What can Unreal Stone be applied over?
Unreal Stone can be applied over most substrates as long as it is in sound condition. Existing brick, weatherboard, fibro and besser block.

Hardies fibro weatherboard before		Clad with Unreal Stone

What if the existing substrate has cracks in it?


Generally that is not a problem unless it affects the structural integrity of the building. Any cracks should be filled/sealed with FlexiSeal or Sikaflex prior to application of Unreal Stone cladding. Application of the cladding with recommended flexible adhesives combined with flexible grout means the existing cracks will not transfer themselves through the cladding tile as has occurred in the adjacent picture. In this instance the original brick fence was rendered only to have visible cracks occurring 6 months later. The owners then had real sandstone tiles hard fixed to render in an attempt to cover the cracks over. As the picture shows further movement resulted in the cracking being transferred through and visibly cracking the sandstone facings. This occurred on three separate sections of the fence shown. This will not occur with Unreal Stone and at worst in extreme movement expansion conditions only the grout would open up which is easily touched up and fixed  with more flexible grout being applied.

I am building a new home, what should I line it with prior to cladding?
The least expensive options are blue-board or polystyrene sheeting over timber or metal framework. If using blue-board it should be fixed to manufacturers specifications with adhesive to studs in conjunction with the mechanical fastenings. Joints need not be taped and filled but FlexiSeal or Sikaflex should be applied between butt joints. The stone cladding can then butted to window and doors frames/architraves which will provide a finished look similar to the pictures below.

Polystyrene is extensively used in buildings these days as it is easy to fit and its inherent thermal and sound qualities. 100mm thick polystyrene sheeting has an insulation R value of around 2.4 so with the addition of the cladding you shall achieve an R value of around 3.2 overall. Unlike the application of blue-board which will still require insulation in the wall cavities and the costs thereof.  The use of polystyrene negates the need for wall batts and you save those costs. If noise is an issue you are concerned with polystyrene has excellent noise retention capabilities. Using polystyrene means the window and door reveals sit back from the facing stone and provides the depth of look similar to that of original stone installations. Polystyrene is available with built in fire retardants and termite resistance. It is as easy to fix the cladding to polystyrene as it is to blue-board. The cost to clad polystyrene is a little more expensive only because reveal blocks and reveal lintels etc, are more slightly more expensive than flat stone/lintels required for a blue-board installation. Overall the effect can be worth it and with the extra insulation value well worth it. The same look is achieved over brickwork or Besser block as the windows are generally set back from the face stone and require reveal lintels and reveal blocks.

Polystyrene over timber stud frame then clad with stone prior to grouting.
Cladding over Brick
Blue-board lining before		Finished with Unreal Stone cladding

What is Unreal Stone made from?
Unreal Stone is made from high spec synthetic polymers and real sands with a fireproof backing unlike most other simulated stone made from concrete, aggregate and colorants. As a result it is much lighter in weight and can be adhered to substrates with high quality adhesives rather than rigid mortars. It has the ability to flex by 10 degrees when warmed without cracking thus can be used for curved walls set to an internal or external radius of plus 4 metres.

BEFORE		AFTER

How heavy is Unreal Stone?
Unreal Stone weighs about 10kg per square metre of stone.

How thick is a piece of Unreal Stone?
Thickness is usually 8mm to 10mm at edges with the face stone thickness around 13mm for the flatter textures and then up to 25mm for rockface texture at the high points.

Is there a warranty on Unreal Stone?
Yes, it comes with a 20 warranty when fixed in accordance with specifications. The use of natural coloured sands only eliminates the possibility of fading due to weathering and UV exposure. Natural silica (what glass is made from) in the sand finish actually reflects harmful UV rays from attacking the integrity of the base and the finished surface. Unreal Stone has undergone extensive weather meter and UV testing in Q-Lab Florida USA including freeze-thaw cycles. Q-Lab are a World accredited testing laboratory who undertake quality and weather testing to AS Standards and ASTM Standards. Q-Lab test products for DuPont, General Motors and many other large companies and brands. The test samples included grouted finishes and showed little to no breakdown in colour fading or surface integrity.

How are the colours applied to the stone?
The base colour is throughout the stone face and the accent colours are added into the surface of the stone during the manufacturing process. There are no artificial colourants or oxides used in the manufacture of Unreal Stone. Only sourced natural coloured sands are used at all times.

What are the main benefits of Unreal Stone?
Apart from its lovely natural stone finish it is a very low cost alternative to real sandstone. The low cost is due to its ease of installation. Most good tradesmen tilers, carpenters or bricklayers should have no problems fitting Unreal Stone. No costly foundations to construct and no messy mortars to contend with. There is very little product wastage. It is also within the capabilities of those handy people who wish to do it themselves, something most people would not do with the real thing.