1. KINDS OF APPLICATIONS
2. VAPOR BARRIER
3. METAL LATH
4. MORTAR
5. SCRATCH COAT APPLICATION
6. STONE LAYOUT
7. APPLICATION OF THE STONE
8. GROUTING
9. STRIKING THE JOINTS
10. BRUSHING
11. SEALERS
12. CLEANING THE STONE
13. SILL APPLICATION
14. HEARTHSTONE APPLICATION
15. WARRANTY INFO
16. STONE & BOX DIMENSIONS (approximate)
1. KINDS OF APPLICATIONS
What can I put stone veneer on for an exterior application?
Existing Concrete (Unpainted and Unsealed), 1/2" (and thicker) Exterior grade Plywood, ICF (insulated concrete forms), Densglass, insulated foam (see below)
What can I put stone veneer on for an interior application?
Dura Rock-Cement Board, Drywall, OSB, and all of the above.
Can I put stone veneer on my basement walls?
As long as surface is Unpainted & Unsealed
Must be clean, no lath needed
You can use a bonding agent in the mortar mix or paint on Liquid Bonding Agent
Check with local building code, stone should not be applied closer than 4” from grade.
How do I apply veneer to Dura Rock (cement board)
Interior Only – we still suggest using metal lath & tarpaper. The metal lath will prevent the weight of the stone from pulling the nails through the cement board, and the tarpaper will act as a bond breaker.
How do I apply stone veneer to Drywall?
Must use vapor barrier & metal lath with this application
Vapor barrier acts as a bond-breaker, allowing movement in the wall to happen without cracking the stones.
Mortar will crack along seams if you don’t overlap the horizontal seams at least 2 inches and vertical seams 4 inches.
Can I apply stone veneer to OSB?
OSB is NOT recommended for exterior applications – moisture can be trapped in and it can shrink and swell, it is not as stable as exterior grade plywood. OSB is fine for interior applications.
How do I apply veneer to ICF (Insulated Concrete Forms)?
Our product can be installed over ICF's very easily. The installation process is similar to that for standard applications; you will still need to apply a vapor barrier and the metal lath.
We recommend using stainless or galvanized self tapping screws with fender washers to attach the metal lath to the plastic strips molded into the forms.
You will have to be careful when applying the lath; you don't want to have many bumps or wrinkles, as there isn't much to attach to between the plastic strips.
Contact the manufacturer of your ICF’s to confirm that the product is designed to be used with an adhered masonry veneer.
How do I apply veneer to Densglass?
We recommend using the same technique as with any other exterior application, including using metal lath & tarpaper. The fasteners must penetrate the studs a minimum of one inch.
Make sure the lath is installed without any bulges.
How do I apply stone veneer to a building/foundation with sheet foam insulation?
If the foam is less than one inch thick, apply the vapor barrier and lath in the normal manner, penetrating the studs with the fasteners at least one inch.
If the foam is more than one inch thick, cut strips out of the foam and fasten furring strips to the studs every sixteen inches –no plywood is needed just a vapor & lath.
2. VAPOR BARRIER
Do I need to have a vapor barrier?
Unless being applied to a bare masonry wall, yes a vapor barrier will need to be used.
Can I use TYVEK as a vapor barrier?
No, Tyvek is a wind barrier not a vapor barrier.
What weight of tar paper should I use?
Check local building codes to ensure you are applying the proper weight; we recommend two layers of 15# saturated felt.
How do I install the tar paper?
Install from the bottom up horizontally - make sure upper layer overlaps lower layer at least 4 inches.
We recommend using Kraft D-Paper, it is already double rolled.
3. METAL LATH
What size metal lath should I use?
2.5 pound galvanized metal lath is recommended.
What surface do I need metal lath on?
Tyvek must use lath
Durarock must use lath
Painted Surface must use lath
Dry Wall must use lath – interior only
OSB (exterior) must use ½” exterior grade plywood, tar paper, & lath
How should the lath be applied?
The lath should be applied horizontally; Surface should be rough as you rub your hand upward. This will make the lath angle down against the wall forming little cups that will help in catching the mortar for the scratch coat.
There should be NO bubbles or bounce in the lath –
Don’t try to nail down bumps or bubbles once you have started putting up stone!
(If there are any, and you have started putting up stone, they can be fixed with screws and fender washers).
What size nails do I use?
Coated roofing nails or screws will suffice, 1 ¾” nails for the studs (penetrate stud 1 inch & plywood ¾”) every 6” vertically, ½” to ¾”penetration in between studs (Don’t perforate the wall cavity).
Overlap the lath 4” at all seams - wrap all corners 16” or attach to stud. When corners are wrapped it is important to nail into the corner stud from both sides. This is where the most stress will develop. If you don’t wrap the corners with lath, you will have cracks next spring!
What if I’m applying it to a concrete wall that has been sealed or painted?
To attach to a block wall a Ram Set Gun can be used, shooting into the web (solid part); toggle bolts can be used in hollow-core panels.
4. MORTAR
How much mortar should I mix?
Mix only enough mortar to use within 1 hour.
How much water should I add?
You want a pancake batter consistency. Add only enough water so that the trowel leaves a track. Don’t mix all of a bag at once, this way you can modify your mix by adding more material if it is too wet.
Put some mortar on your trowel and bounce the trowel, turn the trowel over and the mortar should stick. If it falls off in a big clump, the mix is too dry, if it runs off the mix is too wet.
Can I Drystack the stone?
Not recommended for exterior use, ¼” grout joint is the smallest recommended.
If you drystack order an additional 15-20% on your stone order (Interior only).
What type of mortar do I need?
Type N - best in flex, strength and adhesion.
Check with local building codes to make sure you are in compliance.
How much will one bag of mortar cover?
One 60# bag will cover roughly 5 sq. ft. including scratch, butter, and grout.
Can I add a bonding agent to the mortar mix?
Yes, adhesion can be improved by adding a liquid bonding agent to the mortar mix follow Manufacturers Recommendations.
5. SCRATCH COAT APPLICATION
How thick should the scratch coat be?
All lath should be covered with a 1/2" to 3/4" coat of mortar.
How long should I let the scratch coat dry for?
Should be allowed to sit for a minimum of ½ an hour – otherwise the stone may sag.
What should I use to apply the "scratch" to the scratch coat?
Scratch coat can be roughed up with a corn broom or stiff brush for better adhesion.
6. STONE LAYOUT
What guidelines should be followed when laying out the stone?
Lay out a quantity of stone near work area, blending multiple boxes to ensure proper mix of size shape & color.
7. APPLICATION OF THE STONE
What is "Buttering" the stone?
Completely cover the back of the stone with ½” mortar, mound up a little in the center to ensure a complete tight seal.
How hard should I push to apply the stone to the wall?
As pressure is applied (use a little wiggle action) and mortar begins to “ooze” out smooth away excess with your finger – this prevents air pockets and prevents moisture / bugs from getting in if grouting isn’t done right away.
If I need to cut a stone how do I do that?
Cutting or trimming the stones are done best with a mason blade in a skill saw, a diamond saw, a mason hammer or shingle hammer.
Where do I begin laying the stone?
If you are installing corners, apply the corners first.
Start at the bottom with the corners – this is for support of the heavier corner pieces and it’s easier.
Starting at the top with the flats makes clean up easier.
Don’t stack more than 3 head joints on top of each other (vertical).
Don’t stack more than 2 bed joints on top of each other (horizontal).
Snap a line or use a torpedo level occasionally – keeping the bottom of the stone level (this is where the eye focuses).
How far do I space the stones apart?
You can have larger or small grout joints – just make sure the stone is completely sealed around the edges with at least ¼” grout exterior.
Do I scrape out the excess mortar?
Use a paint brush handle and push in, don’t scrape out. The mortar should be thumbprint hard before starting and ¼” depth.
What if I get mortar on the stones?
Rinse off film or residue with 1 part vinegar / 4 parts water, using a soft bristle brush, rinse repeatedly with plain water.
Remove mortar from stone face, as necessary during installation.
DO NOT ALLOW MORTAR ON STONE FACE TO SET OVERNIGHT
Where do I start?
Install corners first alternating the long & short legs
Keep brick layers uniform & level by snapping a level line every 8 inches
Three brick courses & 3 mortar joints commonly measure 8” tall
Leave stone 1/8” to ¼” away from trim board use caulk along the trim board. This leaves room for movement. Do this on any material that is not mason work
Exterior stone must be 6” above grade –moisture reasons and 3” above pavement
8. GROUTING
Where can I get a grout bag?
Grout bags are available at any hardware store. If the bag has a metal tip remove it and cut a 3/8” hole in bag otherwise it will clog
How do I grout the joints?
After the stone has been applied to the surface, fill grout bag 2/3 full with mortar. Fold 2 corners in and roll up end. Fill around stone in a continuous motion.
Be sure to cover any noticeable broken or cut edges with mortar
9. STRIKING THE JOINTS
How do I "strike" the joints?
Use a striking tool to push mortar into any cavities or voids, creating a seal around each stone.
What is the purpose of striking the joints?
To fill all holes or gaps, to prevent the occupation of pests or water that may cause future problems.
10. BRUSHING
What can I use to brush out the joints?
A mason or horsehair brush can be used to brush the joints
A smaller paintbrush is an advantage to getting those smaller areas
What is the purpose to brushing the joints?
Brushing the joints helps to create that clean natural stone look. It will remove any tooling marks made in the mortar.
How do I clean mortar off of stones?
A mild vinegar and water solution will work; do not use just water as it will leave a milky residue on the stone.
DO NOT USE ACID WASH
11. SEALERS
Does the stone need to be sealed?
It is not necessary to seal the stone. If sealing is preferred the sealer MUST be breathable. Our stone will only fade at the same rate as natural stone (color pigments are made of natural stone)
When can I seal the stone?
Allow the stone to cure 30 days before sealing.
What should I use to seal the stone?
Use clear non-film forming – semi permeable – Breathable Sealer
DO NOT APPLY MORE THAN THE CONTAINER RECOMMENDS
DO NOT USE
- Stone Mason Products
- Other types of non breathable clear sealer
12. CLEANING THE STONE
What can I use to upkeep the look of my stone?
We recommend a mild solution of granular detergent and water.
Soft bristle brushes and rinse with water
What shouldn't I use when cleaning the stone?
Do not use; acid, salt, or other de-icing materials or a wire brush, these will damage the stone.
13. SILL APPLICATION
How far should I overlap the flashing?
Flashing should be 4” under the siding and ½” – ¾” over the top of the sill.
How should I set the sills?
Snap a chalk line and fasten 2 x 2 zinc coated angles. Butter sill and set on top of the angles to support. Caulk the joint along the back of the sill and the building then cover it with flashing. Apply stone underneath sill as normal, covering the exposed leg of the angle. Grout and finish joints.
14. HEARTHSTONE APPLICATION
How much overhang is recommended for the hearthstones?
1/2 inch is what we recommend for both visual and strength qualities.
What do I need underneath the hearthstone?
Surface should be level
Use plywood, tar paper, metal lath and about 1/2" of mortar.
K value?
1/2" micore underneath to get the correct K value
15. WARRANTY INFO
What is the warranty on Pro-Line Stone Veneer?
Pro-Line Stone Veneer has a 50 year warranty when installed conforming to local building codes and manufacturer instruction.
Share BPI will replace any defective product at no charge.
Warranty is limited to the original purchaser, with receipt.
Warranty does not cover
- damage to settlement of building
- discoloration due to airborne contaminants
- contact with chemicals or paint
- staining or oxidation
- use of non breathable sealer
16. STONE & DIMENSIONS (approximate)
What size are the stones?
River Rock Flats 3” – 12” Diameter 1” – 4” Thick
River Rock Corners 3” - 6" returns
Split Rock/ Granite 4” – 12” Diameter 1” – 11/2" Thick
Split Corners 4" - 7" returns
Ledgestone 4” – 10” Long 1” Thick
1 ½” – 3” High
Ledgestone Corners 4" - 8" returns
Limestone 4”– 14” Long 1 ½ “- 2” Thick
Limestone Corners 3” – 9” returns
Fieldstone 5” – 15” Diameter 1" - 3" Thick
Fieldstone Corners 3" - 6" returns
Weatheredge 4” – 20” Long 1” – 2 ¾” Thick
1” – 6” High
Weatheredge Corners 3"-9"
Brick Flats 7 ¼” Long x 2 ½” High ¾” Thick
Brick Corners 2 ½” x 6 ½” Inside
3 ½ “x 7 ¼” Outside 2 ½” High
What size boxes do your stones come in?
100 sq. ft. boxes measure 40 x 48 x 30
10 sq. ft. boxes & 8 ln. ft. boxes measure 23 x 12 x 19
