Is every granite suitable for exterior cladding?
No. Mineral composition, absorption, finish, panel geometry and climate all influence suitability. Review current test data for the exact material.
Back to the catalog
Natural stone by application
Natural stone for architectural facades
Facade stone must be selected as part of a building system. Freeze-thaw exposure, absorption, anchoring, panel geometry and long-term weathering all matter. Material identity is only the start; the specific test data and assembly must support the project location.
Verified U.S. inventory13 material profiles13 slabs represented
What to prioritize
Treat the stone and system as one specification
Granite and selected dense stones are common facade candidates, while other materials require careful evaluation. Use current laboratory data for the supplied lot and coordinate the stone supplier, facade engineer and installer before approval.
- 01
Project-specific weathering and freeze-thaw suitability
- 02
Engineering for anchors, panel size, thickness and wind load
- 03
Mockups that establish acceptable color and geological variation
Compare at a glance
A better material decision starts with performance.
Use these reference values to narrow the field before requesting samples, current slab photography, and project-specific fabrication guidance.
| Material | Water absorption | Hardness (Mohs) | Acid sensitivity | Sealing required | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01Verde UbatubaGranite | 0.2% | 6 | Low | No | 9 slabs |
| 02Black CosmicGranite | 0.2% | 6 | Low | No | 4 slabs |
Technical values are indicative references based on stone family and available material data. Confirm final performance, finish, sealing, and fabrication requirements against the selected physical slab before specification.
Facades
Recommended by spec for facades
Freeze-thaw, absorption and weathering put these first. Confirm the assembly; other catalog stones still appear below.
Rosso editorial pickGranite · Brazil
Verde Ubatuba
Also in the catalog
Other stones, still available.
The room does not hide a stone. These sit after the spec-led shortlist so you can still compare hardness, absorption and acid resistance.
Marble · Italy
Calacatta Borghini
- Absorption
- 0.4%
- Mohs
- 3–4
- Slabs
- 4
Quartzite · Brazil
Taj Mahal
- Absorption
- 0.35%
- Mohs
- 7
- Slabs
- 7
Quartzite · Brazil
Patagonia
- Absorption
- 0.25%
- Mohs
- 7
- Slabs
- 3
Quartzite · Brazil
Calacatta Bahia
- Absorption
- 0.3%
- Mohs
- 7
- Slabs
- 5
Quartzite · Brazil
Bianco Mar
- Absorption
- 0.3%
- Mohs
- 7
- Slabs
- 6
Marble · Italy
Statuario Venato
- Absorption
- 0.2%
- Mohs
- 3–4
- Slabs
- 2
Marble · Italy
Bardiglio Imperiale
- Absorption
- 0.4%
- Mohs
- 3–4
- Slabs
- 5
Marble · Greece
Thassos Ultra White
- Absorption
- 0.4%
- Mohs
- 3–4
- Slabs
- 3
Marble · Greece
Volakas Premium
- Absorption
- 0.4%
- Mohs
- 3–4
- Slabs
- 6
Onyx · Italy
Verde Onice Khorasan
- Absorption
- 0.7%
- Mohs
- 3
- Slabs
- 1
Quartzite · Brazil
Fusion
- Absorption
- 0.305%
- Mohs
- 7
- Slabs
- 4
Common questions
Specifying stone for facades
Why is a facade mockup important?
It validates attachment, joints, finish, cleaning and the range of natural variation before full production.
Need a second set of eyes?