More-natural-look (MNL) Stone Panel System

The more-natural-look (MNL) stone cladding panel is a pre-fabricated masonry unit. This modularized innovative stone system saves both time and money compared with traditional stone masonry. The MNL stone cladding modular consists both panels (or flats) and quoins (or external corners). The edges of all stones are hand-dressed so that it has a very natural appearance. Quoins are mostly done with actual stone-itself-cut stone pieces.

More-natural-look (MNL) Stone Panel System- Technical Info

Panel Specification

For the MNL series of stone panels, the picture on the left is a dimensional drawing for the standard modular unit which covers an area of L550xH200mm (outer length is 600mm). The thickness is up to 40 mm from the back of the stone to the front surface.

We use different stone materials: slate, quartzite, granite, sandstone and limestone which have different colors ("colour" in British English) and textures. The individual pieces making up a panel also vary from piece to piece.

The panels can be done with 3 optional backs, full-concrete back, minimum-concrete back and metal wire back as follows.

3 optional backing systems

#1 full concrete backing system

In the full concrete backing system, concrete is actually the "glue" to freeze each pieces of stone in its position. Looking closer at the front of the panel, you see that all gaps between stone pieces are filled with concrete mortar and lights doesn't get through. The back of the panel is also covered with a 10mm thick layer of concrete. So this is the strongest system among the three.

This full-concrete-back system which originated from the Nordic countries has been the most widely used panel system ever. Its solid concrete back makes it more durable even in very cold areas. Each panel weights about 8.5~9.5 kg which is the heaviest among all the 3 options.

#2 Minimum Concrete Backing System

Minimum concrete back system uses much less concrete. Concrete mortar fills only the front, the gaps between the stone pieces. It uses limited concrete at the panel back without the 10mm thick layer of concrete at back as option #1, the weight is reduced quite a lot (by about 20%). Each panel weights for about 7.0~8.0 kg.

Since there is little concrete at the panel back, it is not as strongly bonded as full-concrete one, a PVC mesh is normally set at the back to increase the panel strength.

#3 Metal Wire Backing System

Metal wire net backing system uses no concrete at all, stone pieces are attached to the metal wire at the back by limited glue points. The metal wire is normally made by stainless steel which increases the cost by about 15% than options #1 & #2.

Looking at the front of the panel you will notice that no mortar is filled between the stone gaps. The stone pieces in the panel are totally dry-stacked.

This system is the lightest in weight, but stone pieces are not so strongly bonded as the above. There can be a risk that stone pieces may move or fall during the transit.

Accessory - Fixing Clips & Ceramsite

Two galvanized metal fixing clips can be embedded into the panel along with the production. When panels come with integrated fixing clips, the mechanical fixing to wall job is easier. All you need is appropriate bolts, screws and hammer.

The Advantage of MNL stone panel system

• Faster installation saving time
• Lower labour cost installation
• Less cutting & minimum waste
• Made of pure natural stone

Standard MNL panel size W550xH200xT35-45mm

Slate Stone Panel

Quartzite Stone Panel

Granite Stone Panel

Sandstone Panel

Limestone Panel

More-Natural-Look (MNL) Stone Corner/Quoin System - Technical Info

Corner/Quoin Specification

Quoin is an external angle of a wall.

For the MNL series of stone panel, the matching corner/quoin is done per the dimensional drawing on the left.

The regular size for the quoin is L(200+300) x H200. The thickness is up to 40 mm from the back of the stone to the surface.

The stone quoin we manufacture uses large-size actual-itself-cut stone dressed and arranged so as to form a decorative contrast with the adjoining wall panels.

Standard MNL Quoin size W(300+200)xH200xT35-45mm

Slate Quoin

Quartzite Quoin

Granite Quoin

Sandstone Quoin

Standard MNL Column size 450x450x300mm

A standard MNL column module is one pre-assembled with full concrete backing stones.

The outer diameter for each column modular is L450 x W450 x H300mm. The modular is stack-able which provide great simplicity in installation.

All stones in the columns are hand selected and trimmed to provide the fantastic natural look.

One-Stacked Column

Two-Stacked Column

Cap Stone & Coping

Cap stones are normally produced in the size of 550x550x30-40mm and are hand dressed with chopped edges.

MNL System Production Reference

Why does customer prefer bundled packages rather than card board boxes?

Every 2 pieces of finished concrete back panels are bundled with 2 belts and then put in a crate. Customer prefers this rather than card board boxes because the latter may rot stored in damp places.

MNL System Cladding Gallery

Concrete-back Cladding Panels Product Gallery

Concrete-back Stone Panel Project Gallery