Shipping Stone Veneer

Manufactured stone veneer is a durable and versatile building material but getting it from the manufacturer to the job site is not always straightforward. Due to its weight, fragility, and bulkiness, shipping manufactured stone veneer can be costly. The key to a successful delivery lies in careful packaging, proper shipping methods, and damage prevention strategies.

Why shipping stone veneer can be expensive

Several factors contribute to the cost of shipping manufactured stone veneer:

1. Weight and bulk: stone veneer, although lighter than natural stone, is still heavy, with shipments often weighing hundreds or even thousands of pounds. Heavier shipments require specialized freight services, increasing costs.

2. Fragility: while manufactured stone is durable when installed, it can be vulnerable to chipping or breaking during transit. Extra packaging and handling precautions can drive up expenses.

3. Palletization and crating: to prevent damage, stone veneer is typically packed onto pallets, wrapped securely, and sometimes even crated. These additional materials add weight and cost.

4. LTL freight shipping requirements: stone veneer is shipped via LTL (less-than-truckload) freight due to its size and weight, which comes with its own set of challenges and costs including equipment to safely deliver the stone veneer.

Understanding LTL shipping for stone veneer

LTL shipping is a freight transport method used when shipments do not fill an entire truck. Instead, multiple smaller shipments share space in a single truck. While LTL is more cost-effective than hiring a full truckload for a single order, it does have limitations:

1. Frequent transfers: LTL shipments are typically transferred multiple times at distribution hubs before reaching their final destination. Each transfer increases the risk of damage.

2. Longer delivery times: because LTL shipments are consolidated with others, delivery routes may be indirect, potentially leading to longer transit times.

3. Limited handling control: unlike dedicated truckload shipping, LTL shipments are handled by multiple carriers and logistics partners, increasing the chances of rough handling.

LTL shipping compared to parcel shipping

LTL shipping and parcel shipping serve different purposes based on shipment size and logistics needs. Parcel shipping is designed for smaller, lightweight packages typically under 150lbs (like your most recent Amazon or Walmart order) and are handled by carriers like FedEx, UPS, or USPS. No special equipment is necessary to delivery items shipped via parcel shipping. Parcel shipments move through a network of distribution centers, often involving multiple transfers before reaching their destination. Unfortunately, manufactured stone veneer cannot ship safely or efficiently using parcel shipping.

Preventing damage during shipping

To ensure a safe delivery, manufacturers and suppliers take several measures:

1. Secure packaging: pallets are tightly shrink-wrapped, and additional padding is often used to minimize movement during transit.

2. Edge and corner protection: foam, cardboard, or wood reinforcements protect vulnerable edges and corners from impact damage.

3. Proper labeling: clear labels indicating “fragile” or “this side up” help ensure careful handling by freight carriers.

4. Reliable freight carriers: partnering with experienced LTL freight providers that specialize in handling heavy, fragile materials reduces the likelihood of mishandling.

5. Inspection upon arrival: it’s essential for recipients to inspect the shipment immediately upon delivery and report any damages to the carrier.

Mountain View Stone shipping

All shipments are shipped LTL. All residential deliveries are curbside only. LTL trucks will not back into driveways. The delivery truck will have a liftgate and pallet jack to unload your order (curbside only), no loading dock required, but it is a lot easier to unload and move around with a forklift if available on site. 

In order to deliver our product safely and securely a delivery appointment is required. The shipping company will contact you via phone and/or email (the phone number and email address used to complete your purchase on our website) to schedule a delivery appointment.

Mountain View Stone is not responsible for damage caused during shipping. Please inspect your order during delivery. In order to file a freight claim with the shipping company any and all damage will need to be noted at the time of delivery. If damage is not noted at the time of delivery your damage claim will be denied. Any additional compensation for damaged shipments is between you and the shipping company. The good news is most damaged materials are still usable and can be trimmed and installed. Please contact us if you have questions about how to trim damaged stone veneer and brick veneer.

Please see our full shipping policy.

Shipping stone veneer

While the cost of shipping manufactured stone veneer can be significant, it is a necessary investment to ensure the product arrives undamaged and ready for installation. Understanding the logistics of LTL shipping and implementing proper damage prevention strategies can help minimize risks and maintain the quality of the product from manufacturer to project site. By working with reliable freight carriers and using careful packaging techniques, businesses and contractors can ensure a smooth and secure delivery process.

What's next?

Bring your vision to life with our high-quality stone veneer! Shop now to explore our selection or order a sample to see the craftsmanship up close. Get started today!

Have a question?

Please see our full terms of service.

For general information and questions please call: (864) 882-8960 Mon. - Fri. 8am - 5pm (EST) or email: info@mountainviewstone.net we are more than happy to help you.

Or you can submit your questions via our contact us page.

We look forward to working with you on your upcoming project.

The Mountain View Stone Team