Split face

At Minéral, we enhance natural stone in all its forms and finishes. The "split-face" cladding is distinguished by its split stones, with flat faces that keep their natural irregularity and are never smooth like tiles. The irregular contours are preserved, offering a less massive, more airy style, for a structured, graphic, and contemporary look.

Where does this style come from?

This kind of wall comes from mountain regions. Schist, slate, quartzite or porphyry are layered rocks: they naturally split into slabs along their beds – that is cleavage. In the Alps, the Pyrenees or the slate country of Wales, they made straighter, more sober walls. The face is flat but never smooth like a tile: it is the same stone as crazy paving laid on the ground. Again, an origin, not a rule: cleft cladding is just as much at home by the sea.

1. Split stones with flat faces

Each stone is carefully split, creating a visible face that is flat. This regularity facilitates assembly and guarantees a harmonious wall, while preserving the natural texture and irregularities of the contours. Unlike rounded stones, split stones offer a sense of controlled solidity and a more refined aesthetic.

Product: Opus incertum in PHYLLITE

2. A subtle and refined texture

The flat surface keeps the natural relief of the split: it is more regular than rounded cladding, without ever being smooth. It captures the light and reveals the natural nuances of the stone, creating a living yet organized wall. The result is modern and graphic, while retaining the authenticity inherent in natural stone.

Product: Opus incertum in ADRIATICO QUARTZITE

3. Harmonized dimensions

Split stones are more uniform in thickness and width, offering precise assembly and a lighter, less massive finish than rounded cladding. This regularity allows for playing with the depth, length, and orientation of the stones to create a unique, structured, and elegant wall or paving.

Product: ROCKFACE BEIGE Cladding

4. Versatility and durability

Split stone is robust and durable, resistant to shocks and weather. It is suitable for exterior walls, interiors, paving, and landscaping. Its flat finish facilitates installation and guarantees a clean finish, while preserving the natural and lively appearance of the stone.