Another way in which stone is installed onto a building is by installing panels. Several individual stone veneer pieces are attached to a framing panel that can be transported to the jobsite in groups and erected directly to the structural face of the building. A panel system can shorten the on-site time needed to install the stone veneer. Below are the panel systems that Columbia Stone currently offers:

Metal Stud panel system
Metal Stud panel systems are designed to achieve a lightweight panelized approach for the stone veneer application Panel stud support framing can, as an option, be covered on the face side with a vapor/moisture barrier product, and or optionally, can integrally sealed between panels to form a second line of defense against moisture developing within the panel airspace.

Structural Steel panel system
This stone support system uses the strength of structural steel support components in a truss configuration to span distances between building structural columns. The stone is attached back to the truss using continuous aluminum extrusion kerf system bolted back to plates located on the truss members.

Precast concrete panel system
A precast concrete panels system entails the stone being laid down, face first, in the concrete panel form mold. A special precast stainless steel spring anchor is installed into the back of each stone veneer piece. A foam spacer filler is placed at the stone joints to keep the face of the concrete flush with the back of the stone. Concrete is then poured into the form, when the foam is removed after the concrete panel has cured, the joint is then caulked or grouted.

Cygnus panel system licensee
Columbia Stone is one of only a few contractors on the West Coast that is licensed to assemble Cygnus™ panels. Unlike other types of stone panels, the Cygnus™ system includes the use of metal decking over the metal stud frame as the substrate to attach the stone to. The primary means of attachment is via silicone spots between the metal deck substrate and the selected stone. With heavier stone applications an additional metal clip is included to carry the dead load of the stone. The primary advantage of this system is that it allows for thinner stone materials to be used and still be supported in a panel configuration.

Terra cotta panel system
The use of extruded Terra Cotta panels has become increasingly popular with architects and designers as more suppliers of extruded materials have come on line. The design utilizes a grid system that is attached to a buildings substrate and upon completed assembly provides the support system for the terra cotta. The system includes both metal and aluminum parts and does require accurate layout to install the complete system. Some of the distinct advantages of this type of system is the ease with which panels can be replaced, color selection and the size of the panels. The terra cotta system uses rainscreen principles, which saves on joint sealant and allows air to flow freely in the cavity between the terra cotta product and the waterproofed back-up wall.