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For one, the way they’re made is different. Instead of having a full slab of wood, PVC, or other material, stone cladding takes time to form the cladding itself. Stone cladding is cast into a veneer. Pieces of manufactured or natural stone are adhered together and filled with grout to form a solid cladding. Unlike other materials and apart from the time it takes to make, stone cladding is also heavy compared to its contemporaries.

To clean visible dirt particles first, use a simple soft bristle brush. Use a mild type of detergent mixed with water as needed. You may also use a solution of a part white vinegar to five parts water. After brushing, don’t forget to rinse with clean water to eliminate any cleaning solution that remains. Do not use heavy-duty cleaners like wire brushes, acid cleaners, power washers, bleach, paint remover or any other type of concrete cleaner.

When the stone cladding veneer is cast, the base colour is spread and blended throughout. The colour becomes part of the veneer. Just like natural stone, there should be minimal noticeable colour changes even after years of weathering. When installed correctly, the stone cladding should also fare well against the elements, notably rain and snow. Unless something significant happens, installations should last you a lifetime.

There’s no average timeframe for these kinds of projects. It would depend on the project’s overall scope: how much area is needed to be covered, consideration of existing installations and furnishings, lead time on materials, your other build particulars, and other things. It would be best to talk to your Tasker to get a more proper estimate and manage expectations for your project.

Under normal circumstances, no. The weight of stone claddings might be too much for ceilings. However, it would still be best to ask your Tasker if they can deliver on such a request. It would still be a case-to-case basis. Typically, lighter materials like wood or PVC are used for ceiling claddings. In most cases, straight-up painting the ceiling would be the most cost-effective way to go.

Stone claddings tend not to be fire hazards, being rated to have zero combustibility so they won’t produce smoke even if they’re subject to fire. However, that’s not an excuse to haphazardly install stone cladding around a fireplace. Just to be on the safe side, it is recommended to have stone claddings installed 18 inches away from your fireplace or any source of the fire.