Masonry Magazine November 2003 Page. 26
STONE VENEER
It's really **important**, number one, to get the **details** right **from** the **beginning**.
`
Technical Representative for Arriscraft International in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada, had this to add concerning one style of thin stone veneer: thin bed adhered stone wall system.
`
"For the United States, we refer to ACI 530 [ASCE 5/TMS 602)," explains Swirzon. "Basically, what that states is the weight restriction for a thin set masonry application is 15lbs/sq.ft. You can't go above 15lbs/sq.ft. because, essentially, what happens is the unit becomes too heavy.
`
"Let's say you start with a 3/4-inch thick unit and you want to get the corbeled look, so you step it out another half-inch, which brings you to 1-1/4 inches. At 1-1/4 inches, for our material, you're right on the line you're right at 15lbs/sq.ft."
`
"If you then take our material and want to go another half-inch, you're at 1-3/4 inches thick," Swirzon continues. "That will be too thick because now the weight is above the 15lbs/sq.ft. limitation. So there are some weight restrictions in terms of how you apply it.
`
"Now, again, that would be true of any masonry you are using," he cautions. "You can only go up to a certain thickness and you have to take into consideration the weight of the units."
`
"If you are going to do more detail work, like corbels, lintels or keystones, you'd have to prep for it in advance for the thin veneer," adds DeMaria. "That's not a big deal, but a lot of times as we're working the client might come up with ideas and the house is already framed. With this scenario, we wouldn't be able to accomplish the changes for the client. With full-dimension stone, you have a little bit more flexibility.
`
UNIQUE DRYSTACK APPLICATION FOR ADDED REALISM
Eldorado Stone has named the Montage Resort and Spa in Laguna Beach, Calif., as its Project of the Quarter. This beautiful new craftsman-style hotel opened earlier this year and has already won three major awards; Robb Report's "Best of the Best Resorts", Celebrated Living Magazine's "#1 Spa on the 2003 Platinum List," and Food and Wine Magazine's "Best New Hotel Restaurants - Studio."
`
The resort features a large, oceanfront spa and fitness center, three pools, 20,000 square feet of meeting space and more than 300 custom rooms ranging from $500 to $5,000 per night.
`
Eldorado worked closely with the architects, Hill-Glazier, Athens Design Group and Lionelli Masonry to complete this project. The masons painstakingly cut the majority of stone pieces to create a unique drystack application that is so realistic looking that even the most discerning eye would have difficulty in determining that manufactured stone was used.
`
The Montage Spa & Resort project was a very complex, custom installation as well as a custom stone type (sequoia rustic ledge with custom banding). There were a lot of specifications beyond the norm for this job. Because of these factors, it was quite a long and timely process to manage and complete this job. It's not the typical job, but the effort obviously was worth it now that the job is complete.
`
Framing
"YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER when you are going to use the thin veneer, you have to frame the wall correctly to receive it. The stone itself needs to adhere right to the wall that you are going against," states DeMaria. "So, if you have a battered wall - an angled wall that started out wide at the bottom and narrow at the top-then, of course, the framework would need to be battered so that you can create the battered stonework."
`
"It's really important, number one, to get the details right from the beginning," agrees Swirzon. "So the designer has to make sure that the details are right, that moisture is being flashed away from the wall system. Then, secondly, we have to get it constructed properly and making sure that we get a good marriage between detailing and construction."