Natural Stone Slips

Stone cladding is a wall covering made from real pieces of natural stone, selected for their natural colour, split faces, cleft surfaces, uneven edges and rugged rock-face appearance. These natural stone slips are arranged in a mould to form staggered Z-shaped panels, then fixed together with mesh backing, cement-based bonding material, stone adhesive, and in some cases metal hooks or mechanical fixings for added stability. Once installed, natural stone cladding gives the wall genuine depth, shadow, colour variation and an uneven layered appearance. This is different from cheaper manufactured or fake stone cladding, which is usually made from concrete, resin or composite materials rather than real stone.

Yes. Natural stone cladding systems such as back mesh stone cladding and cement-backed stone cladding are widely used for exterior walls across the UK and can perform reliably in typical British weather conditions, including rain, temperature variation and seasonal frost. When installed on a stable substrate using a suitable exterior-grade adhesive system, stone cladding offers long-term durability and resistance to weathering, making it suitable for garden walls, house facades and other outdoor feature areas.

Stone cladding should be installed on strong, stable and properly prepared surfaces such as concrete, brickwork, cement render or tile backer boards. These substrates provide the necessary strength to support the weight of natural stone panels. Lightweight or flexible surfaces such as standard plasterboard are generally not suitable unless properly reinforced, as insufficient support may lead to long-term instability or fixing issues.

Natural stone cladding typically weighs between 30 kg and 45 kg per square metre, depending on the material and thickness of the panels. This weight is an important consideration when selecting suitable substrates and fixing methods. It is important to ensure that the wall structure is capable of supporting this load, particularly for vertical exterior applications or larger feature walls.

Sealing is not generally required for natural stone cladding, and in many cases it is not recommended, as applying a sealer can slightly darken the surface and reduce the natural appearance of the stone. If sealing is preferred, a breathable impregnating sealer that does not alter the colour of the stone should be used, particularly in areas exposed to moisture such as exterior walls or bathrooms.

Stone cladding should be installed using a high-quality flexible tile adhesive suitable for natural stone, typically rated S1 or above for exterior applications, to ensure reliable bonding and accommodate minor movement in the substrate. We generally do not recommend untested or OEM-labelled stone cladding adhesives. Instead, it is advisable to use well-established products such as Kerakoll H40 Gel Adhesive S1, which are widely used across the UK, readily available from local builders’ merchants, competitively priced and proven in long-term applications.

In most standard residential applications, stone cladding panels can be securely fixed using a suitable adhesive system alone, provided the substrate is stable and properly prepared. For higher walls, commercial projects or areas subject to additional stress, we recommend using cement-backed stone cladding systems, which are designed with integrated fixing points to allow screw installation into the wall. However, mechanical fixing alone should not be relied upon, and the use of a high-quality adhesive remains essential to ensure long-term stability and secure bonding.

Yes. Stone cladding panels, particularly Z panel systems, are designed for faster and more straightforward installation than individual stone slips, as they are supplied in pre-assembled interlocking sections. This reduces installation time and labour costs while maintaining a natural stacked stone appearance, making them a popular choice for both domestic and commercial projects.

Our pricing is based on a direct-import supply model, where we sell products from our own overseas factory in the UK. By removing traditional distribution layers, we keep prices close to the source while maintaining consistent quality.

With strong and stable sales volumes, we operate efficiently at scale, allowing us to maintain reasonable margins rather than high mark-ups. This reflects our commitment to UK consumers and our approach to fair and responsible trading.

In practical terms, a fair price for natural stone cladding (which is a different and generally higher-value material compared to lightweight, thinner split face tiles, typically priced around £28 to £33 per m²) typically falls between £49 and £66 per m². This includes overseas production costs, sea freight to the UK, local handling charges, 20% VAT, and free delivery to most UK postcodes. When the supply chain is efficient and more direct, this price range represents a fair and reasonable market level.

Quality is controlled through established production systems and consistent standards. Our ongoing sales volume requires reliable performance, ensuring that products remain stable, durable and suitable for long-term use.

It is standard practice to order an additional 15%-10% on top of the calculated wall area to allow for cuts, wastage and fitting adjustments. This helps ensure that enough material is available to complete the installation without unnecessary delays. For projects with multiple corners, irregular shapes or more detailed features, a slightly higher allowance may be sensible to achieve a consistent finish.

Yes. Stone cladding panels can be cut using a diamond blade saw or an angle grinder suitable for natural stone materials. Cutting is commonly required when fitting around corners, edges, sockets or other architectural details. Careful cutting helps achieve a cleaner finish and allows the cladding to be adapted to different wall layouts and design requirements.

Stone cladding systems often include matching corner pieces, or the panels can be cut and interlocked to create a continuous natural appearance around edges and corners. Proper corner detailing is important for achieving a professional finish, particularly on external walls, window reveals and other feature areas where visual continuity matters.

Yes, all stone cladding products listed on our website are sold with VAT included in the displayed price, ensuring full transparency with no additional tax added at checkout. We also offer free UK delivery to most mainland areas, covering approximately 95% of locations. In some remote regions, a small surcharge may apply depending on postcode and access conditions. For full details, please refer to our delivery and pricing information pages.