Outdoor granite panels: facades

 In Product aplications
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Product aplications

Granite is one of the most widely used materials outdoors thanks to its toughness. It stands up well to the elements and changes in weather, making it a popular option for surfaces that take a lot of abuse such as facades, flooring, stairs, as well as for columns, balustrades, and other decorative features.

Granite panels used for exterior cladding are durable, elegant, and provide excellent insulation of the entire building, meaning reduced energy consumption. What´s more, significant technological developments in the granite industry have meant that there´s an infinite range of grains and colour options to choose from that suit any decoration.

What to consider when choosing facade cladding

Granite panelling was traditionally considered as the luxurious option for covering building facades. Nowadays however,  there´s a large variety of granite on offer at low prices, and any type of granite can be used outdoors. What does need to be taken into account is the finish. Unlike the granite used indoors, outdoor granite can be gritted, flamed, bushammered or sawn, but never  polished. Also, before choosing an outdoor granite, we recommend you find out its slip resistance values.

Another thing to consider is its thickness; a minimum of 3cm is recommended and, in any case, should be no less than 2.5cm. It should also be professionally installed with a certified mechanical anchoring or profiling system that meets the current building regulations. Note also that granite can never be attached with glue or mortar, as was done in the past.

Protecting and cleaning granite facades

Cleaning small areas of granite facade is as easy as wiping it down with a wet a sponge or cloth soaked in warm water and mild soap. Hot soapy water doesn´t always do the trick though with tough stains or large surfaces; these cases may call for specialised cleaning products. There are  lots to choose from with a wide range of cleaning products and granite facade treatment products on the market nowadays.

In any case, exterior cladding granite slabs will have usually received a hydrophobic impregnation surface treatment, protecting the stone from bad weather conditions as well as from any possible stains or paint marks. Impregnation, however,  gradually loses its effectiveness over time, so it´s recommended that the treatment is reapplied periodically.

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