Cladding

The word cladding is applied to all manner of building façade systems but when used with natural stone it stems from the development of steel and concrete structures that are clad with more attractive stone but are not load bearing. In past centuries the use of stone for cladding was founded on time honoured principles of load bearing masonry construction, but the modern method is mechanical fixing systems using metal corbels, cramps and dowels that transfer the loads onto the structural frame. With its load bearing functions removed it has become more economical to use due to thinner panel thickness.

A further development has been the use of stone as rainscreen cladding this has the added advantage that the sealing of movement joints is not necessary this allows the stone be ventilated from behind meaning faster drying time and minimal mould growth. Another option of natural stone cladding is to use precast cladding systems, which are factory fabricated and allow for higher tolerances and faster erection on site. In manufacturing the stone is laid face down in a mould, concrete and steel re-enforcing are laid over it, this means that stone with a thickness of 20~50mm can be used depending on the stone selected.

Hardscape approach any cladding scheme in the same manner as paving projects, from intial concept drawings through the process of CAD drawings and templates to the on-site construction and implementation of the scheme.