THIN STONE SYSTEMS, LLC

Thin Stone Systems, Inc. combines aspects of the proven technologies of the aluminum wall panel industry and the glass curtain wall industry with the new technology of Thin Reinforced Stone developed in Italy about 12 years ago. The TS100 Exterior Wall Cladding System (US patent pending) and the TS200 Interior Wall Paneling System (US patent pending) are the result of the blending of these technologies.

THE BASIC COMPONENTS

The basic components of both the exterior and the interior systems are the facing panel of 3/8" thin reinforced natural stone and the specially designed extruded aluminum frames and stiffeners which are shop-applied to the back of the facing panels with structural silicone. Interlocking clips, angles, and runners provide the means to pre-assemble and/or anchor the panels or assemblies to the building substrate in a simple installation process.

THE PANEL FACING

The Thin Reinforced Stone technology was developed in Italy in the late 1980's and its products have been successfully used throughout the world for more than 10 years in both exterior and interior applications. Using this technology, a quarried block of natural stone - granite, marble, or limestone - is sliced into ultra-thin sheets of stone 5/16" or 3/8" thin and 4 to 5 feet wide by 8 to 10 feet long. These thin, brittle sheets of stone are simultaneously reinforced with nettings of high-strength glass fiber fabric which is bonded to the stone by epoxy in a vacuum formed impregnation process. This process transforms a brittle, ultra-thin sheet of stone into a strong, lightweight, non-brittle (ductile) and impermeable panel which is ideal for use as exterior cladding as well as large dimension interior wall paneling.

THE SYSTEM

The TS100 and the TS200 framing systems provide the necessary structural stiffness, in the case of exterior cladding, to resist the specified wind loads as well as other external loads caused by temperature variations and seismic forces. The angle brackets, attachment clips, and wall runners facilitate simple installation to various substrates including steel stud framing, aluminum curtain wall frames, plywood, and gypsum sheathing or existing masonry walls and existing EIFS wall surfaces. In the case of interior paneling the system provides the rigidity and security needed to handle these very large panels during transportation and installation. For a more detailed discussion of these wall systems go to TS100 EXTERIOR SYSTEM and TS200 INTERIOR SYSTEM.

PRODUCT AND SYSTEM DATA

The thin reinforced stone has been subjected to extensive laboratory testing to determine the physical and mechanical characteristics which confirm its outstanding qualities. Freeze-thaw testing has confirmed the excellent durability of the stone's strength and bond of the reinforcing. Full size wall panels were tested for wind loading, air infiltration and water penetration. The system can be designed to resist different windload requirements. For more information on this subject go to TECHNICAL DATA.

THE ADVANTAGES

Because of its light weight and the ease, speed, and simplicity of installation, the TS100 and the TS200 wall systems can generate significant cost savings over the much thicker and heavier traditional stone by reducing labor and general construction time and overhead. Utilizing various mechanical clip connectors, panels can be pre-assembled into more complex shapes such as sill and soffit returns, column covers cornices and copings which can be installed as one piece. Wall system panels can be installed by a variety of tradesmen including carpenters, ironworkers, and glaziers, as well as traditional stone contractors.