What a sample can—and cannot—prove
A small physical sample is excellent for reviewing color direction, tactile texture, surface relief and basic flexibility. It does not automatically prove exterior durability, fire performance, full-panel flatness, seam appearance, substrate compatibility or installed-system performance.
What to inspect on the physical sample
| Check | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Color direction | Warm/cool balance, undertone and relationship to adjacent materials. |
| Texture / relief | Depth, pore pattern, ridges, cleft or printed detail under raking light. |
| Surface sheen | How matte, satin or reflective areas behave under project lighting. |
| Flex behavior | How the exact sample behaves when gently formed—without assuming a project radius that has not been verified. |
| Edge / backing | Construction, thickness and how the edge may need to terminate. |
| Pattern scale | Whether the small sample represents the full sheet pattern fairly. |
Review the sample under the actual lighting direction
Directional lighting can dramatically change textured stone-look surfaces. A sample that looks flat under office light may reveal much stronger relief under grazing light. Review it vertically if it will be installed vertically, and use lighting conditions that resemble the project.
Approve a range, not one “perfect” piece
Where a finish has natural-looking variation, one sample may not represent the entire delivery. Ask whether the product has color, texture or pattern ranges and define what variation is acceptable.
When a sample should become a mock-up
Move beyond a hand sample when the project includes a critical curve, a large continuous wall, strong directional lighting, complex seams, exterior exposure or a high-value branded interior. A representative mock-up can combine the real substrate, adhesive, finish, seam and lighting.
- Curved column or tight-radius wall
- Feature wall with strong pattern direction
- Exterior or weather-exposed assembly
- High-profile hotel / retail / reception feature
- New installer or unfamiliar substrate
Keep a simple approval record
| Record | Example |
|---|---|
| Family / finish code | Exact Lithvanta family and style code. |
| Approved scope | Color + texture only / full mock-up / named junction. |
| Lighting | Daylight, warm LED, grazing light, etc. |
| Accepted variation | Range or reference pieces retained. |
| Not yet approved | Exterior performance, fire report, adhesive or other pending items. |
| Date / decision | Approved, rejected or held for revision. |
Lithvanta’s current sample workflow allows buyers to shortlist up to five finishes for initial review, with international courier cost paid by the buyer.
From sample approval to a comparable flexible stone RFQ
Once the finish shortlist is accepted, send each supplier the same project brief. A price per square metre is not directly comparable unless the product configuration, usable coverage, freight basis and installation scope are aligned. This procurement checklist is separate from the visual sample approval above.
| RFQ field | What the buyer should specify or request |
|---|---|
| Project and application | Country, building type, interior or exterior use, wall geometry, approximate area and planned installation date. |
| Identifiable finish | Exact Lithvanta family and finish reference, or an explicitly marked provisional shortlist. Never treat a photograph as a confirmed SKU. |
| Sheet configuration | Ask the supplier to confirm available sheet dimensions, nominal thickness, backing, usable coverage and tolerance for the selected finish. |
| Quantity basis | Separate net wall area from estimated ordering area. State whether openings, pattern matching, cuts, breakage and contingency are included. |
| Installation interfaces | Substrate, adhesive or fixing proposal, corners, joints, penetrations, edge trims and any curved-wall mock-up requirements. |
| Compliance evidence | List project-required fire, emissions, weather or other reports; request documents matching the exact product and intended assembly. Do not assume availability. |
| Commercial terms | Request price currency, quotation validity, MOQ, packaging, sample and tooling charges if any, production lead time and agreed Incoterm with named destination. |
| Delivery and acceptance | Confirm batch/finish consistency approach, inspection criteria, damage-claim procedure and who signs off the retained approval sample. |
Compare offers on the same basis
For example, a quote for 200 m² of net installed wall cannot be compared directly with 200 m² of purchased sheets. Request a sheet-count estimate based on confirmed usable dimensions and a clearly stated cutting/waste allowance. Keep adhesive, trims, freight, taxes and site installation separate unless each quote includes them on the same basis.
For an initial enquiry, send: project location + application + area + preferred finish + target date + substrate + any required reports. If a detail is unknown, label it “to be confirmed” instead of guessing. Browse the surface families, use the installation guide for interface questions, or request a project quotation after reviewing physical samples.
Frequently asked questions
How many flexible stone samples should I request?
Request enough to compare the most relevant finish directions without creating an unmanageable shortlist. Lithvanta currently allows up to five pieces for initial review.
Can a small sample approve the whole wall?
Not by itself. A small sample is useful for finish review; critical curves, seams, lighting and installed-system conditions may require a larger mock-up.
Should the approved sample be kept on site?
For important projects, retaining an approved reference sample or range can help compare later deliveries and installation quality.
Turn the guide into a material shortlist.
Browse Lithvanta surface families, request physical samples, or send the project geometry and finish direction for a quotation.
Sources & further reading
- Hagerstone — material samples and approvals
- Ask Architectural Studio — samples and mock-ups
- Lithvanta — request samples
Editorial note: Lithvanta uses AI-assisted research and drafting as part of its content workflow. Product facts are checked against current catalog data where available. Material-specific claims, test reports, exposure limits and installation systems should be confirmed for the exact family before specification. Read our editorial policy.