Technical Information

Veneer stone is genuine stone cut into thin widths. It can be fixed to various types of walls with an appropriate mortar adhesive available from Allstone. Veneers come in various sizes according to the pattern selected: eg random ashlar pattern (mixed lengths and heights) or coursed ashlar (mixed lengths and one height).

Lengths: 230mm, 350mm, 470mm and 590mm
Heights: 76mm, 162mm and 248mm
Thickness: 15mm or 20mm (depending on stone + protruding rock face)

The stone is carefully packed in wooden crates to avoid breakages and to enable loading and unloading with a forklift.

• Stone is cut to fit with standard brick construction and allows for 10mm joints. This dramatically reduces laying time and on site waste of stone.
• Stone is sold by the square metre; measurements are calculated on wall area allowing for 10mm joints.
• Approximately 25s.m. smooth face veneer or 17s.m. of rock face veneer equals 1 tonne.

NOTE: Sandstone veneers are now available for stack or stretcher bond pattern in selected stones.

Blocks are stone cut in traditional large thicknesses. Precisely cut for random or coursed ashlar patterns allowing for standard footings and cavity wall construction. Blocks come in various sizes according to the pattern selected: eg random ashlar pattern (mixed lengths and heights) or coursed ashlar pattern (mixed lengths and one height).

Lengths: 230mm, 350mm, 470mm and 590mm
Heights: 76mm, 162mm and 248mm
Thickness: 100mm (+ protruding rock face)

• Stone is cut to fit with standard brick construction and allows for 10mm joints. This dramatically reduces laying time and on site waste of stone.
• All pallets/crates are supplied with mixed lengths and heights for random ashlar pattern or mixed lengths and one height for coursed ashlar work.
• Stone is sold by the square metre; measurements are calculated on wall area allowing for 10mm joints.
• Approximately 4s.m. equals 1 tonne.

NOTE: Special sizes can be cut on request.

The following adhesives, available from Allstone, are recommended depending on substrate:

• Tilebond Extra
• Just-2-Ezy

1. Apply Uniprime primer, depending on substrate.
2. Using the recommended adhesive, evenly butter both the back of the tile as well as the floor or wall with a 10mm notched trowel
3. Use Tarver method to apply the stone to the floor or wall:
   “Spread the adhesive on the surface to achieve the best possible mechanical bond. ‘Rib’ the adhesive with a notched trowel of an appropriate size to obtain a uniform thickness. When the trowel is held at an appropriate angle and its notched side is drawn over the adhesive, it will give a series of parallel ribs. The tiles should be pressed into and moved at least the width of a rib perpendicular to the adhesive ribs. This should achieve both the minimum required coverage and bed thickness. This operation has to be carried out correctly as adequate ribs are essential to ensure an evenly distributed area of contact between tile and adhesive”. These ribs should be horizontal for walls.

Technical reports may suggest natural stone is suitable around swimming pools however our professional experience indicates all stones can be susceptible to salt degradation. We recommend all stone be sealed with an appropriate sealer by a licensed applicator, especially sandstone which is a more porous stone. Ideally for pools a salt free filtration system such as ozone should be used if possible.

Adelaide stonemasons have traditionally used random ashlar pattern (a variety of sizes) in their work. As an alternative, an interesting effect can be made by coursing stones using different lengths but the same height (coursed ashlar) and then on every 2nd or 3rd course introduce a narrow band to break the pattern (banding). Another effect can be achieved by using coursing with different heights (random coursed ashlar) as well as the normal brick pattern (stretcher or brick bond).

Flush/Slightly Recessed Pointing is similar to the way that bricks are usually pointed.
Scribed Line Pointing is where the mortar is smeared over the edges of the stone and then a line is scribed into the mortar. The aim is to blur the edge of the stone.
Fine Line Pointing is the same as above but with the scribed line painted in.
Raked joints are where the mortar is taken out to a depth of approx. 1-2cm. This is mainly used on solid uncut blocks such as Bluestone.

The colour and texture of the sand used for pointing up is critical to the final finish. To ensure that the best quality is achieved Allstone has brought in large quantities of pointing sand from a quarry in Victoria just to point up our veneer and block work. The finish we achieve is definitely worth the trouble.
Don’t forget, when pointing up always use clean water to immediately sponge off mortar stains as you go.

We have test results for our Sandstone 'Sand Dune' in both a summary and a full report.

We also have test results for our Basalt 'Dawn Grey' in both a summary and a full report.

All natural stones are products of nature and as such no two pieces are exactly alike. Colour variations will occur both initially and over time. We recommend inspecting the material prior to installation to check the colour, veining, sizing, finish and prepare any blending required to meet owner / buyer approval. The purchaser acknowledges that additional stone ordered at a later date may not be available, can be more costly and cannot be guaranteed to match the original stone. Free quotations are estimates calculated on areas plus cutting and wastage. Wall measurements include 10mm pointing in length and widths. No responsibility is taken for any mistakes in estimations. All measurements are nominal sizes only, variations may occur as a consequence of quarrying and cutting. Appropriate measures should be taken when laying pavers to prevent ingress of salt from subsoil, especially around pools (e.g. use of Forticon & sealers). When using adhesives to install stone the "Tarver" method must be used. No claims will be accepted after material is installed. We recommend that all stone be sealed with the appropriate DryTreat sealer by a licensed applicator. When labour is included, the builder (or owner) is responsible for waste management on site to conform to EPA standards.

Please note that the images on this site are digital photographs of the actual stone. The colours may vary depending on screen settings.
We will not be held responsible for any inconvenience arising directly or indirectly from this issue.