Now that you have chosen the type of stone cladding you desire, the next step is the installation process. Read through our step by step guide below that will explain exactly how to install stone cladding to your walls perfectly!

Careful and proper installation is extremely important for long-lasting beauty of the exterior of your home or business, so please follow these steps thoroughly.

Please note all materials should be stored in a dry and safe manner, and mortar should be covered at all times.

Tools and Materials Required

  • Hand Grinder
  • Hatchet
  • Nippers
  • Pointing Gun
  • Metal Stick
  • Brush
  • Masons Trowel
  • Hammer
  • Spirit Level
  • Wheel Barrow
  • Strike Tool
  • Tuck
  • Mortar Mixer

Health and Safety

You must wear the following personal protective equipment for health and safety reasons:

  • boots
  • Hi Vis
  • Hard Hat
  • Work Gloves
  • Goggles

Surface Preparation

Once you have your structurally sound wall surface in place, you can begin the surface preparation.

  • Apply two layers of water resistant barriers from the bottom up smoothly, ensuring upper layer laps lower at least four inches. The usual water resistant barriers are usually number 15 felt or grade d building paper.
  • Apply the corrosion resistant metal lath horizontally using galvenized fasteners, penetrating through the shieving and into the studs at least one inch. Be sure to to hit each stud every 6 inches on centre vertically.
  • Install lath with minimum one inch overlap. The surface should feel rough when you rub your hand upwards, allowing the mortar to catch when applying the motor scratch coat.

Installation/Application

Multiply height x width of the area that is to be covered, subtracting openings such as doors and windows. This is the total surface area for which you will need stone.

  • If you are measuring corner stones, you must measure the linear meterage of external corners to be covered including any doorways and windows that have corners.
Total Surface Area Calculator
Width:
Height:
Openings:

Total Surface Area:
  • The quantity of mortar required will be one bag per square metre of flat stone. Multiply the linear meterage of corners by 0.3 to give you additional bags required for corner stones.
Additional Bags Required For Corner Stones Calculator
Linear Meterage:

Additional Bags Required For Corner Stones:

Additional mortar may be required depending on stone type and quantity, speak to one of the team at Fernhill Stone for advice on this.

Grouting the Joints

  • After the stone has been applied to the surface, fill a grout bag with mortar and and fill in the joints. Ensure you cover all broken or cut edges with mortar.
  • Once the mortar joints become dry, you can use a wood or metal strike tool to push the mortar into any cavities or voids creating a seal around each stone.
  • Clean the edges with a tuck pointer; this is to prevent water or pests from settling in the spaces.

Finishing The Process and Cleaning

Brick wall2

Clean the wall with detergent and water using a bristle brush, then clean with fresh water.

Do Not!

  • Use acid or acid based products - this will damage the stone.
  • Use a wire brush - this will damage the stone face.
  • Use a high pressure power washer.
  • Let loose mortar dry overnight.
  • Use a wet brush - this may leave permanent staining.
  • Sandblast.
  • Use corner or flat stones in exterior horizontal planes or to cap walls in high freeze thaw areas.
  • Use stone below water level, i.e. swimming pools.
  • Use chlorine and other chemicals as they may discolour products and other masonry materials.