Masonry Magazine January 2017 Page. 43
not concrete. Because thin veneer is easily cut, masonry crews are using diamond blades to shape each stone to the point where it looks fake or like a tile job. I constantly hear "tight joints" from customers and I respond by saying "you mean consistent joints." No job should have large ugly joints. That's not what I'm saying.
The best full bed veneer jobs have consistent half inch or slightly less joints that are recessed. Joints do have a purpose, especially in areas that have harsh winters where expansion and contraction are serious issues. Instead of taking out the diamond blade for every cut, we shape the stone with our chipping hammer. This gives the cuts a natural look and doesn't change the character of the stone. We believe it keeps the thin veneer looking like a full veneer, and most importantly doesn't make it look like a tile.
If you don't have experience with hand cutting stone, it may take some time to learn how to use your chipping hammer. But once you master this skill, you will never go back to the diamond blade as your primary tool. Of course, there are instances where the diamond blade is a huge help, especially with cutting the heights and widths of corners. You don't want to use you chipping hammer on corners, if they break it will be very costly because some corners can be over $20 a linear foot.
The thin stone veneer business has grown immensely around the country and because ofthat, there are always those fly-by-night fabricators that jump in and are not prepared or qualified to be in the business. Their stone may not always be consistent, which on a large job could get you in trouble.
I have heard the horror stories of masons on large jobs that just needed a few hundred square feet to finish, and when the stone arrived it was completely different than the thousand square feet that was already installed. How do you fix that?
We have used stone from various companies over the years and must say there is a difference in quality. Buyer beware! Make sure to see the product your are buying. Try not to order from just seeing a sample board, though in some cases this may be your only option. If possible, walk the yard of your supplier to see the stone on pallets, in natural lighting. As you may be already aware of, stone varies in color, texture, and size. A sample board may only be able show you a small piece.
One major part of what sets companies apart is their corners. Corners are 90 degrees, not 45 degrees (or somewhere in between). I can't tell you how frustrating it is to be on a job trying to plum corners using a product that has no right to be called a corner.
Thin stone has changed the market for the better. It has given stone masons more opportunity to do jobs that weren't possible before. The way you prep the job might change with new techniques and products, but the philosophy on the actual setting of the stone hasn't changed.
Start from the corners and work your way in balancing color, ratio, and consistent joints. Our world of masonry products might change, but great work stays the same century after century. Which is fitting; we honor those who came before us in the work we do.
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