Aspect Stone Tile Frequently Asked Questions

We start with a 24- to 36-inch thick slab of natural quarried sedimentary stone. The exposed face is chiseled and cleaned so the remaining surface is smooth, level and the natural “pores” of the stone have been opened. A proprietary resin liquid is applied to the exposed face and soaks into the stone. After the resin has cured and dried, the application is repeated a number of times in combination with an application of a fiberglass mesh.

After the final cure period, the resin and fiberglass mesh form a secure bond with the stone. A skilled stone craftsman then fractures and peels a 1/16-inch thick layer away from the large slab, yielding a thin section of bonded real stone.

Using highly accurate automated saws, the layers are cut into various ledge stone sizes and the individual thin pieces are hand applied to a peel and stick foam adhesive. The ledge stone pattern is cut one last time to ensure it is accurate, level and square, to yield the all-natural 5.9-inch x 23.6-inch ledge stone panel.

The thin layer of the sedimentary stone, cured resin backer and peel and stick foam adhesive combined make a naturally beautiful, real stone product which is flexible yet can be cut with simple shears.

It depends on whether you intend to use the peel and stick adhesive on properly prepared wall surfaces or if you do not want to prepare your wall surface. We show both methods in detail in our Aspect Installation Guide.

If you are using installation Method 1, proper wall preparation is required. Aspect tiles can be installed over most structurally sound substrates if they are clean, flat, smooth, dry, and free of dust, wax, soap scum and grease. Acceptable substrates are drywall, plaster or clean, smooth tile (glazed, porcelain type tile; not porous or textured). Any damaged, loose or uneven areas must be repaired, patched, leveled and primed. Fill cracks and irregularities with wallboard compound or spackling, then sand smooth with fine grade sandpaper.

If installing Aspect over existing ceramic tile, be sure to thoroughly clean old tiles, but priming ceramic tiles is not required. Use isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol two-cloth cleaning method as surface preparation when applying tiles to a nonporous substrate, such as ceramic tile or metal. Failure to properly prepare the substrate may invalidate the warranty. The substrate to which you are applying Aspect tiles must be primed with a fresh coat of latex or oil-based primer. Ingredients in “paint & primer in one” products can cause adhesion failure; as such, be sure to use a stand-alone primer. If you do not intend to prepare the wall surface, you can use an additional adhesive as seen in our Installation Guide.

We recommend high-quality sealing primers, either latex or oil-based, like Zinsser^® or KILZ^®.

Standard humidity within the home and water exposure through cleaning (not saturation) is fine.

No, the adhesive is not engineered to be used in a wet environment such as a shower.

Apply construction adhesive to the tile if wall imperfections cause it to release.

While slightly more difficult, this can be accomplished by following the steps outlined in our uneven tile installation guide.

We recommend a product such as PL Premium^® construction adhesive.

Some causes include poor surface preparation, uneven texture or an unprimed surface prior to installation. Some paints contain releasing agents called surfactants which can also interfere with adhesion.

The joints with Aspect Stone tiles are tight so grout is not needed.

No. Aspect Peel and Stick backsplash tiles are manufactured for indoor use only.

No, raw stone is not an appropriate material for a wet environment.

Aspect tiles can withstand heat up to 140^°F without causing any damage to the product. We recommend a minimum 6-inch space between the heat source or burner and the installed tiles. You may also refer to your stove’s (or other heat source) manufacturer for specific information.

We recommend using tin snips. If using a power chop saw, a good carbide tooth blade is recommended. Cutting slowly into the panels will prevent chipping. Wear a mask or respirator to prevent stone dust irritation if using power tools. See Aspect Stone Tile Installation Guide for additional information.

It is stone and not intended to be bent. For inside and outside corners, cut the tile accordingly and abut them to each other.

Use soap and water for standard cleanup. If you need a more aggressive cleaner, use a stone cleaner available at any home center.

You can caulk exposed edges with a colored caulk similar to the color of your stone, or use a trim piece like wood to match your cabinets. We also offer Aspect Edge Trims for our metal tiles in five colors. Some of these look great with stone tiles.

No. Aspect Stone tile is intended for wall surfaces only.

With proper care it should last a lifetime.

No, it is durable stone. However, all stone can fracture, chip or scratch if struck with sharp or heavy objects.

To seal your tiles, use an impregnating sealer, like Miracle Sealants® 511 Impregnator. Follow the manufacturer’s directions. Topical, color-enhancing sealers, like Miracle Sealants® 1-Step Natural Stone Sealer and Color Enhancer can be used also. These deepen and darken the color of the stone, making it appear always wet, but also offer better protection than an impregnator. More details about sealers and impregnators and photos of each stone tile raw, with sealer and with impregnator are available here.

Starting in a corner and working left to right on your longest run produces the best results.

If a tile needs to be removed, apply heat with a hair dryer to soften the adhesive. Use a putty knife on the backside and slowly apply outward pressure to release the tile from the wall. The adhesive is engineered not to be removed so caution should be taken so as to not damage the wall. Any removed tiles may be unusable. ACP is not responsible or liable if you damage your walls. If the adhesive is destroyed but the tile face is fine, you can try using PL Premium^® adhesive to reapply the tile.

No, we do not recommend painting the stone tiles.

At this time, we do not offer matching outlet covers. There are three companies that manufacture stone-colored paint that may work for matching. These products are available from the manufacturer and most home centers.

• Rust-Oleum^® Stone Spray Paint
• Valspar^® Sandstone Spray Paint
• Krylon^® Make It Stone Spray Paint

No, not at this time.

ACP, the manufacturer of Aspect stone tiles, guarantees Aspect Stone tiles will be free from manufacturing defects for a period of five (5) years from the date of purchase. This warranty does not cover problems caused by improper installation methods. It covers only installations done in accordance with the installation and handling instructions contained within each box of tile. This warranty does not cover damage caused by improper maintenance or by use contrary to our recommendations. This warranty does not cover normal wear and tear or finish color changes due to exposure to smoke, fumes, leaks or abuse. This warranty is not transferable and applies to the original purchaser only.

Aspect stone is made from slate, quartzite and sandstone via a fracturing process from a quarried stone slab.

The adhesive on Aspect Stone tiles is engineered to aggressively stick to a properly prepared surface. Given the natural, non-uniform nature of real stone, some lifting of the tiles around edges is perfectly normal. The adhesive is not failing and ACP fully warranties that the product will not fall off of your wall.

To get corner or seam to lay down, PL Premium® adhesive can be carefully applied where there is a release (try a toothpick). Wipe off any adhesive from the tile surface before it dries. To hold down a corner or seam, try using a thumbtack in the seam until the adhesive sets.

Another method for getting an edge or corner to lay down is to use Loctite Super Glue® or similar product. Be careful not to get glue on the tile surface. Hold down seam or corner with your finger after glue application until the glue sets.

No. Any odor you notice is a byproduct of the adhesive on the back of the tile and will dissipate shortly, much like a freshly painted room. The tiles have passed California EPA VOC testing limits for architectural coatings.

Yes, you can use on the interior of your camper and we recommend using method 2 of our installation guide which states to use supplemental adhesive due to road vibrations and temperature swings.

You may see a warning on this product regarding California’s Proposition 65, the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986. It is intended to help Californians make informed decisions about protecting themselves from chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. The Proposition requires the state to maintain and update a list of chemicals known to the state to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity.

Proposition 65 is designed to inform consumers. This is not the same as a regulatory decision that a product is “safe” or “unsafe”. Our products emit no volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) and are in no way harmful if the product is used for its intended purpose. At Acoustic Ceiling Products, customer satisfaction is our number one priority and we will be happy to provide any additional information, technical specs or data you may need on any of our products.