Vosges sandstone cladding on a façade in Sélestat

The project

For a recent house in Sélestat with a white rendered façade, the owners wanted to highlight the entrance wall and the gate pillar with a stone from the region.

The choices

Vosges sandstone cladding was chosen for its pinkish hue and fine grain, reminiscent of Alsace's traditional buildings. The clients took a sample home to judge the effect on site before ordering.

Its split surface keeps the raw, authentic look of sandstone. Naturally resistant to frost and weather, it suits façades, low walls and gate pillars.

Installation

The bonded installation was entrusted to a local façade contractor and completed in a few days. The pillar's corners were finished with the range's corner pieces, which give the edges the look of solid stone.

Cladding is bonded from the bottom up to a sound, clean and flat substrate (concrete, block, cement render) with an adhesive suited to outdoor use and natural stone. For installation with joints, allow about 15% extra material.

The result

About 18 m² of cladding give the entrance character: the sandstone's pinkish hue warms the façade, contrasting with the light render.

A natural stone clad wall needs no special maintenance; a water-repellent can be applied to faces exposed to rain to limit staining.