Exterior wall cladding is the outer layer of a building's exterior walls: the finish people see, and the layer that helps protect the structure from sun, rain and freeze-thaw. Mouldex Composites offers four exterior cladding systems, each lighter and simpler to install than the full-depth material it recreates.
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Stone veneer is manufactured stone, cast in moulds taken from real stone and hand-coloured. Natural stone panels are quarried natural stone set in interlocking Z-shaped panels. Thin clay brick is clay brick veneer about 5/8 in thick. StoCast Wood is a thin, flexible, resin-cast plank with an authentic wood grain.
They add character and visual interest to a facade, an entryway or a feature wall, inside or out, on any project: custom homes and other residential work, multi-family buildings, storefronts, restaurants and hotels, where weight, schedule and a consistent finish matter. The thin stone and brick systems need no support ledge, and every system goes over a properly prepared, sound wall.
OUR WALL CLADDING SYSTEMS
Four ways to clad an exterior wall
Each cladding material brings its own texture, range of colours and installation method.
Stone Veneer
Manufactured stone in 7 styles, from rustic Fieldstone and Cobblestone to clean-lined Ridgestone, each in several colours.
- 10 to 12 lb per sq ft, 1 to 3 in thick
- Cast from real stone, hand-coloured
- Interior and exterior; freeze-thaw resistant
- 50-year limited warranty from StoneRox
Natural Stone Panels
Quarried natural stone set in interlocking Z-shaped panels, in 10 styles.
- 6 x 24 in panels, 5/8 to 1 1/2 in thick
- Interlocking, no mortar joints; matching corners
- Interior and exterior; fire resistant
Thin Clay Brick
Clay brick veneer in 17 styles, from rustic reds to modern long-format brick.
- About 5/8 in thick (modern styles about 1/2 in)
- Standard, modular and modern sizes, with matching corners
- Interior and exterior; fire resistant
StoCast Wood
Thin, flexible resin-cast planks with an authentic wood grain, offered in 5 colours.
- 6 ft x 6 in planks; bend to a 6 in radius for curved walls
- Set in adhesive: no nail holes
- Facades, soffits, interior walls and ceilings
- Won't rot or warp like natural wood
SIDE BY SIDE
Compare our exterior cladding materials
| Attribute | Stone Veneer | Natural Stone Panels | Thin Clay Brick | StoCast Wood |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Manufactured stone: concrete, lightweight aggregates, iron oxide pigments | Quarried natural stone | Clay brick veneer | Resin-cast plank: acrylic polymers and mineral fillers |
| Styles | 7 styles, several colours each | 10 styles | 17 styles | Wood grain, 5 colours |
| Weight | 10 to 12 lb per sq ft | Lightweight | Lightweight | Lighter than wood or fiber cement cladding |
| Thickness | 1 to 3 in | 5/8 to 1 1/2 in | About 5/8 in (modern about 1/2 in) | Thin, flexible plank |
| Installation | Mortar over a sound, prepared wall; no support ledge | Interlocking Z panels, no mortar joints | Installed like stone veneer over a sound, prepared wall | Adhesive, no nail holes; bends to a 6 in radius |
| Where | Interior and exterior | Interior and exterior | Interior and exterior | Facades, soffits, interior walls and ceilings |
| Upkeep | Low maintenance; optional sealing every 1 to 2 years | Low maintenance | Low maintenance | Top coated on site; won't rot or warp |
| Warranty | 50-year limited warranty from StoneRox | 50-year limited warranty from StoneRox | 50-year limited warranty from StoneRox | Sto limited warranty; ask for terms |
Ask for samples to compare the finishes in person.
CHOOSING A SYSTEM
How to choose exterior wall cladding
Start with the look you want, then check the wall it's going on.
- 01
The look
Rustic or refined stone, classic brick, or warm wood grain, for a traditional or contemporary appearance. A Fieldstone entrance suits a cottage-style home; thin brick gives a storefront a heritage feel; StoCast Wood brings warmth to a restaurant or hotel facade.
- 02
The wall and the weight
All four are thin systems, far lighter than the full-depth materials they recreate. Each goes over a sound, prepared wall. Exterior stone and brick usually go over plywood, and also over masonry, concrete or stucco. StoCast goes over concrete, block, stucco or interior drywall. That makes them a good fit for renovations as well as new homes and commercial buildings.
- 03
Climate
For lasting durability, StoneRox stone and brick are made for freeze-thaw climates when installed to the manufacturer's guidelines. StoCast showed no damage after 60 freeze/thaw cycles in testing.
- 04
Corners and curves
Stone and brick come with matching corner pieces for clean outside corners. StoCast planks bend to a 6 in radius, so curved walls and columns can carry the same wood look.
- 05
Installation
None of the thin stone or brick systems needs a support ledge, and StoCast is set in adhesive, with no nail holes. All are best installed by an experienced contractor.
- 06
Upkeep
All four are low maintenance. Optional sealing every 1 to 2 years keeps the day-one look; StoCast is top coated on site with a Sto stain.
COMPLETE THE FACADE
Built to pair with our mouldings
Cladding covers the wall; mouldings frame it. Pair stone veneer or thin brick with window trim, sills, band moulding and cornices for a finished facade, from a single entrance to a full multi-family elevation. Our exterior mouldings are lightweight, won't rot or warp, and are cut to fit on site, so they sit naturally alongside any of these cladding systems.
Want the background? Read about StoneRox stone veneer and StoCast Wood.
QUESTIONS
Exterior wall cladding FAQ
What is exterior wall cladding?
The outer layer of a building's walls. It sets the look of the building's exterior and helps protect the walls behind it from sun, rain and freeze-thaw. Our cladding systems are thin stone, brick and wood-look finishes applied over a sound, prepared wall.
What's the difference between cladding and siding?
Siding usually means lapped boards, such as vinyl, wood or fiber cement, on houses. Cladding is the broader term for any exterior wall finish, including stone, brick and panel systems. StoCast Wood has the look of wood siding but is set in adhesive, not installed as lap siding.
Which exterior cladding material is best?
It depends on the look, the wall and the climate. Stone veneer offers the widest choice of stone textures, natural stone panels give real stone with no mortar joints, thin clay brick is the lightest masonry option, and StoCast Wood gives a wood look that won't rot or warp. A free sample kit is the easiest way to compare them.
What goes behind stone veneer?
For exterior walls, StoneRox stone veneer is typically installed over plywood. It can also go over sound masonry, concrete or stucco. On interior drywall, a metal lath and a scratch coat of mortar go on first. Always follow StoneRox's installation guide and local building code.
Can cladding go over an existing wall?
Yes, if the wall is structurally sound, clean and properly prepared; damaged areas are repaired first. StoneRox stone and brick go over sound masonry, concrete or stucco, and StoCast over concrete, block or stucco. The thin stone and brick systems need no support ledge, which makes them well suited to renovations.
Ready to plan your walls? Browse stone veneer, order a free sample kit (with a StoCast sample and the StoneRox brochure) or send us your project.
Ready? We are.
Request a quote. Order a free sample kit. Or call/live chat with us about your project.
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