Weekend DIY: Stone Veneer Installation

31 Aug, 2020

Stone veneer siding is great for cladding façades or adding great finishes to feature walls. More homes are utilizing stone veneer panels for exterior walls and even decorative stone walls inside the home. One of the advantages of stone veneers is the ease of installing. Why not make stone veneers your next weekend DIY project? You only need a few basic tools, and the average person can add gorgeous upgrades to the home.

 

And to assist with the process, Erth Coverings has a comprehensive tutorial that demonstrates how to install natural stone panels for a decorative stone wall. The video shows the technique to use when layering mortar, the supplies needed and a few added tips. 

 

 

Before you begin the project, it is important to ensure all surfaces to be faced are clean, free of any loose material and dust. Use a rag to wipe down the surfaces and let dry before the next step. Erth Coverings has a variety of stone panels to choose from including mountain and dry stack ledgestone, or pebbles, strips and panels. All provide a unique feel to a surface. Most of them work well for both indoor and outdoor spaces. To ensure a successful stone veneer installation, you should take time to assess the surface you intend to cover and consider the variety of panels to make certain you are getting the natural look to achieve.

 

Also, ensure the surfaces are structurally sound and comply with local building codes. 

 

The mortar recommended for stone veneer installation is the Caambon Magna Flex uber 80/20 or Mapei Ultra Flex RS. Once you have mixed the mortar you are ready for the first phase of the project. 

 

The first step is to apply the mortar to the surface. Apply the mortar to a trowel, then butter the back of the stone veneer sidings with mortar as well. Gently apply mortar to the intended surface. Make sure the mortar is smooth and even, then press the stone veneer panels firmly onto the surface.    

 

When wrapping the edges of the surface, use the Erth Coverings corner piece, as they have a dedicated notch on either side to create a ninety-degree corner with a natural edge. 

 

As you continue to add the stone veneer panels, be sure to double-check for full adhesion by firmly pressing the pieces into the surface. While installing, ensure all mortar is removed from the face and edges of the stone prior to installing the adjacent piece. By regularly removing excess mortar, you will confirm the stone veneer sidings are installed as tight as possible and eliminate unsightly gaps. 

 

Vertical joints should be randomly staggered to disguise the seams. When needed you can use a wet saw to cut pieces into the unique size to meet your unique feel. However,  avoid using permanent marker to indicate cutting lines, as it cannot be removed. If a guiding line needs to be used for cut, then us a pencil. 

 

After you've created your decorative stone wall, you should avoid the hammering of the wall or any vibration to protect the adhesion process for 24 hours. Also, avoid leaning anything onto the wall so that the stone veneer installation has time to dry.  

Erth Coverings recommends the use of high-quality natural stone sealers on all applications susceptible to staining, in order to protect the stone and allow for easy cleaning for the stone veneer panels.   

A great tip is to use a test sample first to determine the desired look. Erth Coverings makes it possible for you to do it yourself with a great selection of natural stone mortars, cleaners and sealers available for your home project.

To find the right materials and the colours that meet your preferences and suit your needs, look no further than Erth coverings veneers. Browse our Veneer Stone Wall