Decorative Stone
Hashmi and Pharaonic stone types and prices. El-Eman Office provides stone facade installation.
How to choose the right stone for your facade
Choosing Hashmi and Pharaonic stone is not only about colour. It depends on the building and its location. Facades facing a main street or close to the sea face humidity, salt and dust, so a dense, low-porosity stone is the better choice. Inner courtyards and light wells can take softer, lighter types.
- Ask for a large sample rather than a small piece, and look at it in both daylight and shade.
- Check that the colour stays consistent between shipments, because some quarries vary from batch to batch.
- Inspect the thickness and edges of the pieces. Uneven pieces give irregular joints once installed.
- Ask where the stone comes from and what surface finish it has (bush-hammered, chiselled or smooth), since each behaves differently with dust.
Installation details that decide facade quality
Small details matter more than the type of stone. The wall must be level and plumb before fixing begins, and any crack or large slope should be corrected with mortar first. On long facades, expansion joints are needed so the stone does not separate as temperatures change.
- Separate the stone from metal or concrete elements with a suitable layer to avoid rust stains.
- Keep joints equal using fixed-width plastic spacers.
- On high elevations, use mechanical fixings designed and reviewed by a structural engineer.
- Treat the lower sections near the ground against rising damp so salts do not appear on the stone face.
Maintenance, common mistakes and questions for your contractor
Wash the stone periodically with water and a soft brush, and avoid strong acids, which eat the surface and change its colour. A clear protective coating suited to the stone can reduce water absorption and staining, after consulting your supplier.
Common mistakes include hiring a contractor who does not check the wall before fixing, ignoring rainwater drainage from cornices and projections (which leaves black streaks), and comparing quotes by price per metre alone. Before signing, ask what the price includes: surface preparation, mortar, joint filling and final cleaning. Ask how corners, columns and projections are priced, how floors, windows and nearby equipment are protected, how breakage and colour variation are handled, whether there is a clear schedule with checkable stages, and how defects that appear later will be dealt with.
Frequently asked questions
What is the practical difference between Hashmi and Pharaonic stone?
They differ in colour, texture and density. Hashmi tends toward cream and light yellow shades with varying hardness, while Pharaonic is usually lighter with a smoother feel. View real samples before deciding.
Is stone suitable for seafront facades?
Yes, provided you choose a low-porosity type and execute the waterproofing and joints properly. Salt and moisture cause staining and flaking in weaker stones. Avoid ordinary metals in the fixings and use rust-resistant ones.
Can stone be installed on an old facade?
It can, after inspecting the surface. Removing deteriorated parts, repairing cracks and checking that the wall can carry the extra weight are essential, and a qualified engineer should make that decision.
