Technical FAQ
What is the difference between
thin veneer and full-bed stone?
Same stone, same saws. The difference is depth, and how the wall carries it.
Thin veneer is sawn to ½″–1½″ and is an adhered veneer. It bonds to the wall through mortar over lath, carries no structural load, and needs no footing or shelf angle. That is why it works on wood frame, on retrofit, and on interiors.
Full-bed is split to 3½″–4½″ and is an anchored veneer. It sits on its own foundation ledge or shelf angle and ties back to the structure with corrosion-resistant anchors.
Side by side
| Thin veneer | Full-bed | |
|---|---|---|
| Depth | ½″ – 1½″ | 3½″ – 4½″ |
| Attachment | Adhered — mortar over lath | Anchored — ties to structure |
| Foundation ledge | Not required | Required |
| Sold by | Square foot | Ton — 35–40 sq ft per ton |
| Spec section | 04 43 13.16 Adhered | 04 43 13.13 Anchored |
What it means for the specification
These are two different sections in the project manual. A mixed project — a full-bed water table with thin veneer above — includes both, which is normal practice. Both guide specifications are available in Word format, ready to paste into the manual.
Every blend we cut is available in both. The face you see is the same stone either way; only the back is different, because thin veneer is sawn and full-bed is split to thickness.
The next step
Hold the stone
before you specify it.
Request a sample of any blend, in either thickness.