Exterior

Exterior Stone Applications

StoneLite® panels have over four decades of proven performance on the exterior of buildings throughout the world. After many years of exposure to many different environments and being subjected to extreme heat, bitter cold, earthquakes and hurricanes, the panels not only retain their natural beauty but remain durable and continue to perform.

The StoneLite® exterior stone paneling system and its installation components have been thoroughly tested by leading independent testing laboratories. They have proven performance in bond strength and flexural strength following acid freeze/thaw and UV radiation exposure. They are accepted by I.C.C. (formerly ICBO) and other code bodies for unrestricted use as exterior cladding for Type I buildings.

They offer the advantage of construction speed and cost effectiveness. The lightweight panels are easy to handle, so an entire building can be laid out in advance and arranged for blending the color and the natural stone grain prior to fabrication and installation.

Below are just a few exterior applications and projects that highlight the many different applications of StoneLite® natural stone panels.

COMMERCIAL

StoneLite® has been installed on hundreds of commercial projects from 58 stories  to one (1) story structures throughout the world and in climates that experience freeze thaw, extreme heat, seismic, tornadoes, hurricanes and everything in between.

Ten Thousand North Central Expressway – Dallas, TX

This was our first multi-story project completed in 1984 with over 70,000 sq. ft. of StoneLite® Mahogany granite. This was a pre-panelized project with steel stud frame back up.  In 2001, the building was hit by 120 mph shear winds and over 25% of the building’s windows were blown out.  The building was hit by flying debris however the StoneLite® panels sustained ZERO damage. The StoneLite® panels have been in place for 30 years and have withstood not only the test of time but durability, missile impact debris, tornadic winds and extreme climate variations.  They are as beautiful today as the day they were installed.

International Business Center – Moscow, Russia

There are two components that make this project unique.  First, at the time of completion it was the tallest building in Russia standing at 35 stories.  Second, more than 11, 000 sq. meters of StoneLite® panels were installed from a simple swing stage. With only one week of on-site training, the local Russian carpenters were able to rapidly install this 35 story building using simple hand tools and a suspended platform.

The panels were brought up through the interior of the project and handed out through the building’s exterior openings to the installation team on the swing stage.  This type of installation eliminated the cost of a heavy lifting equipment.

The ease of installation enables installers from all parts of the world to quickly adapt to our system and produce quality projects.

JL Tower and ASRC Building – Anchorage, AK

After the 1964 earthquake, most buildings in Anchorage and in Alaska were built on a smaller scale. In 2002, the 10 story ASRC building was constructed using 37,000 sq. ft of StoneLite® Gialla Santa Cecilia granite panels and in 2010 RIM architects designed the iconic 14 story JL Tower and used over 54,000 sq. ft. of StoneLite® Mocha Creme limestone panels. StoneLite®’s performance on the structural and impact load testing including racking shear and seismic were instrumental in the decision to use lightweight natural stone panels for the exterior on both of these landmark buildings.

Digital Media Centre – Barnsley, England

A three building, multi-story project clad in StoneLite® exterior Stoke Hall limestone panels.  This project is representative of many of our European projects as it is is an open joint/rain screen.  The joints are not sealed which creates shadows around the panels thus creating the dimensional grid design image that envisioned by the architects and designers.

Bell Canada – Montreal, Quebec

StoneLite® replaced 6 inch thick dimensional Indiana limestone that failed because of extreme temperature variations. This multi-story area houses six (6) 5,000 kw diesel generators that supply emergency power.

The heat generated and freezing winters caused temperature swings resulting in failed dimensional stone.  StoneLite® replaced the failed dimensional stone based on their outstanding testing results on the acid freeze thaw accelerated aging test performed by Wiss, Janney, Elstner.

Silverstone Corporate Plaza – Boise, ID

Silverstone Corporate Plaza is the quintessential commercial property clad in 54,000 sq. ft. of  classic StoneLite® Polychrome, Nara, and Black Impala granite.  What differentiates this project is the installation cost.  We have discussed in other sections the ease of installation, the lower cost of installation as our panels can be installed by subcontractors already on the project, and due to StoneLite®’s lightweight properties they can be installed without the need for heavy lifting equipment.  The subcontractor was able to install this project for $9 per sq. ft.


PRE-PANELIZATION

Pre-panelization is the process in which the framing is attached to the panels and they are shipped to the job site in pre-determined numerical system ready to be installed.  The maximum panel length is 30′  but can go as high as 10-12 feet.  Granite panels with steel stud back up framing weighs less than 7 lbs. per sq. ft.

University Square – Princeton, NJ

New construction five story commercial project in which over 65,000 sq. ft. of StoneLite® Rosa Porrino in polished and sandblasted finishes were installed on the exterior. The project was pre-panelized at the StoneLite® manufacturing facility in Coppell, TX and was shipped with back up framing attached.  The entire project was installed in eight weeks.

Ohio Public Employee Retirement Services Building  – Columbus, OH

A 14 story commercial project using StoneLite® Giallo Santa Cecilia granite panels.  This was a pre-panelized project in which the StoneLite® granite panels were anchored to 30′ long truss frames and shipped to the project site in a predetermined sequence.  The panels were installed from dusk to dawn to minimize disruption to employees.

St. Mary’s Regional Hospital – Reno, NV

A new four story construction project in which the exterior was pre-panelized including the column covers.  StoneLite® Relvinha and Indiana Gray limestone along with StoneLite® Nara and Luna Pearl granite was selected to create a stunning exterior.

DESIGN CAPABILITIES

Because StoneLite® panels are constructed with a natural stone facing they can be used to create a multitude of looks by combining stones and finishings.

Logan Heights Library – San Diego, CA

Logan Heights Library has a portion of their library shaped like a cube in which the architect envisioned a checkerboard façade.  The architect’s vision was achieved by alternating StoneLite® Kashmir Gold limestone panels in flamed and polished finishes.

Red Bank Veterinary Hospital – Tinton Falls, NJ

StoneLite® Polychrome granite was installed in a diagonal pattern. The natural shading in the diagonal panels gives the appearance of a tone on tone argyle pattern.  StoneLite® Rosa Taivassallo was featured on accent walls and cornices.

Shawnee Mission Hospital – Shawnee Mission, KS

Shawnee Mission Hospital’s Critical Care expansion project and subsequent Birth Center feature StoneLite® Gascogne Beige limestone panels in a running bond pattern.  The panels also vary in module sizes creating a mosaic appearance.

GOVERNMENT

StoneLite® has been installed on exteriors, interiors, entrances, lobbies, ceilings and combinations of applications for municipal, county, federal, national and international projects.  A key component for our inclusion in government projects is our StoneLite® panel’s outstanding performance in a full scale arena blast test.  Additional government projects are featured under our interior and renovation application sections.

International

Our international project list includes:

  • United States Embassy – Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
  • United States Embassy – Dunshanbe, Tajikistan
  • Supreme Court Building – Seoul, South Korea
  • Terminal Ferry Building Port of Genoa – Genoa, Italy
  • Charles de Gaulle Airport –  Paris, France
  • Rotherham Civic Offices –  Rotherham, England
  • Police Headquarters –  Southampton, England
  • National/Federal

Porter Neuroscience National Institute of Health –  Bethesda, MD

We recently completed a high energy blast wall out of StoneLite® Indiana Limestone panels. It is a 22 psi peak pressure and at a high level blast resistance.

State

Nesbett Federal Courthouse – Anchorage, AK

Many architects such as McCool Carlson Green have conducted extensive research, reviewing test data, and contacting owners of completed projects before specifying StoneLite® panels for the Nesbett Courthouse in Anchorage, Alaska. They selected StoneLite® for its strength and ability to withstand the flexing and movement possible during seismic activity.

After many years of exposure to the Alaskan environment and at least one significant earthquake, the panels remain durable and intact.

Rabinowitz State of Alaska Courthouse – Fairbanks, AK

StoneLite®’s performance under freeze thaw conditions and seismic testing were key factors in the installation of their Sardo Gray panels for state courthouse’s exterior.

County

Adams County Government Center –  Brighton, CO

The design intent for the new Adams County Government Center was to compliment and enhance its natural surroundings and pay homage to its agricultural heritage.  StoneLite® Hillsboro and Northern Buff limestone panels were installed on portions of the exterior and interior and were a natural fit in the overall design scheme.

Somerset County – Somerville, NJ

A pre-panelized reclad project using StoneLite® Regal Gray exterior granite panels with white marble accents transformed an existing outdated structure to a vibrant government center.

MUNICIPAL

Suwanee City Hall – Suwanee, GA

Two different native Georgia stones, StoneLite® Etowah (also known as Georgia Pink) and Cherokee White, were chosen as the exterior cladding.  The movement in these two native stones created a visually stunning exterior.

MUSEUMS

Stone Panels, Inc. has been honored to have our StoneLite® natural stone panel system as part of some of the most revered museums in the United States and Canada.

National Constitution Center – Philadelphia, PA

The opening of the National Constitution Center was the first museum devoted to honoring and explaining the U.S. Constitution.  It was also groundbreaking in its construction by being the first museum to use StoneLite® panels and was later a feature article in Stone World magazine.  The exterior of the building features a façade of Select Buff Indiana StoneLite® limestone panels broken up by 8 inch bands of Chelmsford granite StoneLite® panels.

Originally, the interior was designed to be solid stone but due to high costs the general contractor offered savings by replacing dimensional stone with StoneLite®.   Approximately 20,000 sq. ft. of the same exterior stones were installed on the interior walls over steel stud framing.  The average size panel was 5′ x 3’4″ but the pieces weighed only 60 lbs., resulting in a fast and easy installation process.  Some of the panels were fabricated to various angled corner shapes, other pieces to a convex curve or a concave curved shape at a fraction of the cost that would have been incurred for solid stone.

Another 9,000 sq. ft. of StoneLite® was installed on the upper exterior walls over the atrium.

USS Arizona Memorial Visitors Center Complex – Pearl Harbor, HI

This national memorial complex underwent a renovation that was completed in 2010 and was re-dedicated on the 69th anniversary of the tragedy at Pearl Harbor.  The renovation  included the installation of over 10,000 sq. ft. of StoneLite® Walnut travertine panels at the first row on each of the five buildings with the remaining rows clad in StoneLite® Mocha Crème limestone.

Royal British Columbia Museum – Victoria, British Columbia

StoneLite® Cherokee White marble was used in a unique design element by installing it in the in upper and lower belts of the building along with multiple vertical columns to create a grid frame around the cut stone infill  on the exterior elevation.

911 Museum – New York, NY

Stone Panels, Inc. installed the attachment system for the aluminum covered foam panels for the museum’s interior.

HEALTHCARE

Our foray into the Healthcare segment has been explosive since architects and designers have discovered StoneLite® panels and their invaluable contribution to both design and construction of healthcare facilities.

Shawnee Mission Hospital – Shawnee Mission, KS

The Shawnee Mission Hospital system has been profiled in several sections on our website including feature projects and above in exterior design.  StoneLite® was first installed on their Critical Care Expansion and they were so pleased with the product it was specified and installed on their newly constructed $42 million Birth Center.

Niswonger Children’s Hospital – Johnson City, TN

Niswonger is a 69 bed Children’s hospital and is home to one of only six St. Jude’s Affiliate Clinics.  The purpose of the hospital is to provide a warm and caring environment centered on children and their families. The StoneLite® Indiana Standard Buff limestone-clad exterior of the building was selected  by the architect as they exuded an honorable, refined quality symbolic of the services performed within the hospital’s walls that was in line with the other natural design elements.

North Collier Hospital – Naples, FL

The new tower features curved walls with an exterior cladding of StoneLite® Sunset Red granite on an aluminum substrate.

Jenna Welch Women’s Center – Midland, TX

StoneLite® Gray Adoquin Classic exterior panels and StoneLite® Orange Adoquin Classic panels to create the exterior accent band were used as part of the renovation and expansion plan.

Axelrod Pavilion – Clearwater, FL

Axelrod Pavilion is part of the Morton Plant Hospital and is a cancer diagnostic and care center.  Its exterior façade and interior walls provide a warm and comforting patient environment as the architect selected StoneLite® Gascogne Beige and St. Hubert SLG limestone panels.  In addition to their natural beauty, flexural strength and light weight properties, StoneLite® panels are the only lightweight panels to have the Miami Dade NOA certification.

HOSPITALITY

Talking Stick Casino and Resort – Scottsdale, AZ

This 15 story resort and casino design was influenced by its surrounding natural elements. The inclusion of over 85,000 sq. ft. of StoneLite® Rainbow sandstone embraced all the colors of the surrounding desert. The sandstone’s unique color striations created both interior and exterior spaces that were simply elegant.

Silver Star Casino – Philadelphia, MS

This hospitality project was a 6 story and 12 story structure completed in 1996 using StoneLite® Chantilly and Rocheret limestone panels.  The exterior wall panels were handset and the cornices and columns were pre-panelized.

Alton Lewis, Project Architect for Wynn Associates at the time of construction said, “StoneLite® panels allow complete flexibility for the designer.  We were able to design large expanses of exterior limestone walls, plus massive column covers and cornices, ornate marble column base and capitals.  The panels were quickly and efficiently installed at a very affordable price.”

Mcdonald St. Paul Hotel – Sheffield, England

Lightweight StoneLite® panels faced with Stanton Moor sandstone fixed on a lightweight steel frame was the solution used to satisfy the architect’s desire for a local English stone.  The solution to use StoneLite® was introduced at an early stage which meant the concrete frame was lighter than needed to support solid stone representing a considerable savings in time and money.

The StoneLite® panels only weigh about 4 lbs. with attachments meant they could be lifted safely by one person so there was no need for a tower crane to lift the stone up on to the scaffold, nor runner beams and loading bays on the scaffolding.  There was an overall saving on the project of £1.1 million resulting from the specification of the lightweight frame and cladding.

Pacific Palms Resort – La Puente, CA

StoneLite® Juperana Columbo granite panels were installed as exterior stacked column covers to create an design image reflective of the palm tree trunk.  The interior lobby features StoneLite® Mocha Crème panels in to create an elegant space and display art installations.

Embassy Suites –  Downtown Houston, TX

This project was designed using an alternating pattern of StoneLite® Walnut and Roman Classic travertine panels with a vertical grain and a filled and honed finish.  SPI also provided the installation services.

TRANSPORTATION

McCarran Airport Terminal 3 – Las Vegas, NV

Over 100, 000 sq. ft. of StoneLite® Gascogne Beige limestone was installed in an exterior open joint/rain screen application and interior sealed joint application.

Love Field Terminal Expansion – Dallas, TX

SPI not only manufactured their StoneLite® Leuders limestone panels but installed them. The wall design is a repeating pattern of  three (3) 48″ x 12″  on top of one (1) 48″ x 6″ stacked bond panels.  Panels with corners have factory bonded finished returns.  The large feature wall surrounding the ticketing area includes recessed niches for large scale art installations.

Orlando International Airport – Orlando, FL

This interior project is also profiled in our interior applications section.  The terminal used StoneLite® Madura Gold granite for their elevator lobby and multi-story feature walls.  The warm gold tones create a warm welcoming environment.

Kalamazoo Transit Center – Kalamazoo, MI

Kalamazoo Metro Transit expanded and renovated their administration office using StoneLite® Coffee Sandstone and Dakota Mahogany Granite panels. Almost 3,600 sq. ft. of reinforced natural stone was installed on the building’s exterior.  This project was installed in winter weather conditions. StoneLite® can be installed in all weather conditions which just another benefit of using this superior cladding product.

ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES

Elegant stone finishes can be incorporated into extraordinary architectural details. Lightweight stone shapes and cornices are economically fabricated.  Dimensional stone can be cut to produce most shapes but it is profoundly expensive to produce and install compared to lightweight reinforced stone panels which can be manufactured and installed at a fraction of the cost of traditional stone.

Curved Stone

Stone Panels, Inc. has been manufacturing StoneLite® panels with a fixed curve for over 25 years. The oldest exterior curved panels in the U.S. are on Kimbrough Hall, Washington State University in Pullman, WA, completed in 1988. The building is clad with Chantilly (French) limestone with an 18-ft. radius. SPI would prefer to limit the amount of radius on exteriors to 20-ft. for limestone and 40-ft. or more for granite and marble, especially if the stone is on the exterior side of the curve.

Stone Panels, Inc. supplied a significant amount of curved marble for the interior of the Thomas F. Eagleton Federal Courthouse in St. Louis in 2000. Traveling exhibits for Infinity and Rolex also incorporated curved limestone and marble.

Balconies and Cantilevered Structures

StoneLite®’s lightweight properties make it possible for architects and designers to easily accommodate cantilever structures that might be difficult or impossible to design with heavy or dimension stone.

Cornices

StoneLite® panels lightweight properties reduces stress on the structure and can be installed typically by a two man team from a swing stage.

South Plaquimine Parish High School – Port Sulphur, LA

The original high school building was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. When designing the new building they really wanted traditional dimensional stone but the design of the cornices put too much stress on the structure. StoneLite® was able to fabricate the exact cornice design at a fraction of the weight.

In 2012 while the building was under construction and a portion of the StoneLite® Indiana Standard Buff limestone panels were installed Hurricane Isaac hit the school. There was ZERO damage to the installed StoneLite® fabricated cornices. More than 36,000 sq. ft. of reinforced natural stone panels were installed.

The StoneLite® system easily passed the hurricane wind and large missile impact requirements of Miami-Dade Florida building authority.

Stone Panels, Inc. is the only lightweight reinforced stone supplier having South Florida building authority acceptance.

Ann Taylor – New York, NY

The StoneLite® cornice for the Ann Taylor flagship store in Manhattan was factory assembled on galvanized steel stud framing in lengths of 5’ each.  Two carpenters installed 200 linear ft. of cornice (40) pieces in two 7-1/2 hour days from a scaffold.  The alternative was dimensional stone which would have required heavy equipment and multiple weeks to install.   This project has over 10,000 sq. ft. of flame finished Rocheret and Lacome Pointille.

Inlays

Wachovia Tower – Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Wachovia Tower is a classic representation of how inlay accents can enhance a building’s exterior.  StoneLite® Rainbow sandstone is used for multiple lintels, column covers and the entrances accented with bands and diamond shape insets of Atlantic Green slate.