NCP Industries ADORN Stone Granite Series Colorado Gray: Carbon-Absorbing Veneer That Installs Without Mortar

NCP Industries’ ADORN Stone Granite Series Colorado Gray is a manufactured concrete veneer that weighs 18 lbs per square foot and installs with screws instead of mortar. The CaptureCrete technology built into the concrete actively absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere, making it carbon-negative over its lifespan.

For Montana contractors tired of fighting mortar cure times in cold weather, this changes the game. The mechanical fastening system eliminates mortar, clips, and starter strips entirely. You can install this stuff when it’s 20 degrees outside and your mortar would be frozen solid.

Installation Speed Makes the Difference

The panels measure 6” × 23.5” × 1.75” thick. Each box of flats covers 3 square feet with 3 panels and weighs about 54-55 lbs. Corner boxes run 40-45 lbs and cover 2 linear feet.

Here’s what matters: You secure each panel with a minimum of 3 fasteners, making sure at least one hits a stud. No mixing mortar. No waiting for it to set. No cleaning tools. No waste. The installation requires standard construction screws (#8 × 1.5” or 1.75” coated exterior screws for wood/OSB, or Tapcon-style screws for concrete and masonry).

Customer feedback consistently praises the “plug and play” nature and ease of DIY installation. One reviewer stated: “The screw-on installation is so easy and the stone looks really good. Very pleased with this product. Would use this again.”

The substrate requirements are straightforward. You need 7/16-inch or greater OSB or plywood sheathing attached to wood or metal studs, though it also works on concrete and masonry. Exterior applications require two layers of code-approved weather-resistive barrier.

Installation Requirements	Details
Substrate	7/16” minimum OSB/plywood, concrete, or masonry
Weather Barrier	2 layers WRB for exterior use
Fasteners per Panel	Minimum 3 (at least 1 into stud)
Wood/OSB Fasteners	#8 × 1.5” or 1.75” coated exterior screws
Concrete Fasteners	Tapcon-style concrete screws

Weight Advantages Change the Math

At 18 lbs per square foot, this veneer weighs significantly less than natural stone’s typical 30-50 lbs per square foot. That’s not just easier on your back — it changes your structural requirements. The 30-foot height limit for standard residential and commercial applications means you can go tall without additional engineering.

Think about what that means for a 20×30 foot wall. Natural stone at 40 lbs/sq ft puts 24,000 lbs on your structure. This product at 18 lbs/sq ft adds 10,800 lbs. That’s 13,200 lbs less load. Your footings don’t need to be as beefy. Your framing doesn’t need extra reinforcement. The math works in your favor from foundation to fascia.

Compatible accessories include matching gray or alder sills, wainscot caps, outlet boxes, light boxes, pillar stones and caps, plus post stones for 6×6 posts. The compatibility extends across wood framing (with proper sheathing), metal studs, concrete, masonry, stucco (if sheathing is present), and even foam insulation board when you fasten through to studs.

The CO2 Technology Actually Works

CaptureCrete is NCP’s proprietary CO2-absorbing concrete technology. This isn’t greenwashing nonsense. The concrete actively captures and permanently stores CO2. Each square foot captures 1.5 lbs of CO2.

Here’s why it matters in Montana: The product is made with recycled content and qualifies for LEED points. It carries a Class A fire rating (ASTM E84). For projects chasing sustainability credits or fire-resistant construction in WUI zones, you get both in one product.

Certifications & Ratings	Value
Fire Rating	Class A (ASTM E84)
CO2 Capture	1.5 lbs per sq ft
Recycled Content	Yes
LEED Eligible	Yes
Warranty	Limited Lifetime (original purchaser)

The warranty covers defects in material and workmanship for the original purchaser, non-transferable, when installed according to specifications.

The durability claims stack up too. The product resists impact, weather, wind, moisture, rot, and insects. In Montana’s freeze-thaw climate, moisture resistance matters more than anything else. Water gets in, freezes, expands, and blows your siding apart. This manufactured concrete formula is engineered to handle it.

FAQ

Can this veneer be installed when it’s below freezing? Yes. Unlike traditional mortar systems that require warm temperatures to cure properly, this mechanical fastening system works in cold weather. You attach panels with screws — no mortar, no temperature restrictions beyond what’s safe to work in.

What tools are needed for installation? Required tools include a cordless drill or power screwdriver, level, measuring tape, chalk line, cutting tool (circular saw or chop saw with diamond/masonry blade), plus safety gear (safety glasses, dust mask, earplugs). Standard jobsite equipment.

How does the weight compare to other veneer options? At 18 lbs per square foot, it’s lighter than natural stone (30-50 lbs/sq ft) but heavier than most vinyl or composite sidings. The manufactured concrete provides genuine impact resistance and weather resistance that lighter materials can’t match.

What’s the actual coverage per box? Flat panels come 3 per box covering 3 square feet total. Corner panels provide 2 linear feet of coverage per box. Plan your quantities accordingly — this isn’t sold by the square like some veneers.

Is this suitable for high-wind areas? Yes, the product is rated as wind resistant. The mechanical fastening system with minimum 3 fasteners per panel (at least one into a stud) provides solid attachment. Follow the manufacturer’s fastening pattern for your specific wind zone.