Galaxy Glitter Ledgestone Thin Stone Veneer.

Commercial Renovations Using Thin Stone Veneer

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With the low maintenance, added value, and lifetime they provide in exterior and interior design, stone veneer options have become a welcome trend in modern commercial projects. Thin stone veneer can be especially beneficial for developers, designers, and business owners looking to add a memorable and valuable update to the aesthetic of a property.

4 Benefits of Using Thin Stone Veneer in Your Next Commercial Project

First, let’s look at some of the major perks that come with using thin stone veneer for corporate renovations.

1. Convenient Size Means Cost-Efficient

Weight and dimensions are among the most vital aspects when choosing material for your corporate renovation. This is particularly due to the connection between material weight and the subsequent cost. Heavier, bulkier material is often more expensive to ship, potentially giving your budget a significant hit.

That being said, the thickness of thin stone veneer is often between ¾ inches and 1 ½ inches, making for a lighter weight product and more coverage per shipment than standard building stone, which can be 3-5 inches in thickness. Therefore, thin veneer weighs much less than full veneer stone—75 percent less, in fact. So, the lighter weight and reduced thickness of thin stone veneer make for a much more affordable shipment and installation, especially when purchasing in bulk.

2. Dynamic Use—Inside and Outside

Renovators may find thin stone veneer’s potential uses especially convenient for design and application purposes. Thin stone veneer can be adhered to various surfaces and be installed without ledges or footings, making for dynamic opportunities in outdoor and indoor projects. With the right surface preparation, this veneer can be installed over drywall, paneling, plywood, metal, and concrete. You can use thin stone veneer for a lobby fireplace or to dress your property’s outdoor pillars.

3. Adaptable and Easy to Install

Whatever your commercial project, there is a good chance you can find a use for thin stone veneer. Not all nonstructural building materials are as easy to maneuver, shape, and manipulate as needed for a renovation. Upon installation, you are not limited to the shape and scale of the material when it comes to thin stone veneer. Kafka Granite cut options include the following and more:

  • Dimensional Cut
  • Castle Cut
  • Sawn Dimensional
  • Dimensional Drystack
  • Mosaic Cut
  • Ashlar Cut
  • Ledgestone

Naturally Durable

Contrary to manufactured stone veneer, natural stone veneer is less porous and better able to hold up against years of weather and wear. Our natural thin stone veneer is absent of concrete composites; its elements are not the result of synthetic mixtures or artificial coloration.

What’s more, because it is derived entirely from quarried rock, natural thin stone veneer is a high-quality material that maintains its color and texture for a long, long time. Is your commercial property in need of a pool? Chemicals like chlorine are much less likely to have a negative effect on natural stone.

What Are My Color Options?

Perhaps you want to have a sleek, modern appeal in your reception area. Or, maybe you are looking to give the exterior a more rustic feel. There is no mistaking the authenticity of natural stone, especially when pitted against manufactured veneers. Due to years and years of the geological process, stone veneer comes in a wide spectrum of natural colors, convenient for meeting the branding and tonal preferences of a commercial location. For example, Kafka Granite color options include:

  • Misty Gray Marble
  • Gun Metal Marble
  • Imperial Gray Granite
  • Sierra Granite
  • Starlight Black Granite
  • Harvest Gold Sandstone
  • Chateau Granite
  • Galaxy Glitter
  • Ebony Glitter
  • Sedona Glitter
  • Wisconsin Fieldstone

Sourcing our natural stone from quarries across the United States and Canada provides us the opportunity to offer varying shades and tones of thin stone veneer.

Applications of Thin Stone Veneer

The versatility of thin stone veneer provides opportunities for interior and exterior use. To list just a few examples of stone veneer applications:

  • Exterior building siding
  • Fireplaces
  • Chimney surfaces
  • Office walls
  • Lobbies
  • Façades
  • Columns and pillars
  • Retaining walls
  • Signage
  • Staircases
  • Interior accent walls
  • Kitchen backsplashes
  • Water features

The list could go on, as the sky is the limit for this adaptable, natural stone product.

A Timeless Natural Stone Product for Corporate Renovations

In addition to the benefits mentioned above, the beauty of going with natural stone in your design is that you are choosing a timeless material. Humans have benefited from the versatility and build options of stone veneer for millennia and will continue to find dynamic uses for it in the future. Ultimately, how you benefit from your renovation material will depend on your design and intended use.

At Kafka Granite, our Wisconsin-based company proudly provides a wide range of specialty natural stone products across North America. Connect with our office today to learn more about our offerings and the benefits of thin stone veneer.

Starlight Black Granite Thermal-Top Steps, Sawn Cut Drywall, Sawn Edging, and Caps

Introducing Kafka Granite’s Natural Stone Hardscapes

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We launched our specialty building stone product line in 2018. Since then, we’ve been working on the next addition to our offerings—and here it is! Kafka Granite is pleased to announce our line of natural stone hardscapes. This endeavor was the logical next step in our mission to supply our customers with the natural stone solutions they need to complete stunning projects.

At Kafka Granite, we strive to provide high-quality natural stone products that both anticipate and exceed the needs of our customers. We already offered an extensive selection of landscape supply products, including landscape stone, granite boulders and cobbles, and decorative rip rap. The question became this: what’s next? 

Customer listening played a significant role in our decision to introduce Kafka Natural Stone Hardscapes. We saw a need for not only a high-end, contemporary spin on natural stone hardscapes, but also a highly-efficient product line that would cut down on installation costs. In addition, we picked up on the demand for non-slip hardscape surfaces that could provide a safer walking path in both residential and commercial installations.

Natural Stone Hardscapes from Kafka Granite

Here’s a brief look at our latest product line. Should you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re always happy to talk through natural stone needs.

Sawn Cut Drywall

Our Natural Stone Sawn Cut Drywall is perfect for incorporating dry stacked walls into your landscaping project. From raised flower beds to retaining walls, these natural hardscapes will lend an air of elegance and sophistication to any project.

To reduce costs and simplify installation, we ensure that each solid stone block is sawn on both the top and the bottom. This produces an extremely clean look and makes a project progress that much more efficiently. At the same time, split faces and ends allow this product to retain a natural, rugged beauty.

Thermal-Top Steps

Whether you’re building on a steep hill or a gently rolling slope, a striking set of steps is just what you need to finish off a landscaping project. Our Natural Stone Thermal-Top Steps are solid, durable slabs that will provide a non-skid hardscape surface for years to come.

Each unit is sawn to height for an efficient installation process. Rock-faced on one long side and two short sides, these steps show off the versatility and variation of natural stone. 

Thermal Flagstone

Set those manufactured hardscape surfaces aside in favor of a premium, natural stone hardscape. Because who said that patios couldn’t be beautiful, functional, and long-lasting?

Kafka Granite’s Thermal Flagstone, available as either irregular-edged flagstone or as a repeating pattern of sawn flagstone, will allow you to add visual interest to any landscaping project—whether you’re creating a welcoming patio to gather with family and friends or building a meandering pathway that will allow visitors to take in the scenery. A sawn height ensures consistency, decreases sorting and installation time, and essentially eliminates shimming and re-leveling. Finally, a thermal-top finish both provides added traction and further spotlights the beauty of each natural stone unit.

Sawn Edging

Kafka’s Sawn Edging adds a thoughtful and impressive detail to any landscape project. Sawn to consistent 4″ heights, the product marries a convenient installation with the sophistication of natural stone. This distinctive border stone can create a beautiful and functional barrier for Kafka’s Pathway Mix or Landscape Stone.

Treads, Caps & Coping

Round out your landscape project with the addition of Kafka’s Treads, Caps & Coping. Each natural stone color takes on a new life with the various finishing options available. Add texture and traction with a Thermal or Bush Hammer finish, or opt for a Sawn or Honed finish to create clean lines and a contemporary flair.

Natural Stone Hardscapes for Your Commercial and Residential Landscape Projects

Our natural stone hardscapes are ideal for any outdoor project, from commercial installations to residential features. See our product page for exact specifications of each stone hardscape product.

All Kafka Granite Natural Stone Hardscapes are available in four classic Kafka colors: Sierra Granite, Starlight Black Granite, Harvest Gold Sandstone, and Imperial Gray Granite. This range of hues ensures that you’ll find an option to complement any color palette or landscaping project.

Sourcing Natural Stone Hardscapes? Let’s Talk!

Kafka Granite is proud to add yet another high-quality line of natural stone products to our offerings. Whether you’re an architect, contractor, or homeowner, we’re dedicated to helping you source the perfect flagstone, thermal-top steps, and sawn cut drywall for your needs. Looking for a specific color of natural stone, want to learn more about our products, or find yourself in need of samples? Contact us today, and let’s get started.

Boulders and Cobbles

“Why Are Boulders Round?” and Other Geology Questions

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As one of the largest manufacturers and suppliers of specialty aggregates in the United States, Kafka Granite knows natural stone inside and out. We have Wisconsin’s unique geology to thank for the bountiful quarries that gave us our start. But we realize that, while many people know quite a bit about the various applications of crushed stone, thin stone veneer, landscaping stone, and more, they aren’t necessarily familiar with the science behind these products.

Today, we’re digging deep into some of the most interesting aspects of our planet by answering some commonly asked questions about geology. Read on for a peek into the forces that have shaped the natural stone and specialty aggregates industry.

How Is Natural Stone Formed?

Natural stone was formed when the mineral gases that originally made up the planet solidified and compacted over millions of years. Intense heat and high pressures resulted in stone that can be classified into three separate categories: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. Within those categories are dozens of types of natural stone that can be used for everything from pathway mixes to retaining walls. Granite, marble, quartz, and limestone are just a few common examples of the many kinds of natural stone found around the world.

What Is the Difference Between Pebbles, Cobbles, and Boulders?

You’d certainly be able to tell a pebble from a boulder if the two were placed side by side. But where do cobbles come in? And why is it so important to classify these different rocks?

The primary difference between pebbles, cobbles, boulders, and other rocks is size. These specifications matter quite a bit when it comes to landscaping applications. For example, stone mulch, pebbles, chips, and gravel can be used to create wide-spreading ground cover, while cobbles and boulders are suitable for accent pieces, retaining walls, water features, and other similar installations.

As you can imagine, sediment size plays a crucial role in the quality control of natural stone products. Our Wisconsin Granite Landscape Boulders are screened to remove sand and smaller particles, so that we only transport rocks over 3 inches. After the screening process is completed, rocks ranging from 3 inches to 18 inches in diameter are sorted by size and washed using a large machine that moves them into specific categories. The size ranges go as follows: 3-6”, 4-8”, 8-12”, and 12-18”. Bigger rocks in the ranges of 18-24”, 24-36”, 36-48”, and larger are sorted with an excavator.

Why Are Boulders Round?

So why are boulders, cobbles, and pebbles round? One major cause of round boulders is glacial movement. As massive glaciers slowly made their way across the continent during an ice age, they transported and weathered boulders and other rocks with them. Once these ice sheets melted, the rocks were left behind. 

Here in Wisconsin, most of our natural stone resources were glacially deposited. These rocks go back to the last Ice Age, when the shrinking Laurentide Ice Sheet covered and then receded from large areas of Wisconsin. This large-scale event left the state dappled with lakes, rivers, and an abundance of natural stone. Kafka Granite’s boulders, cobbles, and most of our pebbles are all glacially deposited.

Other rocks have been rounded by running water that smoothed their sharp edges over time—hence the name, “river rocks.” As water flows over sediment, rocks rub against each other and the river bed. Eventually, all of this abrasion both smooths any rough edges and begins to wear down individual stones.

What Causes Color Variations in Natural Stone?

Geology has gifted us with a rainbow of hues to choose from when it comes to natural stone. But what really causes those different colors? The answer to this question is so interesting that we’ve actually tackled it fully in its own blog post. But, in short, color variations in natural stone are caused by the minerals and other organic deposits that were present as the stone formed. 

You may have heard the term “rainbow rocks” used to refer to Wisconsin’s glacially-deposited boulders. One look at our multicolored granite boulders will tell you that this is an apt description. No two boulders are the same, thanks to varying amounts and arrangements of minerals and other deposits like feldspar and iron oxide. The presence of these various materials produces a veritable rainbow of hues, from red to gold and even green or purple. The result is unique colors, patterns, and textures that just can’t be replicated with manmade materials.

While additive dyes exist, Kafka Granite doesn’t use them in any of our natural stone products—they don’t need any extra help! The beauty of these cobbles and boulders truly speaks for itself.

Natural Stone Products for Your Next Project

Kafka Granite is pleased to offer a wide variety of natural stone products for use in landscape design. Whether you’re specifying crushed rock, round pebbles, or large boulders for a project, we can deliver. Not quite sure what you need yet, or having trouble finding the right color of stone for your retaining wall, water feature, or other project? Just give us a call—our knowledgeable sales team is happy to work with you and find the right solution for your next installation.