How to Install Cultured Stone on a Fireplace
How To Install Cultured Stone Veneers
Cultured stone & manufactured stone installation instructions and design considerations.
Cultured stones or also called manufactured stone veneers are an excellent house siding option.
Recent technological advances in the construction industry have produced many innovative materials. These new materials offer more benefits to contractors and home owners alike. Benefits, such as ease of use, extended durability, more design possibilities coupled with cost saving potentials.
One of these revolutionary construction materials is manufactured stone.
Manufactured stones are the close replicate of many natural stone types that can be found in stone quarries around the country. Manufactured stones are man-made stones that are made of concrete and special additives and colored to look like natural stones.
If you wish to learn more about manufactured stones and the different companies click here
Cultured Stone installation.
This page is intended for homeowners or contractors who wish to tackle a DIY manufactured stone installation project.
Here I will outline the necessary steps and crucial points that are needed for a long lasting cultured stone installation. On this page you will find links to detailed articles, helpful videos and installation instructions of many different types of manufactured stones. There are many companies that produce large variety of stones in a wide array of colors. Manufactured stone veneers ranging from stacked stones, ledge stones, fieldstones to the more contemporary look of profit stacked stone veneers.
I mention this simply because installation methods are slightly varied depending on the type of stones installed and the materials of the wall surface you wish to install the stones onto.
How to install cultured stones.
Manufactured stones are fairly easy to install. However, there are some crucial things that need to be done in order to complete a proper installation.
Let's start with the most important, the setting material. There are different methods of making or mixing your setting material for manufactured stones. For convenience there are pre-mixed mortar specifically designed to adhere manufactured stones on wall surfaces. These so called veneer stone mortars are a blend of Portland cement, type S mortar, hydrated lime and masonry sand. These pre-blended mortars can be purchased in most hardware stores. It allows you to complete your installation without the hassle of measuring and adding other ingredients to the regular mortar mix.
How to install cultured stones.
However, you can expect to shell out a little more money for these veneer stone mortars than that of the regular M type mortars. I would recommend the usage of this type of mortar for stone installation jobs under a 100 sft.
The other option is mixing your own mortar mix. You can purchase the regular M type mortar mix and add an extra mason trowel of Portland cement to each bag of mix. If you still concerned about proper bonding you can get a gallon of white latex additive (can be purchased in any home Depot) and put about 2 Oz to each bag mixed with Portland cement. This surely will provide you with more than adequate bond.
The third option is recommended only for large quantities of stone installations. The ingredients are mason sand, masonry cement, and latex additive (optional) mixed in a 3-1 ratio. Some stone contractors mix thin set to the mortar mix to get the desired sticky consistency.
The consistency is a very important factor. It not only speeds up installation time but provides the proper adhesion to the wall. Don't mix your mortar too dry. The stones will pop off. Mix the mortar in a peanut butter consistency. To test your mortar, "butter" the back of the stone and turn it upside down. If the mortar still stick to the stone the mix is good.
Back to the cultured stone installation.
There are two types of surfaces you can "glue" your manufactured stones to. One is solid masonry walls such as brick or concrete. In this case the installation is simple. Please note that the surface of the wall should be completely dust and oil free. For extra precaution you can apply blue bonding agent on the wall.
Or you can use the old-school method of applying Portland cement powder mixed with clean water until it is the consistency of thin soup. This cement "soup" should be either brushed or sprayed onto the wall. On solid masonry walls usually a slightly damp surface is adequate when the stucco mix is applied. If the stones are too dry, wet them so they won't suck too much water from the stucco mix too quickly.
Installing manufactured stones on drywalls or framed walls.
Installing manufactured stones on drywalls, wallboards, plywood or concrete boards require a few extra steps.
On plywood interior or exterior walls you have to install some type of water-resistive barrier and a galvanized wire lath. You can purchase wire lath with the flashing adhered on it in Home Depot.
Attaching wire lath and flashing is easy. Simply fasten the lath with galvanized nails, staples or drywall screws. It is important to lap joints minimum 6″ vertically and minimum 2″ at horizontal joints.
The next step is applying a half an inch scratch-coat of mortar. After the mortar dried you can begin installing the manufactured stones.
Quick note to fellow DIY's in the Northern region: Culture Stone Installations should be protected from temperatures below 40°F as mortar will not cure properly under such conditions.
Another tip to ensure the best bond to the wall is to wet the stones and apply thin-set mortar both on the back of the cultured stone and on the area it will be installed. This will ensure that the cultured stone will adhere to the wall properly and actually stay there for years to come.
Manufactured stones come in boxes. Each box contains a set amount of stones warring in sizes and colors. First lay out your stones close to the installation area. This will enable you to oversee the availability of the stones and give variety and contrast in the overall design. Butter the stone with a thin layer of mortar and press it on the back of the stone hard enough with your trowel. Put more mortar and cut the excess off. Apply pressure to the stone while installing it onto the wall to ensure a good bond. This is Important!
If you work on an area that needs corner stones, apply corners alternating long and short sides in the opposite directions. Don't install a tiny stone on the bottom. It will create a bad appearance. Start with a wider, bulkier corner stone on the bottom and work your way up. This will create a visual appearance of a base stone on the bottom. Otherwise the stones will look like the wall is about to buckle. Alternate your stones in shapes, styles and color as much as possible.
Earlier I mentioned that there are slight differences in the installation technique, depending on stone type installed.
For example with stacked stones, ledge stones, and stones that has horizontal joints (shown in picture above) it is important to keep the horizontal joints level as much as possible. It is advisable to mark horizontal guidelines in every two three feet to keep your stones in level. You can do this with a level or with a chalk-line. With ledgestone types, keep joints as small as possible. It is a dry stack installation so strike joints deeply but be careful not to expose the back edge of stones or the blue bonding agent on the wall. It is better to leave some mortar between the stones than being able to see the cement backer board or the blue bonding behind the stones.
If you wish to read a detailed article about the installation of ledge stone veneers click here.
And lastly the most complicated installation is River Rock, Stream Stone, field stone or any irregularly shaped rock types. This is where you need to use your creativity. Carefully select the position of the stones to minimize trimming and cutting to maintain the natural look of the rounded shapes. Also watch out for color selection for better overall appearance. Installing manufactured stones is fairly easy and fun to do. If you keep these simple but important considerations the end result will be long lasting and beautiful for the admiration of your friends and the envy of your mother in law. If you wish to learn detailed instructions on the particular types of manufactured stones or different wall surfaces check out our learning center.
Not a DIY? Don't feel to install cultured stones on your own? Fear not, if your project is located in our Florida service area just send us an email and we will give you a free price quote on any sized job.
Read on to find out how our Miami cultured stone installers can help you save money on your next cultured stone project↓
If you are in search of a talented and affordable cultured stone installer or someone who can help you in your cultured stone installation project, we at Miamistoneinstallers are trained to assist you in installing any types of manufactured stones for your home or business. We will provide you with the quality you expect on a reasonable price. We will complete the work in the shortest time possible. You will know the whole upfront cost before we start the job. No surprises later!
How to Install Cultured Stone on a Fireplace
Source: https://www.mortonstones.com/2016/05/cultured-stone-installation/
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