Stone slabs have the greatest impact when installed in vertical wall applications. The natural veining and color of the stone is most prominent and impressive when viewed on a vertical surface. It is customary to purchase a slab of granite or marble from a flagstone yard that displays the stone in an upright position, where the colors and patterns are easily seen, and then install it on a horizontal surface, such as a countertop. The travesty in this scenario is that the countertop is inevitably covered in mail, decorative elements or miscellaneous things where the stone never looks the way it was selected from day one. To proudly display stone where it really shines, install it on a vertical surface, such as a shower surround, fireplace surround, kitchen backsplash, or wainscoting in a bathroom.
stone shower surrounds
A solid granite or marble shower surround is the ideal application to showcase the natural beauty of stone and reduce shower cleaning and maintenance time. Each stone slab is unique and has individual characteristics such as vein patterns, color variations, and types of movement. Within the same package of granite, the movement of the veins will vary from one slab to the next in a natural progression just as it is found in the earth. For this very reason, solid stone can be considered art when presented on a wall.
stone fireplace surrounds
Solid stone slab fireplace surrounds are a great place to showcase the beauty of natural stone. Traditional and modern fireplaces are usually placed to be a focal point and prominent feature in a room, therefore the color and movement of the stone is clearly visible. Depending on the design of the fireplace surround, it is an opportunity to display the stone where it can really be admired. Surrounds range from classic styles that closely wrap around the fireplace below the mantel to full-height wall elements that extend from floor to ceiling. The large selection of granite and marble makes it easy to find the perfect color and pattern for any style of fireplace surround.
Stone Kitchen Backsplash
There’s no better way to show off the beauty of your kitchen counter than by extending it from the backsplash to the cabinets and vent hood. This application accentuates the natural characteristics of the stone by allowing movement and colors to be seen from a different angle, on a vertical surface. One example is that iridescent chips in granite reflect light differently vertically and can draw attention to little “gems” in the stone that might have been overlooked on the countertop. Color movement and graining can also be pre-planned and prominently displayed to show certain parts of the slab that are more interesting than others.
stone coating for bathroom
Slabs of marble and granite make a great wainscoting in the bathroom. This application has a more luxurious look compared to tile and reduces the number of grout joints. A bathroom wainscoting is typically 36 to 48 inches high and trimmed with a profiled chair rail of stone or wood. Slabs can be installed in large solid slabs (approximately 6′ long) or cut into smaller sections to create a certain style or look. The most common tile sizes are 12″, 18″ and 24″ square, so installing one-size pieces like 24″ wide by 48″ tall installed vertically can show off the natural movement of the stone while achieving a European-style bathroom with the largest and most prestigious tiles.
