The Difference Between Thin Stone Veneer And Full Stone Veneer

A Tudor home clad with thin stone veneer by Lennox Masonry in Victoria, BC

Victoria, BC is home to many residential and commercial buildings which are clad in either thin stone veneer or full stone veneer. Stone veneers are actually woven into the building codes in this region and Vancouver Island is home to a variety of stone quarries which provide an abundance of beautiful stone at an affordable price. If you're considering natural stone for your next project but are weary about the overall costs of materials and installation, we highly recommend reading our article: Natural Stone Vs. Cultured Stone And Increasing Your Home's Value and thoroughly consider your home's value, maintenance, and the longevity associated with natural stone products.

An Overview of Full Stone Veneer:

Full stone veneer fireplace built by Lennox Masonry in Victoria BC

- When cladding a home or business, full stone veneer requires an age-old method of installation which requires less materials when it comes to preparing the exterior for the stone application, equating to financial savings. However, full stone veneer does require a concrete footer or thick-gauge steel lintels, prior to install in order to bear the weight of the stone wall.

- Full stone veneer is typically cut to a depth of 3"-6", but most products are cut to a 4" depth.

- Labour costs for the installation of full stone veneers can greatly increase when compared to the cost of installing thin stone veneers, but, once again, there are a few factors that need to be taken into consideration, such as the following:

1) The height of the wall: The addition of scaffolding introduces greater labour costs due to the time it takes to transport the necessary materials upwards.

2) Properly shaping and cutting full veneer stones can be much more time consuming than their thin veneer counterparts due to their weight and size.

The Benefits of Full Stone Veneer:

Full stone veneer pillar and fireplace built by Lennox Masonry in Victoria BC

You will not find a more durable and aesthetically pleasing product than full stone veneer. When applied properly with a gap between it and the exterior wall, it will unquestionably protect and insulate your home for the duration of its life-span. Its ability to withstand the elements and yearly freeze/thaw cycles is unmatched. When properly maintained, you can rest assured that moisture will not penetrate the mortar joints or the framing behind the veneer, making it a low maintenance solution.

Besides the protective aspects of full stone veneer, the sheer size and unique qualities of it, make for a powerful and beautiful look.

An Overview of Thin Stone Veneer:

A thin stone veneer clad home built by Lennox Masonry in Victoria, B.C.

- Thin stone veneer requires preparatory materials such as furring strips, bug-screen, construction paper, lath, and a scratch coat of mortar, to ensure the protection of the home, which increases its initial costs in comparison to full stone veneer. However, it does not require a concrete footer or any structural support due to its low weight.

- Thin stone veneer is cut to a depth of 1"-2".

- Labour costs for the installation of thin stone veneer can differ depending on the scope of the project, but they will probably remain less costly than that of installing full stone veneer.

The Benefits of Thin Stone Veneer:

A Tudor home clad with thin stone veneer by Lennox Masonry in Victoria BC

Because of how light and compact thin veneer is, it makes for an ideal product within a home's interior space. It can be easily customized (shaped) and there are no restrictions in regards to its application method, as each stone is not dependant upon the other for support while the mortar cures.

Thin stone veneer also embodies the same natural beauty and raw strength as full stone veneer does, but lacks the overall depth that full veneer does..

So Which Type of Stone Best Suits Your Specific Needs?

Well, its difficult to say but with the help of an experienced and knowledgable masonry contractor to go over your options with, I'm sure the right choice will become apparent.

With years of experience in this field, Lennox Masonry is well equipped to assess and address your masonry needs.

Give Us A Call At: 778-968-6574

As always, if you have any questions, please, comment below or write to us at sean@lennoxmasonry.com

To check out some of our other Blog Posts and obtain information for a wide-variety of additional Masonry applications, please click here.

Sean Lennox,

Lennox Masonry, Victoria BC

Lennox Masonry of Victoria, BC has been proudly serving both Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands for over a decade. We are small group of skilled masons with a great deal of passion towards our trade and for improving the communities we live and work in. We extend our gratitude to the lək̓ʷəŋən people for allowing us to share and work on this corner of the garden with them. We are thankful for the residents and businesses of Victoria, BC for supporting us in our endeavors!

If you’re in need of a professional and reliable masonry company for your next project, please contact us today!