Install Guide For Veneers

General Fixing Information -

Prepare the material & substrate: Before installation, lay out all the slate and stone veneer sheets that will be used in the same area on a flat surface. Arrange the sheets until you are happy with the continuity of the natural colour, pattern and variation between them. Make sure the substrate is clean, dry, flat and suitable for the installation. We recommend applying an SBR primer to suitable substrates where required to help provide a strong bond with the adhesive.

Adhering: We recommend using a suitable hybrid polymer adhesive for most slate and stone veneer installations. Suitable adhesives are available from our accessories range. For dry internal walls and wet areas, our Lite Stone Stone Veneer adhesive is available in black and clear.

For translucent stone veneer, or installations where a transparent adhesive is required, use our specialist Lite Stone adhesive for translucent stone veneer.

Apply a thin, even layer of adhesive rather than creating a thick adhesive bed with a wide notched trowel. Spread the adhesive across the surface to achieve full contact between the veneer sheet and substrate, avoiding hollow areas or gaps. This is particularly important in wet areas to help achieve a full bond between the sheets and substrate.

In most installations, we recommend applying the adhesive to the resin backing of the veneer sheet. Avoid applying adhesive right to the edge, as it will spread when the sheet is pressed into position.

Masking tape can be applied to the edges of the stone surface before installation to help prevent adhesive getting onto the face or joints. If adhesive does reach the surface, remove it promptly using the appropriate cleaning method for the adhesive being used.

Once positioned, press the sheet firmly and evenly onto the substrate using a suitable float or roller. A soft-bristled decorator's brush can then be used to remove any loose stone particles from the surface.

Jointing and grouting the sheets: Most installations use tightly butted joints, with the veneer sheets fitted closely together without leaving a conventional grout joint. This creates a continuous natural stone finish and makes installation quicker. If you prefer the appearance of traditional stone tiles, a grout joint can be left between the sheets. Apply masking tape to the edges of the stone before grouting and take care to prevent grout getting onto the natural stone face, as it can be difficult to remove.

Cutting: Slate and stone veneer sheets can be cut using an angle grinder with a suitable tile blade, multi-tool, Dremel-type tool or tile saw. The best method will depend on the type of cut required and the material being installed. Mark your cut accurately before cutting. Depending on the tool being used, sheets can be cut from the resin backing or from the natural stone face. If you are unfamiliar with cutting stone veneer, we recommend practising on a sample or offcut before cutting a full-size sheet.

Fixing jumbo 240 x 120cm sheets: Our jumbo sheets are normally shipped rolled and packaged in a box. Before installation, unroll the sheets and lay them flat.

The resin backing can become stiffer when cold and may retain some of the curve from being transported in a roll. Gently warm the resin backing with a heat gun to make the sheet more malleable and easier to flatten and install. Do not overheat the sheet; gentle warming is sufficient.

Fixing Translucent Stone Veneer for Backlighting: Translucent stone veneer can be bonded to a transparent rigid backing such as Perspex, acrylic or toughened glass. The backing should be sufficiently rigid to support the veneer.

LED light panels or suitable LED modules can then be positioned behind the backing to illuminate the natural stone. When using LED modules, we recommend allowing a minimum gap of approximately 60mm between the lighting and the panel to help achieve an even distribution of light and reduce visible hotspots.

Use our specialist transparent Lite Stone adhesive for translucent stone veneer. As this adhesive bonds on contact, carefully position the sheet before fixing it to the transparent backing. Apply masking tape to the edges of the natural stone surface to help prevent adhesive getting onto the face of the stone.

Making external corners: External corners can be created by butt-jointing the slate or stone veneer sheets tightly together. For a neater finish, apply masking tape along each side of the corner and carefully sand the joined edges with suitable sandpaper to remove sharp edges and create a smoother finished corner.

Sealing the stone surface: Natural stone surfaces can be susceptible to staining, so sealing is recommended for applications where additional protection is required. Use a suitable natural stone impregnator or sealer designed for slate and stone. If you want to retain the natural appearance of the material, choose a non-colour-enhancing sealer. We offer a suitable sealer and impregnator in our accessories range that does not significantly alter the colour or appearance of the stone.

We recommend sealing slate and stone veneer used in bathrooms, kitchens, flooring applications and exterior installations. Sealing may not always be necessary for general interior living areas where the stone is unlikely to be exposed to moisture or staining.

Ongoing care and maintenance: For regular cleaning, use a suitable natural stone cleaner. We offer a stone care cleaner in our accessories range. For everyday dust and loose dirt, the surface can be cleaned with a soft-bristled brush. When wet cleaning is required, avoid acidic or alkaline cleaning solutions and use a pH-neutral cleaner suitable for natural stone. Do not use hard-bristled brushes, abrasive scourers or other harsh cleaning tools, as these may scratch or damage the surface of some natural stone veneers.