The Shackerley group of companies has its origins in the ceramics industry and has long been renowned for its ceramic, granite, marble and stone tiling products. Today Shackerley is the UK's leading supplier of ceramic granite into the architectural and construction sectors and has become the country's principal authority on the use of this exceptionally versatile material as an exterior cladding material.

Ceramic granite is manufactured entirely from naturally occurring constituents - a blend of refined clays, quartz, feldspars and metal oxides, dry pressed into slabs at high pressures, then fired until irreversibly fused. Available in an extensive range of colours, sizes and finishes, Shackerley's ceramic granite slabs can be manufactured to resemble almost any type of naturally quarried stone and provide the specifier with an exceptional range of contemporary aesthetic options.

Completely free from fissures, flaws and other weak points which reduce the strength and versatility of quarried stone in its original state, ceramic granite is an ideal exterior cladding material. Its inherent strength and consistency mean that slabs of just 12mm thick will offer exceptional building protection. Compared with naturally quarried stone, the loadings on the substructure and building exterior are dramatically reduced.

Ceramic granite slabs conform to all international standards for water absorption and freeze/thaw resistance. With virtually zero porosity (class B1A) they will not support algae growth or absorb dust or airborne contamination. They are also impervious to acid and alkalines, even when concentrated (excluding hydrofluoric acid and derivatives).

Completely impermeable and resistant to UV light and radiation, and with intrinsic grains, veins and colours that run all the way through each slab, the appearance of the ceramic granite cladding panels will not change over time.

Used in conjunction with Kingspan's Wall Framing Systems, this new generation of cladding materials provides an attractive, longlasting and cost effective method of protecting and improving the appearance of the building envelope.