We're always on the lookout for great projects that use Norstone's high quality cladding in real-world projects. In this blog, we are focusing on Parr Construction, based in Stockport, who have recently completed the High Lane project, above.

An ultra modern property with an imposing scale, the High Lane house is a very attractive design with a well chosen palette of materials and finishes. Our fantastic slimline charcoal Rock Panel™ cladding is complimented with quality stone cills, contrasting with  crisp white K-Rend. The sophisticated façades on the property are further enhanced by seamless Cedral cladding and a luxurious cantilevered lead roof (have a look at the project photo gallery below to get the full effect).

The final result is stunning - we're sure you'll agree.

The Parr Construction team have expertly installed the rock panel cladding with brilliant detail and attention, making sure it is an integral part of the overall project, as well as giving the property a standout wow factor upon arrival.

You can find out more about Parr Construction's services and latest projects over on their Facebook page and also on their website, http://www.builderinstockport.co.uk/

Our incoming MAXI Rock Panel™ stone cladding is the ultimate in rugged, textured stone cladding tiles, with a large, even layout for a very easy to assemble finish. Shown above in sumptuous charcoal, this cladding is for the bold who favour a strong expression of style, who dare to ask for more.

A chunky look, combined with chunky textures give this cladding a stand out effect that is bound to wow all-comers. As with all of our industry leading Rock Panel™ cladding systems, you benefit from Norstone's renowned style, high quality natural stone and craftsmanship - combined with long life warranty when installed in conjunction with Norstone and partners. 

You can order now; for expression of interest, please contact us for more details.

One of our clients recently contacted us with the following lovely feedback and also gave us a very helpful guide to how they installed Norstone Rustik™ Stone Cladding to an expansive garden wall at their property:

"I apologise I have not got in touch with you sooner, I have some time off at the moment to catch up and send you our photos and brief blog of our finished Rustik™ Stone Cladded wall. We have had such great feedback from everyone that has seen the wall and my wife has had a local magazine wanting to come over in the New Year to do a piece on our property where we will be recommending the stone from Norstone."

The client's real-world installation guide:
Firstly I fitted a capping on top of the block retaining wall with a 100mm overhang, approximately. This was so I could allow a Led strip to be fitted underneath without being seen.

I then tanked the retaining block wall with a tanking slurry to damp proof, giving the wall two coats and left to dry completely over a 2 week period, I used KA tanking slurry.

I then mixed adhesive with latex additive to make a durable adhesive. I then serrated the wall using a 10mm notched trowel. I buttered the back of the rustic stone panel with a thin layer of my adhesive and applied to the wall using pressure.

I was coming off of a level floor so I used 4mm spacers to put the first line of panels on so they wouldn’t sit on water. I just worked my way up the wall, applying the key stones as I went.

Some of the panels were slightly sizey so I had to adjust using an angle grinder. Once the job was complete, we allowed 24 hours to set.

We applied 2 coats of natural stone sealer on the stone to hopefully prevent any future greening, so far so good. It made the stone look slightly darker, which we liked and brought out all the stones natural veins also, which I think gave it more character.

This is a Project yet to be completed however the use of Ochre XLV, Softens and compliments a high end build.
Here in these pictures is a perfect example that demonstrates how Norstone Cladding can transform common features normally considered eyesores, such as garaging, into a focal point of an architecturally inspired home.
The gallery here shows how the cladding Rock Panels™ not only incorporate the garage into the design, but rather it becomes part of the overall gorgeous design of this new build. This is done solely through the use of Norstone Ochre XLV stone cladding.

These three pictures have been taken at exactly the same time and yet, you can see how the different light changes the look of the Ochre XLV stone cladding. With the direct sunlight, the Ochre XLV has a soft Cotswold Sandstone effect, while in areas of no sunlight, the Ochre XLV embodies the more rustic hues, mixed with soft burnt orange, with a light contemporary grey. It is truly a masterpiece waiting for its new home owners to also enjoy and no doubt, enjoy bragging rights.
 
We at Norstone truly take pride in our Guaranteed and Warrantied installations, bring new joy but more importantly, new design concepts into the ever increasing usage of stone cladding for premium modern external design.

Have you ever looked at a textured stone wall and wondered if it’s actually made of stone? The answer is probably modern stone cladding. Stone cladding is a refined or thin layer of natural/artificial stone, which is applied to an interior (or exterior) wall, to give the effect that it is made entirely of stone. Natural stone is preferred for a more authentic, rustic and durable finish.

Stone cladding itself is said to date back to the late 19th century – historically stone veneer panels were even used in Rome alongside the outside structure of the coliseum. Over the years, cladding has come a long way from this, and is constantly improving.
 
Traditional Cladding
Stone is just one of the many materials used for cladding, but you may be wondering what cladding actually is and what’s its purpose.

The definition of cladding, is that the material is designed to be used as an almost ‘second skin’ to a wall, for decorative reasons.

The decorative element speaks for itself as it’s very pleasing on the eye. It gives an element of class to any room and is different to your standard wallpaper or panelling.

When it comes to choosing cladding, there are many types of materials available, such as:

• Natural Stone
• Artificial Stone
• Vinyl
• Wood
• Fibre cement
• External foam
• Weatherboard
• Ceramic
• Concrete
• Metal
• Brick

Depending on the type of cladding you go for, stone or not, it should always be done by a professional. The process can be complicated, but in the hands of a trained expert (depending on what type of stone tile, a tiler or stonemason may be required), no stone cladding job is too big, literally.

How much does stone cladding cost?
The cost of stone cladding will be determined according to numerous factors; from how much you need, the material you’re using and the labour time it will take to fit. Although stone sits at the higher end of price in comparison to the other materials, it goes with the saying “you get what you’re paying for”. Natural stone costs between £49-100/m2.

The best way to calculate your costs is to take measurements of the are you wish to clad, then find your desired stone cladding panel system. By working out the size of the cladding fitting onto your surface area, you can achieve a rough estimate. You can also send these measurements across to Norstone for a quote if needed, just to get a more realistic answer.

Even though natural stone cladding may come out slightly higher in price, the benefits certainly outweigh the cost.

The benefits of Stone Cladding

Its appearance
Stone cladding will dramatically change the look and feel of any wall, pillar, column or surface it is applied to. Its elegance speaks for itself when you see the stunning appearance it portrays. Because natural stone is so unique it can either go down the road of no two colours are the same to being a complete block colour. Because stone gives off such an exceptional look, you can have the option of so many colours and textures that it will completely transform the space you’re using it for.

It's durable
This is a no brainer here, as we all know how tough natural stone is as a material for reference, Norstone cladding is crafted from Quartzite, Marble, Basalt, Lavastone and similar which are inherently durable). This is particularly important if you are using it on a well-used area, such as a fireplace. If you are constantly kneeling or arranging tools around this, you are less likely to cause any damage to stone cladding.

In addition to this is, if you decide to use it on an exterior wall, stone cladding is robust and can withstand the effects from all forms of nature. Come rain or wind, your stone cladding is there to stay. It’s even fire resistant, which is a great added benefit.

It's versatile
Because of its robust nature, you can literally use stone cladding anywhere. Whether this if for a fireplace, outside exterior or even a bathroom, stone cladding has got you covered. If you’ve got a vivid imagination, you can have your stone designed to fit any area in and out of your home. It can be made to fit around your needs, with a spectacular finishing effect. Commercial real estate and architects have been using the stone cladding solution for a few decades now and now it has become a rapidly growing popular choice for homeowners too.

It’ll increase the value of your property
As previously stated, natural stone isn’t the cheapest of cladding, but it's an investment that could pay off further down the line. By choosing natural stone, it may assist you in realising your resale expectations of your property if you decide to sell. Because of its environmental factors and durability, it’s a benefit for potential buyers to invest in.

If you’re using in on your exterior walls, it may enhance your property and add ‘kerb appeal’.

It’s easy to maintain
Norstone will generally recommend that the cladding be treated with a easy to apply water based sealant, both internally and externally as this will keep the cladding in pristine conditions and greatly reduce the need to clean and maintain the surfaces.

It’s unique
Natural stone is quarried not made, so no two pieces are exactly the same - this unique beauty will give you a finish that no one else has. Because stone comes in all shapes, sizes, hues and tints you can expect a lovely variation across a surface, although you may prefer to opt for a honed stone cladding finish (this process smooths all the cladding panels and will greatly unify the colours if you prefer a highly uniform finish). Regardless of your choice of natural stone material, a clad expanse will really make your walls stand out, no matter what room you use it in.
 
Related questions

How thick is stone cladding?
This can be down to what material of stone you wish to use and what manufacturers advise for the area you’re using it on. For exterior and interior walls, natural stone cladding may be up to 35mm thickness.
 
What is stone veneer?
It is often used in conjunction with stone cladding. This type of stone is used as the same purpose as cladding, but usually for cosmetic repair areas. It often differs to stone cladding as it is made to be more lightweight and easier to handle. It is commonly made to be easier to cut and to fit certain areas.

A wonderful modern private home, built with a perfectly restrained palette of darks, greys and charcoal. Norstone XLS Rock Panel cladding features extensively, inside and out. The photo gallery demonstrates the harmonious combinations of charcoal cladding, metal panel cladding and more streamlined tiled cladding. Combined together they build a strong look of contrasting textures, all united by the monochromatic colour scheme.

Applied to the outer walls, in particular around the main entrance, the highly practical cladding panels and corner units allowed the architects to achieve statuesque column styling with ease. Internally, the XLS charcoal makes a stunning statement when combined with the ultra modern floating glass staircase - it is also used in the swimming pool area, casting intriguing reflections on the water surface and grounding the space well.

Designed by Helyer Davies Architects, this stunning contemporary build is well worth exploring:

https://hdarchitects.co.uk/projects/harbour-house-chichester-harbour/

Norstone, the real home of all-natural Stone Cladding, recently introduced the new product range called Planc™, firstly in the USA some 9 months ago and more recently, just being launched here in UK.
 
The Planc™ cladding tile range consists of 5 striking colour and stone types, namely, Ebony and Grey Basalt, Silver Grey Quartz, and stunning Platinum and Graphite Lavastone. All Planc™ stone tiles are smooth and consistent in depth, creating a very consistent and tidy stone cladding wall surface.
 
The Planc™ stone cladding range comes in sets of 3 differing sizes, all 800mm in length, all 20mm thick, but in 3 heights, consisting of 140mm/ 80mm/ 60mm.
 
There is no strict pattern required for installation, they can be staggered, uniform, or even spaced to allow for grouting (internal installs only). Even vertical installation is possible for a very different look and feel. The length of the Planc™ provides elegance to any Interior Designer’s / Architect’s designs.
 
Having very recently released it in the UK, we have on more than a few locations, received orders from builders who have seen it being installed nearby, and their clients have enquired as to who is producing this beautiful Planc™ Range.
 
It’s undoubtedly eye-catching and offers something very different to the commonly used rock panels – the sleek, clean lines are for those looking for an elegant and refined finish.
 
You may ask is it hard to install correctly when they are varying different size panels? Norstone has taken this into account when packaging the Planc™ Range. We produce the Planc™ panels in sets of 3, which takes out all the confusion of selecting appropriate panels when installing. The sleek lines, butt jointed to each other and all panels are machine cut to create a look that makes the Planc™ tiles stand out from the rest of stone cladding products available in the UK.
 
Special new features include pre-assembled Corner sections in all the range, while the Platinum Lavastone Planc™ does not require honed corners at all because the ends are the same colour as the facing - this affords the buyer extra cost savings as an added bonus.
 
Lavastone Planc™ in Platinum and Graphite also have uniquely pitted and textured surfaces (looks a bit like moon rock!) while the Basalt Planc™ Range, has a very silky smooth and elegant finish which is soft and inviting to the touch.
 
We also recommend a skilled professional tiler installs your Planc™ cladding project to make sure you achieve the best possible result and look – we have a lot of documentation and guidelines available on pour website and we can also put you in touch with tried and tested installers if you want to get your stone cladding looking perfect.
 
So, would you consider having a Planc™ clad wall or fireplace? As you can see from the photos above, it is a stunning effect and stands apart from traditional, rough-hewn stone cladding that is typically supplied in the UK – if you want to be different and stand out from the crowd, maybe the Norstone Planc™ cladding system is for you.

Do you want to see how to prepare and install Norstone’s incredible natural stone cladding in real-life projects?

Our American division has partnered with popular Youtuber HandyDadTV to create a video that showcases the amazing Planc™ Platinum Lava Stone cladding system. In this video, created in conjunction with Norstone USA, HandyDad looks at various ranges of Norstone stone cladding and explains why he choose a modern tiled cladding effect over a more traditional stacked stone style.

In this clear and instructive video, he guides the viewer through the process of installing Planc™ Platinum  stone cladding tiles onto a fireplace surround with a range of top DIY tips and guidance for best tools and gear to get the job done! Whilst the video is created with a US audience in mind, the technique and process is exactly the same for installing Norstone over here in the UK too. If you choose Norstone cladding, we would recommend suitable mounting materials and adhesive/sealants options that you can source within the UK which match up to those shown in the video.

For more guidance and any questions on the installation, please contact us; we'd be happy to help!

More awesome HandyDadTV videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/smalltal...
HandyDadTV website: https://handydad.tv/
Follow HandyDad on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter: @HandyDadTV

Norstone Rustik™ stone cladding Range, namely the Charcoal and Ochre, has just been approved for Norstone's System warranty with Laticrete and Knauf.

This warranty/Guarantee is for both internal and external stone cladding surfaces. It has taken many years to develop a Rustik™ stone cladding range, which is easy to install and does not have the horizontal lines, which is normally seen in a lot of competing products. There is no concrete backing, just purely 100% natural stone.

If you are affixing Rustik™, you now have the added benefit of a Guarantee/warranty from Laticrete/Knauf within the Norstone system.

In order for these to be valid, installation must be in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations which can be viewed on the Norstone Masterguide.
 
The new Norstone Rustik™ Range which is now officially launched this Spring / Summer  will provide stone cladding buyers with a real alternative to the existing choices that currently available within this market. The Rustik™ can now be applied to external standard concrete block work or brick work. It now can be also applied to the Knauf Aqua exterior boarding, which allows for timber and steel framing to be introduced within the project design.
 
The Norstone Rustik™ all natural stone cladding construction creates a look that can normally only be achieved with a stone mason's expertise and skill. Now this new stone panel system can be installed by a skilled tradesperson who has the eye for detail.

It is truly an innovative new stone cladding product from Norstone and opens up a world of new design opportunites.

Rustik™ is available in Charcoal, Ochre Blend (external and internal) and Aztec (internal only)

Read more about the Rustik™ range.

Architects and interior designers specify Norstone because of the range of quality natural stone cladding products such as the Classic Rock Panel Range, consisting of large formats, with standard and the new Slim line Range. This particular range caters for all project budgets and now allows the Norstone Range to be an affordable option for the smallest or largest installs. 
 
With the new Basalt stone cladding range which can be supplied in Planc™, Aksent™ and Lynia™ formats, it allows for the contemporary smooth finish to impress your friends or customers with an elegant finish that will be the envy of all.

The Planc™ range now comes in Basalt, Silver Grey, Graphite, and Platinum lavastone. The colour ranges from Dark Ebony to the natural soft colours of Platinum, which is a very light grey. These colours are neutral and allows home owners plus Architects to install stone cladding which will be sympathetic to a host of other materials and soft furnishings.
 
Norstone also provides Warranties on the affixing of its stone cladding through its partners Laticrete, James Hardie and Knauf for complete peace of mind. These warranties/Guarantees provide the level of comfort for all installers of Norstone's stone cladding products.
 
Norstone provides a comprehensive stone cladding sample request service, which will deliver any sample request within the UK, next day service, as long as the request is received before 12 noon. For Architects and interior designers, this is a free service, while private individuals there is a small charge, which is wholly refundable when a purchase is made.
 
With the help of beautiful natural stone, we to can help turn your project into something wonderful and marvellous. Norstone have been leading the way in beautiful natural stone panel systems since 2003 - we're proud of our heritage and we continue to develop and extend our offerings regularly - so watch this space!