2026 marks a significant milestone for Arriscraft thin stone: 20-years of successful installations and product evolution. We’re celebrating this anniversary by sharing a progression timeline, project profiles, and future insights into what’s around the corner. Our calcium silicate product – made with only natural materials – stands alone in the market, delivering the same strength, performance, and aesthetic benefits of quarried stone. The technical advantages – energy efficiency, fire and storm protection, and lifetime performance, coupled with unparalleled design versatility – is a significant opportunity for the design community and its clients.
We arrive at this milestone through our dogged commitment to doing things the right way. And, over two decades, we’ve thoughtfully expanded our installation types and product lines to provide world-class thin masonry solutions.
OUR THIN STONE APPROACH
The Right Stuff: Calcium Silicate Stone
Sometimes it’s a challenge to be in a category of your own – especially in terms of classification. Where does a manufactured stone that has only natural properties fall? The simple and most important answer is that we offer the best of both worlds – the tight tolerances, easier installation, and unlimited supply of a manufactured stone, plus the performance benefits of a natural stone.
The Right Way: Batting 1000% in Installation
Decades before polymer-fortified mortar became the standard, we insisted on its use. Our first thin-adhered projects in California (in 2004 and 2005) used it. Our early recommendations of polymer-fortified mortars over 1/2″ concrete board has always been our standard and now the ANSI 118.4 code has caught up. Simply stated, our ‘code’ was 20 years ahead of its time.
Today, the proof is in the pudding. You will learn more about our large-scale ARRIS-tile projects from 2005 – 2007 that are in pristine condition today, with some in four-season climates.
The Right Solutions: New Systems for Installation Flexibility
To broaden our applications, we quickly introduced a ‘clip’ or ‘channel’ system – ARRIS-clip – that allowed designers to take stone virtually anywhere on a facade. You’ll see creative executions of ARRIS-clip in the projects we share. We also partnered with T-Clear Corporation, in 2017, to become the exclusive distributors of their ProGuard DP® insulated concrete board. We offer several thin stone applications with this remarkable product that meet current energy efficiency code requirements that greatly reduce installation time by combining multiple steps.
The Right Selection: Multiple Styles, Finishes & Colours, plus Customization
With more than 20 years under our belt, in regions from California to the shores of Lake Erie, our system is proven. And with a profusion of choice, there’s no compromise on your creative vision.
Renaissance ARRIS-tile & ARRIS-clip – our original thin stone series that co-ordinates with full-bed Renaissance
Stack, Midtown and Coastal – thin-adhered building stone in ledgestone and modern styles
Thin Adair – our natural limestone (quarried in Ontario) cut thin, including large clip panels
Elevation Thin Brick – linear brick and Norman size
We offer generous colour and finish ranges, across product lines, with custom options available. As a manufactured stone, we have great flexibility to create colours and blends.
PROJECT PROGRESSION
Modest Beginnings
Our first two projects involved cutting full-bed Renaissance® thin: National City Library and National City Fire Department Station 34, in National City, California. Both projects were completed in 2005 and are in excellent condition.
Catalyst Projects
Through 2005 – 2007, we worked on several large projects that truly put our thin stone solutions on the map. Christus Health, Southeast Texas (St. Elizabeth hospital) by HOK was completed in 2007 and our thin stone withstood Hurricane Ike the following year. Our first of three large projects with Virtua Health in New Jersey was also completed in this early time frame.
Expansion Projects
On the heels of our early success and with dedicated manufacturing added at our Georgia plant, our project volume expanded quickly. From new, high-rise developments like Mirabella in Portland Oregon to incredible renovations at University of Toledo, our applications blossomed.
Future Projects
In current and future projects, customization plays a significant role. One of our newest projects, Elevation Thin Brick, will be installed on steel stud pre-panelized assemblies for a large-scale project for the Medical University of South Carolina.