NextStone™ is made of a composite Polyurethane, reinforced with recycled PVC for durability. It is mixed with UV inhibitors and fire retardants. All panels and accessories are created with a proprietary in-mold coating to prevent fading, then hand-painted with an exterior durable paint.

Absolutely. Panels and accessories are very easily cut with any standard saw you would use for wood.

Yes. If you have a gas or electrical fireplace, the product can be installed up to the opening.

NextStone™ products are designated as non-flammable.

If you have a wood burning, open-hearth fireplace, the product must be installed with a set-back maintained at least the distance recommended for wood products. All manufacturers differentiate this in the use of products in their installation guidelines. Check with the manufacturer of your fireplace. For a free-standing wood-burning stove, it is recommended to have NextStone™ installed at least 24" inches away.

Most Certainly. Installing NextStone™ requires the panels and accessories to be screwed on any flush substrate. This application is no different than attaching the panels to cement or cinder block.

Strong cement screws are required. Standard or Stainless Steel Tapcon screws are the most popular used.

The use of Plywood or OSB board onto the cement, then NextStone™ onto the board, is also a popular way of securing the panels.

Although Polyurethane has minimal expansion and contraction, it is recommended to acclimate the NextStone™ panels to even further minimalize any movement once they are installed. To acclimate the panels, simply open the box and let them "breath". No need to remove panels from the box and make sure this is done in a covered area such as a garage away from direct sun. Acclimate for 24-48 hours. During installation, make sure to install panels and components tightly together. See NextStone™ classroom videos for installation tips.

Any Polyurethane adhesive, such as PL Premium Construction Adhesive by Loctite, can be used with the NextStone™ product.

Over time, an adhesive may wear or deteriorate, therefore installing with screws is recommended.

They sure are.

The Slatestone Post Covers are made to cover 4x4 or 6x6 deck posts, fence posts, porch posts etc. They are 8" x 8" x 41" high and have caps in complimentary colours. The Post Cover Caps are 10.5" x 10.5" x 3.5" and are available in five colours: Brown, Buff, Charcoal, Gray, and Onyx.

The Slatestone Column Wraps can be installed on any column application such as a base of a post or large structural columns. They are 16" x 16" x 30" and have specific column caps to go with them. The Column Caps are 18" x 18" x 3.5". The Column Caps are available in five colours: Brown, Buff, Charcoal, Gray, and Onyx.

Yes. A vapour barrier will be needed to protect the wall from possible moisture. The panels have recessed air chambers and weep channels on the back to allow for drainage. Soap scum can be cleaned with mild dish soap and a soft brush. Some chose to put a clear coat on the panels that is compatible with Polyurethane and latex paint.

Woodpecker problems are not common with the NextStone™ product although there have been a few instances in areas where woodpeckers are prevalent.

Although durable, constant pecking in a particular area with a sharp beak, or any sharp instrument for that matter, can cause damage to the finish and eventually go through the entire thickness of the panel. Although NextStone™ is extremely durable to the elements, nothing short of real stone can stand in the way of a motivated woodpecker. If you live in an area where Woodpeckers are problematic, please contact our office for helpful installation hints to assist in deterring the birds from wanting to peck.

You can also visit these sites that provide additional information and ideas to help keep them away:
www.attackspider.com
www.birdbgone.com
www.pestkill.org

Yes. Applying a clear coat to help protect the panels from grease splatter behind a kitchen stove is an option. NextStone™ recommends a Polyurethane Clear Coat. Using a Polyurethane Clear Coat will not void the NextStone™ Product Warranty, but NextStone™ is not responsible for any chalking or discolouration caused by the Polyurethane Clear Coat.

Unfortunately, yes. Mice can chew through wood, plastic, vinyl, aluminum and even concrete if it is not cured properly. Steel wool is about the only thing those cute little pesky rodents can't chew through.

Yes. When installed on metal buildings, a backer board can be used as a solid substrate to allow all screws to attach properly.

The backer board or OSB should be a minimum ½" thick. This board should be attached securely to the building using a construction adhesive and screws. It may be necessary to bolt the screws down to avoid the panels and/or backerboard pulling away from the corrugated siding.

Use appropriate weatherproof substrate or sheathing as per local codes. Then proceed as per normal installation instructions.

NextStone™ has an R-Value of 4.5 per inch of thickness when used on exterior applications. This additional insulation will help reduce energy costs by naturally decreasing heating and cooling functions.

Absolutely. Ensure you are using a screw appropriate for the type of substrate on which the product is being installed. Also, make sure that the surface is flat enough for the interlocking finger joints to properly slot together for a seamless appearance.

Yes. All NextStone™ products can be recoated but because of the "mold release agent" on the outer surface of the products, each piece must be prepared accordingly. The surface must be wiped down with a soft bristle brush or clean cloth. Paint primer is not required, but if you choose to use a primer it must be compatible with polyurethane products. In addition, we recommend using Sherwin Williams Flat Latex A100 Water-based paint.