Glossary
Honed, Flamed or Bush Hammered: Which Stone Finish Fits You?
A short glossary of honed, flamed, sawn cut, bush hammered, rough face and carved finishes.
Buying guide
Stone Wall Cladding Mistakes to Avoid Before You Order
Five checks on the wall, finish, thickness, colour and samples that help you avoid a costly mistake.
Quick answer
For stone wall cladding, decide first whether the wall is interior or exterior, then compare stone type, finish, thickness and colour range. Always approve a sample before a large order.
Start With the Wall, Not the Stone
Before comparing stones, write down what the wall needs to do. Is it indoors or outdoors? Is it a single feature wall or a full facade? How much sun and rain will it see?
These answers narrow the choice faster than colour does. Your installer or designer should also confirm the fixing method for the wall, because it affects the thickness and size you can use.
Stone Wall Cladding Options From Our Range
Four of our stones are listed for wall cladding. They differ in colour, finish and thickness:
| Stone | Type | Colour | Finishes | Standard sizes | Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palimanan Stone | Sandstone / Limestone | White (Super White), Yellow (Golden) | Honed, Sawn Cut, Rough Face | 15x30, 20x40, 30x60 cm | 1.5 - 2 cm |
| Paras Stone | Soft Limestone | Cream / Bone White | Carved, Sawn Cut, Rough Face | 10x20, 20x20, 20x40, 30x60 cm | 2, 3, 5 cm |
| Black Lava Stone | Basalt (Lava Stone) | Dark Grey, Black | Honed, Sawn Cut, Bush Hammered | 20x20, 30x30, 30x60, 40x60 cm | 2, 3, 4, 5 cm |
| Andesite Stone | Andesite (Volcanic) | Grey / Dark Grey (Spotted) | Flamed, Bush Hammered, Honed | 30x30, 30x60, 40x60, 60x60 cm | 3, 4, 5 cm (pavers) |
Palimanan is a light sandstone used for facades and feature walls. Paras is a soft cream limestone. Black lava stone and andesite give darker, more modern walls.
Planning a Wall With Stone Tiles
A wall with stone tiles looks best when the layout is planned before the stone is ordered. Decide the tile size and the joint width first, then count how many pieces each wall needs.
Smaller formats such as 15x30 or 20x40 cm suit feature walls and narrow spaces, while 30x60 cm tiles cover large walls with fewer joints. Mix pieces from several boxes as you fix them, so natural colour variation spreads evenly across the wall.
Pick a Finish for the Look You Want
The finish changes how the same stone looks and feels. Honed stone is smooth and matte. Sawn cut shows the surface left by the saw. Rough face and bush hammered finishes add texture and shadow to a wall.
Read our guide to natural stone finishes for a short definition of each one.
A Limestone Exterior House Wall
If you are planning a limestone exterior house wall, think about exposure first. Palimanan is listed by us for wall cladding and facades. Paras is a soft limestone that we list as suited to interior and semi-outdoor use.
General advice: Tell your supplier whether the wall faces direct sun and rain, and ask which stone and finish they suggest for that exposure before you order.
Check Thickness and Size
Thickness is listed per stone, for example 1.5 to 2 cm for Palimanan stone and 2 to 5 cm for black lava stone. Standard sizes are also listed, and custom sizes are available on request.
General advice: Ask your installer which thickness, size and fixing system suit your wall before you place an order.
Expect Natural Variation
Natural stone varies from piece to piece and from batch to batch. A spotted grey andesite or a golden sandstone will never look identical across a whole wall.
Look at several pieces, not one tile. For larger orders you can ask us for photos before loading.
Order a Sample First
A sample shows the real colour, texture and weight in your own light. Samples can be arranged before a large order. Tell us the stone and finish you need, and sample terms are confirmed with your quotation.
Questions to Ask Your Supplier
- Which finishes and thicknesses are available for this stone?
- Can you supply custom sizes?
- How is the stone packed for sea transport?
- Which shipping term do you quote, and which documents are included?
- Can I see photos before loading?
Our standard answers are on the export page, and you can send us your project details for a quotation.
Frequently asked questions
Which natural stone is suitable for interior wall cladding?
It depends on the look you want. Palimanan and Paras are light-coloured stones used for walls, while black lava stone and andesite give a darker look. Compare samples before you decide.
Can stone wall cladding be used outdoors?
Many stones are used on exterior walls, but exposure matters. Tell us whether the wall is indoors or outdoors and what the weather is like, and we confirm which stone and finish we suggest.
How thick is stone cladding?
Thickness depends on the stone. For example, Palimanan stone is listed at 1.5 to 2 cm and black lava stone at 2 to 5 cm. Confirm the thickness with your installer.
Can I get custom sizes?
Yes, custom sizes are available on request. Ask for a sample before a large order.