FAQ’s

Thin Veneers

  1. What is the weight of Pangaea Natural Stone Thin Veneers and related thickness?
    • All our natural stone thin veneers meet the national ASTM and CSA codes to be considered a light weight thin veneer. Natural stone thin veneers must be 15 lbs per square foot or less to be considered a light weight veneer. If the stone veneers are 15 lbs per square foot or less, then no structural requirement is necessary. Therefore our stone veneers are considered an esthetic detail verses a structural detail. Please note the following styles of stone veneers with their corresponding weight guidelines:
      • Ledgestone approximately 9 to 11 lbs per square foot
      • Microledgestone approximately 11 to 13 lbs per square foot
      • Castlestone approximately 9 to 12 lbs per square foot
      • Fieldstone approximately 9 to 12 lbs per square foot
    • The thickness of our thin veneers are between ¾” to 1 ¼” with the exception of our micro-ledgestone which is 1″ to 1 ½”
  2. Are Pangaea Natural Stone Thin Veneers performance tested?
    • Yes, all our thin veneers are ASTM tested for Freeze/Thaw stability, compressive break load, flexural strength, water absorption, etc. Our natural stone thin veneers far exceed the minimal acceptable ASTM/CSA standards for both the USA and Canada.
  3. How consistent are the colors of Pangaea Natural Stone Thin Veneers?
    • All our veneers are quarried from the earth, and therefore the colors are steadfast. This is very important for the esthetic detail when the mason is cutting and tooling the stone during installation. This is also very important as the stone may need to be cleaned from time to time due to natural weathering. You do not have to worry about exposing the layers of natural stone below the surface when cleaning.
    • Secondly, natural stone does vary in color and can vary in color within the same quarry. Our quality control experts ensure that colors are well blended within each layer of each crate. We also ensure that all sizes from heights and lengths are well represented. All our sample boards represent the range of color a customer can expect. However, because we are dealing with natural stone, it is ultimately the responsibility of the installer to facilitate design control for the project. If you wish to remove certain colors from the stones blend to get a desired outcome, please ensure that you increase your quantities to account for this. Removing certain colors which the customer may not desire is the responsibility of the customer.
  4. Will the color of natural stone fade over time like manufactured stone?
    • No. Natural stone color is steadfast and will remain the same for the life cycle of the product. If the stones develop a patina on the surface of the stone due to natural weathering, this may be easily cleaned to bring back the original color. You can do this time and time again over the life cycle of the stone. You cannot do this with manufactured stone. Manufactured stone colors will fade over time due to exposure to the elements whereas natural stone thin veneers will gain beauty and character with each passing year.
  5. Do I have to worry about efflorescence?
    • With natural stone you do not have to worry about efflorescence which occurs when water moving through a wall or other structures like brick or fire stop mortars is driven out as a result of the heat of hydration as cement stones are being formed. This brings water to the surfaces that are not commonly bound as part of the cement stone. When the water evaporates it leaves the salt behind. The salt forms a white fluffy deposit that can normally be brushed off. The white deposit is referred to as efflorescence. Since primary efflorescence brings out salts that are not ordinarily part of the cement stone, it is not a structural, but, rather, an aesthetic concern. Pangaea Natural Stone Thin Veneers have very minimal water absorption through the stone which substantially reduces or virtually eliminates problems with efflorescence. If efflorescence does occur on the surface of the stone it can be easily cleaned with brushing or simply with a mixture of vinegar and water. Do not use an acidic solution on your stone veneers to remove efflorescence on the surface of the stone, but rather a higher pH solution, because the stone may not be acid resistant.
  6. How does the quality of Pangaea Natural Stone Thin Veneers compare to best quality manufactured thin veneer?
    • Pangaea Natural Stone Thin Veneers are far superior to manufactured stone veneers in all areas of performance testing. ASTM performance testing can be found on the resources page of our website. Compare our stone test results to any manufactured stone in the market place and see the difference for yourself. Please click on this link to find more information on how our stone performs. The term “quality” in our industry is overused and often not substantiated. Anyone can say they have a quality product, however if the company making the claim cannot back their claim with third party performance test results, you need to be skeptical. Natural stone is not a man-made product and therefore the quality of raw material from one part of the quarry may differ from another part of the quarry. Performance testing is the only way to assure product quality and guarantee it to our customers.
  7. Does natural stone have a warranty?
    • No. There is no warranty on natural stone because it is a product of nature. Blemishes, fissures, striations, veining, etc are natural characteristics of the beauty of natural stone and are not considered “product defects”. However, the only way to ensure there are no product failures is to have the natural stone product performance tested. Performance tests ensure product quality in lieu of product warranty. Project failures rarely are a result of product failures but rather installation failures. Ensure that you do your homework and find a certified professional.
  8. How easy is it to install Pangaea Natural Stone Thin Veneers?
    • Pangaea Natural Stone Thin Veneers are very easy to install in comparison to any other natural stone thin veneer and also in comparison to manufactured thin veneers for the following reasons:
      • Our thin veneers are primarily fabricated from natural sandstone. Sandstone is granular making the stone easy to tool, shape and fit where required during the installation process.
      • Sandstone is composed of silica. Silica is acid resistant by nature. Therefore our sandstone is very easy to clean after installation and easy to maintain for the life cycle of the product.
      • Pangaea Natural Stone Thin Veneers all come with GripSet™ technology which increases the surface area of the stone which also increases the co-efficient of friction and allows the stone to attach quickly to a vertical substrate. This also helps make it an ideal product for seismic areas of our continent.
  9. Is Pangaea Natural Stone Thin Veneer a “green” product?
    • Yes. The production of our stone emits minimal carbon into our environment as much of our production process involves a high degree of labor and minimal machinery. Our stones must be split and tooled with the expert knowledge of our masons and machinery for this process is no substitute. Any of our natural stone waste from our fabrication process is recycled for roads and infrastructure construction. All the water used for the processing of our stone is 100% recycled. All our tools used in fabricated are easily re-sharpened and reused. Currently we are working with GHG Climate Team, LLC. in Sacramento, CA to evaluate our carbon foot emissions to ensure that we maintain our social responsibility.
  10. What sort of maintenance is involved with Pangaea Natural Stone Thin Veneers compared to manufactured stone thin veneers?
    • Our stone veneers are virtually maintenance free. From time to time you may want to power wash your stone and remove any patina that may have formed on the stones surface from natural weathering, other than this, there is no maintenance required. Natural stone veneers require the least maintenance of any cladding product available in the marketplace today. With manufactured veneers, you cannot clean the surface of the veneer in any way as the paint will be removed from the surface exposing the pumice underneath. If you are using manufactured veneers for the exterior of your home or commercial project, you will eventually have to replace this material due to the products failure over time which will become a very expensive proposition. A performance failure of a manufactured veneer on an exterior space is inevitable as a man-made exterior veneer will never stand up to the test of time.
  11. How does Pangaea Natural Stone Thin Veneer prices compare to manufactured veneer prices?
    • Pangaea Natural Stone Thin Veneers are very competitive when it comes to the supply and installation of our products for the following reasons:
      • All our natural stone thin veneers are sold as a dry stack. This means that if you have a project which is 100 square feet, you will receive 100 square feet of material. All manufactured veneers are sold with ½” mortar joints, therefore when you order 100 square feet and want to dry stack your installation, you will have to order 15% more material.
      • Secondly, with manufactured veneers you may receive another 5% to 10% of your material order which are broken and not usable. 100% of our natural stone thin veneers are useable because with natural stone, the only wastage are the cuts that a mason makes during installation. Natural stone you can cut to fit, with manufactured stone you cannot cut to fit and are limited with the pieces you receive and therefore may have a higher degree of wastage.
      • Thirdly, you must consider “capital costs” verses “operational costs” of your project when you are considering price. The “capital cost” is the initial cost of the materials and installation for your project. The “operational cost” is the cost of maintaining the product for the life cycle of the product. Pangaea Natural Stone Thin Veneers may have a slightly higher “capital cost”, however there are no “operational costs” associated with the product over the life cycle of the product. Manufactured stone has a slightly lower “capital cost”, however the “operational cost” can be astronomical. “Operational costs” will primarily be in the form of replacement cost due to the products performance failure over time.
  12. Can there every be a repeating patter with natural stone thin veneers compared to manufactured thin veneers?
    • No. Each piece of natural stone is as unique as a fingerprint and can never be duplicated as designed by nature. Also, masons are like artists and each mason will place his or her own finger print on the project. Two homes or commercial projects side by side with the same natural stone will look different from each other for these reasons. If you are using natural stone thin veneers on your project, your project will always be unique.

Peruvian Travertine

  1. Where do Pangaea travertines come from?
    • Pangaea Natural Stone Inc. provides travertines from Peru which are from the Andes Mountain Range. The travertines are quarried between 13,000 to 16,000 feet above sea level and are some of the world’s most dense and durable travertines and have ASTM performance tests which confirm the quality of the stones. ASTM quality testing ensures customers a piece of mind as natural stone is not a man made material and various parts of quarries may have stones which are of different quality.
  2. What makes Peruvian Travertine the hardest travertines in the world?
    • Geological theory suggests that at the elevations that the travertines are quarried, there is less gravitational force, high temperature gradients and less oxygen acting upon the stones in comparison to other travertines from around the world. Therefore, the stones have had more time for sedimentation and compaction. Stones that are quarried at lower altitudes do not have these earths’ forces acting upon them and therefore tend to be a much softer and more porous.
  3. How do I ensure that Pangaea is delivering a high quality travertine?
    • Anyone can say they produce a high quality product, however we ensure product quality is backed by independent testing by the American Society of Testing Material (ASTM). All our Peruvian travertines are independently tested by the American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM) for compressive break load, flexural strength, freeze/thaw stability, slip resistance, etc.
  4. What is the weight of Peruvian Travertine?
    • Travertine tile and thin slabs are 5 lbs per square foot regardless of sizes from 4′x4′ to 36”x84′ because the thickness is all 3/8′.
  5. Do Peruvian travertines need to be sealed?
    • Yes, only for the purpose of ease of maintenance. However, if you have travertine that is being installed in a hallway then the homeowner has a choice of whether they want the product to be sealed. If the stone is being installed in areas of the home where the stone will be free from high traffic or liquid spills, then sealing is not required. Save money and do not invest in a high gloss sealer as a high gloss sealer will not bring out any additional color in travertine. Sealers on travertine will only serve the purpose of ease of maintenance and will not act to enhance the colors of your travertine.
  6. Do Peruvian travertines have to be sealed prior to grout?
    • No. Peruvian travertines are not as moisture absorbent as other travertines from other regions of the globe such as Turkey, Italy or Mexico. Due to the density of the Peruvian travertine, the stone can be sealed after grout. This will save you time and money during the installation process.
  7. How many coats of sealer should I apply to the surface of my Peruvian travertine?
    • Regardless of the stone you are sealing, the stone must be sealed to saturation. Peruvian travertines may only absorb one coat of sealer to consider the stone saturated due to the stones density, whereas sandstones may take up to 5 to 6 coats of sealer to be considered saturated.
    • Generally speaking the advice often given is to apply two coats of sealer, the problem with this advice is that if a stone is not sealed to saturation then it may still be susceptible to moisture absorption and staining. Please note that any excess sealer that remains on a stones surface after the stone is saturated with sealer MUST be cleaned within seconds. If sealer pools on the surface of the stone and cures, it will result in a very unappealing surface finish and texture and will be very hard to remove and may damage the stone in the process.
  8. Can Peruvian travertine be used outdoors?
    • Yes, as all the Peruvian travertines are tested for freeze/thaw stability. However, I would recommend that the stones be installed in areas that are covered as the stones are carbon based and therefore will oxidize over time which may etch the surface of the stone and/or may change color overtime. If you are okay with the stone naturally oxidizing due to pollution or acid rain, then you can install Peruvian travertine in exposed areas.
  9. Can I install Peruvian travertines in high traffic areas?
    • Yes you can because of the density of the material. Because of the density, the stone will show minimal wear patterns over time compared to any other travertine. Peruvian travertine can also be resurfaced over time. Peruvian travertine is a lifelong product and can be resurfaced many times over the life cycle of the product which can bring back the surface to its original state.
  10. What is the life cycle of natural stone?
    • Good quality natural stone is a product which last for many lifetimes, but because we have to give a life cycle value, we generally say 1,000 years. However, we know of many ancient natural stone structures from around the world which have far surpassed the 1,000 year mark. If the right stone is chosen for the application, the stone will last you a lifetime and be virtually maintenance free. You cannot say this about most man made products.
  11. Can I install Peruvian travertine on my kitchen floors and/or foyers?
    • Yes you can because of the stones density; the stone is more resistant to staining. If sealers are applied properly in common areas such as the kitchen or foyers, the stone is virtually maintenance free over the life cycle of the stone. If the stone scratches, you can resurface the stone so the stones beauty will last you a lifetime. In foyers, ensure that proper mats are used to prevent stones from the bottom of shoes unnecessarily scratching the surface of your travertine. Also in northern climates, please insure that in the winter months you contain any snow or ice on rubber mats and prevent the surface of the stone from being exposed to salt or any type of deicer which can etch the surface of the travertine.
  12. Can Peruvian travertine be used for kitchen counter tops?
    • Yes, however you must be prepared for a maintenance schedule because of acids that are present in kitchens, such as lemon juice, lime juice, red wine, etc. which will etch the surface of your kitchen counter top over time as spill occur. Therefore, travertine counter tops would better perform in areas such as bathroom vanities where acids are not present.
  13. Are there any operational or maintenance cost associated with Peruvian travertine?
    • For a residential application, from time to time, a homeowner may be required to re-seal the product; otherwise the product can be easily cleaned with a natural stone cleaner or any other non-abrasive cleaner with a high pH solution to ensure that the surface of the stone does not etch. Over many years of wear and tear, you may want to resurface the stone to bring the stone back to its original state. This is up to the individual home owner and is not a requirement.
    • If the Peruvian travertine is being installed commercially, then there will be a minimal operation costs that has to be associated with resurfacing the stone over time due to the quantity of foot traffic. Remember that natural stone has a 1,000 year life cycle so just like on-site finished hardwood flooring; the stone can be resurfaced to a honed or polished surface from time after time over the life cycle of the product.
  14. How will my floors look after 5 or 10 years of wear?
    • Year after year, natural stone gets more beautiful with age. The more a stone weathers and the more foot traffic the stone is exposed to, the more beautiful the stone will look. This cannot be said for many man-made products. It’s one of the best investments you will ever make.
  15. How much more expensive is natural stone then a man made product?
    • Generally speaking, the initial cost or capital cost of the supply and installation of natural stone may be slightly more expensive, however over the life cycle of the product, there are minimal, if any, operational costs associated with a high quality natural stone. Man made products will have a far greater operational costs associated with the product over the life cycle of the product. Natural stone is your best investment.
  16. What’s the difference between Silicate and Carbonate based stones?
    • Silicate based stones are stones that are either igneous, sedimentary and some metamorphic stones such as slate. Silicate stones are acid resistant verses Carbonate based stone which are not acid resistant. This is why granite is specifically used for kitchen counter tops. Silica, which is naturally present in granite and sandstone, neutralizes acids making the stone acid resistant. Carbonate based stones such as travertine, limestone, marble and some slates are not acid resistant. If the stones are not acid resistant then they are better for indoor use verses outdoor use. It’s not to say that the stones cannot be used outdoors, however the homeowner must be aware that the stone will oxidize and change color over time. Oxidation may also affect the performance of the stone.
  17. How do I remove hard water stains from my travertine?
    • You can use “0000” steel wool. This will not scratch the surface and you will not require any chemicals.
  18. How do I know when it is time to reseal my travertine?
    • You can perform a simple water test. Place a drop of water on various areas of your stone floor and time how long it takes for the water to absorb. If the water absorbs in less than one minute…it’s time to reseal.

Rustic Earthy Slate

  1. What is slate?
    • Slate is a metamorphic rock, meaning that it is composed of both igneous and sedimentary rocks “morphed” together to form a new rock derived by heat and pressure over millions of years. Slate is primarily volcanic ash and clay foliated in layers. Many slates will form smooth flat sheets of stone which have been used for roofing and floor tiles and other purposes.
  2. Can slate be installed outdoors?
    • Yes and no, please keep reading…Slate can be installed outdoors, however the stone must meet your expectations when it comes to performance. The darker the slate the better the performance for exterior applications. However not everyone wants a dark stone, so if a lighter colored stone is what you desire then I would only recommend it for covered areas outdoors. Generally speaking lighter colored slates tend to be less durable when it comes to freeze/thaw stability. Therefore if you live in a climate where there are many freeze/thaw cycles and your slate is installed outdoors not sheltered from the environment, the slate can split apart in the layers. If you want slate you can expose to the elements, please choose a black slate as the layers are more tightly packed together. Or if you want a lighter color then there are better choices then slate such as sandstones or granite.
  3. What types of surface finishing do you offer on slate?
    • We offer surface finishes in both honed and natural.
  4. Does slate have to be sealed?
    • Yes, we always recommend sealing slate to saturation. You must apply at least one coat of sealer to the surface before grouting the stone during installation. If you do not seal the surface you could experience grout haze which is difficult to remove from the surface of the stone once the grout has penetrated.
    • Sealer will also bring out the colors of the stone and sealers are available in both high gloss and matte and also in solvent based or water based. Due to the green movement, solvent based sealers are harder to come by.