More and more, stone cladding is being used for interior and exterior walls, for the captivating, natural appearance it lends to the architectural space. Stone Wall Cladding presents the look of solid stone at a more lightweight and affordable price making this option available to both builders and homeowners. If you are thinking about stone cladding for your home or commercial property then one of the first things on your mind will be 'how much will it cost?'
In this article, we break down the factors affecting the cost of stone cladding walls, and give you an idea of a price range for your project to help you budget.
Some expensive qualities that will help determine the cost of stone cladding.
Type of Stone
Stone cladding cost is greatly influenced by the material you use. Then there's natural stone like slate, granite and limestone which are typically more expensive than manufactured stone veneers. It's natural stone and it's more expensive, and to purchase and heavier and more labor-intensive to build, so put all that together and that's the conclusion. Manufactured stone on the other hand is a much more cost effective alternative and comes in a wide range of styles and colors to give you the look of real stone for less money.
Size of the Project
How much area you want to cover will determine the cost. The price for stone cladding is generally figured per square meter, so the bigger the wall, the more pricy it becomes. It’s also cheaper to cladding smaller areas like feature walls and accent walls, but when you want to go full cladding, the budget will be larger.
Installation Costs
Depending on how complex the job is, the labor involved in installing stone cladding can range up quite a bit. Some stones are easier than others to work with, and sometimes more intricacy to the design can also impact labor costs. So, for example, a simple installation with minimal cuts and adjustments will cost less than a more detailed installation with curves and pattern. Prices for labor will vary from $30 to $80 per square meter, depending on the complexity of the work and the experience of the installer.
Location
The cost of stone cladding installation can also depend on where you live. In general, areas with a higher cost of living will result in higher labor rates that will occur across the entire project. If you live in a remote area, transportation costs associated with both materials and labor will be higher adding to the price.
Surface Preparation
Another factor to consider is the condition of the wall that you’re cladding. The total cost may be a reflection of the extent of the surface preparation required, for example, leveling, waterproofing or installation of a supporting framework. Sometimes, you will need to repair or reinforce the existing wall to hold up the weight of stone cladding, especially if your using natural stone.
Additional Features
In the case of any other corner stones, ledges, or capping stones, they will also increase the entire cost of your stone cladding project. While adding to the visual effect of the cladding, these features add to material and labor cost.
The cost of stone cladding on a square meter basis is varying from the original entry to a certain limit, after which it climbs very steeply.
To give you a better idea of the potential costs, here is a general price range for different types of stone cladding:
Natural Stone Cladding
Natural stone cladding is going to set you back between $100 and $250 per square meter depending on though the type of stone. Common installation cost of slate tile, sandstone installation or granite cost can range anywhere from $5 to $15 per square feet, but the higher end stones (like marble or granite) will be on the higher side of this range, while cheaper stones such as slate or sandstone will be closer to the lower end.
Manufactured Stone Veneer
If you’re willing to spend less, manufactured stone veneer can be purchased for $50 – $100 per square meter. This material is easier to install, cutting labor costs as well, and comes in for a fraction of the cost to give the look of natural stone.
Labor Costs
It’s important to remember that the labor costs for stone cladding installation depends upon the complexity of the project and where you live. Installation will cost on average between $30 to $80 per square meter.
Surface Preparation Costs
The addition of wallpapers to your wall won’t cost you much if there is no need for the preparation of your wall but if your wall requires anything much preparation such as waterproofing or structural reinforcement will add up to it to about $10 – $50 per square meter.
Additional Costs to Consider
When it comes to budgeting for stone cladding however, here are a few other costs which you should remember. These include:
- Transportation: Transportation costs to get your stone will vary based on where you purchase your stone and how far it is from the supplier to your home. If you’re using natural stone it’s going to be heavier and therefore more expensive to transport, so you’ve got to factor that into your overall budget.
- Maintenance: Stone cladding is a durable and relatively low maintenance product, but it isn’t maintenance free. If it’s exposed to the elements, over time, you might have to clean and reseal the stone to keep its look.
Conclusion
The factors include the type of material, the size and level of a project, labor, surface preparation and location. While the materials will ideally cost between $50 and $250 per square meter, labor will cost you between $30 and $80, depending on the size of your balcony. When making plans for your project, you should include the additional costs, like transportation and the maintenance and upkeep of your tracks.
The Stone Evolution provides you with high quality stone cladding material, and also expert installation services—all at any budget and design choice. They have a team of professionals that can assist you in turning your space into a place with the not so timeless beauty of stone.
