROCK PANELS is the ease with which they can be installed. The panel system provides for rapid installation over prepared cementitious surfaces, such as cement board, brick / block, or a traditional lathe and scratch coat using a polymer modified tile thinset. Rock Panels are ideally cut on a tile wet saw and are highly calibrated, allowing the installer to butt-join individual units together, thus eliminating the need to grout or point mortar between individual pieces or units. Here are the main points to highlight for any stone veneer installation: A. Start with prepared cementious substrate such as cement board for most interior applications, or brick, block, or a masonry lathe and scratch coat for exterior applications. Drywall is not a suitable substrate for installing stone veneer on as it is not designed to support the weight and the outer paper layer of the drywall that the panels get attached to can fail against the weight over time. B. Address waterproofing and other climactic conditions of the installation, such as freeze / thaw vulnerability through the use of either a mesh or fluid applied liquid membrane on the substrate. Stone veneer panels can be used in a variety of different type of applications ranging from water features like pools and spas, to exterior facades in places ranging from Alaska to the Caribbean if the right setting materials are used. Contact us with any questions on your specific project. C. Adhere the stone panel using a polymer modified thinset that meets or exceeds ANSI 118.4 and 118.11 adhesion standards. Using mastic adhesive, which is commonly premixed and available at the same places as thinset is a common mistake. Mastic is organic based and can lose its bond strength when exposed to moisture and should absolutely not be used to install this product. D. When appropriate, seal the stone veneer after its installed. Common reasons to seal stone veneer is if its being used in an exterior project or is going to be subject to water, such as in a water feature or pool. A quality water based natural stone sealer that is designed to penetrate the surface of the stone is recommended. Different types of sealers are made to achieve various results, including darkening or enriching the color of the stone, so always be sure to test the results of a sealer on an off cut prior to applying. Note that acid should not be used to clean this product. The beauty of the Rock Panel lies in its simplicity, and whether part of a large scale commercial application, or a small residential project, all levels of installers will find the Rock Panel quick and easy to install and a pleasure to work with. Natural Stone Sealer. A natural stone sealer can be applied depending on the characteristics of the application or to achieve a desired look or finish.