Natural Stone Fixing Systems

Natural stone is a construction material that offers many advantages when used as a wall cladding of external facades. It has high durability features, requires low maintenance and significantly improves the heat & sound insulation of the building. Most of all, the unique look of the natural stone facing conveys and creates an aesthetic appearance of the building which adds value to it and make the building one of a kind.

In the past when the natural stone was used as load-bearing material walls where massive stone blocks were stacked within the structures’ wall. With the newest technology enabling to manufacture of thin stone panels, Natural stone is used as a cladding material for the face covering of the building. The structural role of the stone cladding is now flexural as a facing instead of compressive as blocks, contrary to its natural strength and origin.

In order to achieve a proper stone cladding project that preserves the features of the natural stone cladding proper design must be made and the use of correct fixing systems must be made.

With today’s cladding technique the stone cladding is made of thin panels in 20 to 50 mm thick that is attached to the load-bearing structure with means of fixings systems that are made from Stainless steel brackets. In some cases, the use of channel support systems is used in Aluminium or stainless-steel material. This fixing system technique is universally called a Ventilated façade which also can be referred to as Rainscreen cladding systems.

The term “ventilated facade” is used for the latest technology in natural stone installation. Other terms. such as mechanical fixing, anchoring systems and fixing systems are also used. Stone slabs are independently fixed to the backing wall with a cavity between the wall and the panel. This allows the replacement and repair of any slab without damaging the rest of the facade. The most important effect of this system is not only the security. With this system, there is space between the wall and the stone causing air ventilation, which creates natural isolation for the building. Air circulation through the cavity and open joints keep the natural stone panel’s dry and clean providing natural maintenance for the long durability of the facade.

Natural Stones panels are supported with stainless steel fixings in vertical or horizontal joints, depending on the location of the slab on the facade. The fixings enable three-dimensional adjustability, which provides 15 mm tolerance. This is normally adequate even if normal construction tolerances of the concrete frame are exceeded. The main purpose of these anchors is to transfer the dead load of the panels to the building.

There are many types of fixing systems that are used for special circumstances and technical specifications of the project. Fixing systems differ according to the dead load, size of projection, type of wall height of the building, wind load, seismic load and the nature of the installation.

There is Direct Fixing to Concrete walls and indirect fixing to subchannel systems. Subchannels are used either when the projection sizes are large or the walls are brick or Yutong where bolts cannot be used.

Fixings manufactured to known and tested to design criteria.
Channel Supports and Frames, Fixings and Bolts are all corrosion resistant Stainless Steel or Aluminium.
No bridging of the cavity can occur, as brackets do not transport moisture. An open cavity is kept which allows free ventilation.
The waterproof barrier is at the concrete face and this continued into the window without interruption.
Joints between the stones can be maintained at a uniform size.
Thermal and substrate movement is accommodated into the joint.
The risk of progressive collapse is eliminated.
Individual stones can be replaced.
The Fixing System greatly reduces damage to the cavity insulation and cold reduces bridging.
Slabs are supported independently.

HAZ Metal Fixing Systems is a worldwide renowned company that offers design and supply of fixing systems for Natural stone cladding. The company has extensive technical knowledge and experience and offers technical consultancy and design services for Architect, Builders and specialist façade contractors. Haz Metal Fixing systems have the capacity to supply projects of any size with the products and components required for the installation of natural stone wall cladding.