A glowing onyx wall behind a hotel reception or a luminous bar front is one of the most memorable details in hospitality design. Natural onyx can deliver that look, but it is heavy, fragile, expensive and varies from slab to slab. Translucent stone panels – cast resin sheets that reproduce onyx, jade and marble – have become the practical alternative. This guide covers how they work, how to design the lighting, and how to specify them.
What is a translucent stone panel?
Our translucent stone panels are cast from polymer resin with aluminium hydroxide, with veins and colour built into the body of the sheet. Standard sheets are 2440 × 1220 mm in 5, 8 or 10 mm thickness, in glossy or matte finish. Unlit, they read as polished stone; lit from behind, the veining glows.
Translucent resin panel vs natural onyx
| Factor | Translucent resin panel | Natural onyx |
|---|---|---|
| Sheet size | 2440 × 1220 mm standard | Limited by slab size |
| Weight | Light – easy to hang on walls and ceilings | Heavy – needs strong support |
| Fragility | Impact-tolerant, low breakage in transit | Brittle; cracks and chips easily |
| Consistency | Repeatable colour and pattern | Every slab differs |
| Fabrication | Cut, routed and thermoformed for curves | Requires stone workshop |
| Light transmission | Even, designed for backlighting | Varies with thickness and veins |
Designing the lighting
The lighting build-up matters as much as the panel. A typical backlit wall uses:
- Back surface: a white or reflective backing board to bounce light forward.
- Light source: an LED light sheet, or LED strips laid in parallel rows. Closer spacing means a more even glow.
- Air gap: roughly 30–80 mm between LEDs and panel helps avoid visible hot spots; a thinner gap needs denser LEDs.
- Panel: mounted on a frame or bonded to a clear acrylic carrier, with access for LED maintenance.
Warm white (around 3000 K) brings out honey and amber tones; neutral white (around 4000 K) suits white jade and marble patterns. RGB or tunable LEDs allow colour changes for bars and clubs.
Popular applications
- Hotel and office reception desks
- Bar fronts and back-bar walls
- Feature walls in lobbies, lifts and corridors
- Light boxes, columns and luminous ceilings
- Bathroom vanities and spa walls
Specifying translucent panels: checklist
- Choose the pattern from physical samples viewed with your actual lighting.
- Confirm thickness: 5 mm for wall cladding and light boxes, 8–10 mm for counters and areas exposed to impact.
- Agree on finish – glossy for reflective luxury, matte to reduce glare.
- Plan joint positions so veining flows across sheets; ask for sequence numbering.
- Check fire requirements for your application and ask for available test data.
Combining with other translucent materials
For screens, sliding doors and lamp shades, lighter materials such as PVC washi film, PET camphor washi or semi-sheer gauze give a softer, paper-like glow. Many projects combine a translucent stone feature wall with washi screens in the same space – and all of them can ship together in one container.
FAQ
Can translucent stone panels be used outdoors?
They are designed mainly for interiors. For exterior or high-UV locations, discuss the application with us before ordering.
Can the panels be curved?
Yes, resin panels can be thermoformed into gentle curves for columns and curved counters; tell us the radius required.
Planning a backlit feature? Send us the wall or counter size and we will suggest patterns, thickness and the lighting build-up, with FOB prices within 24 hours.