How to Install Stone Veneer in 7 Steps

Install two layers of grade D moisture barrier, overlapping 6 inches at your vertical seams and 4 inches at your horizontal seams. Overlap 16 inches around the corners.

Once that’s done, install your galvanized metal lath. Secure it into place with galvanized nails or staples on the studs. Just like with the moisture barrier, overlap the lath 16 inches around the corners.

Note that you don’t need to install a moisture barrier and metal lath if you’re installing your stone veneer onto clean and unpainted masonry or concrete surfaces. This includes stucco.

However, if you’re installing your stone veneer on plywood, wall sheathing, metal siding, sheetrock, or fiber cement board, you need to do this step.

Get your stone veneer mortar and prepare it for use. This might include mixing it by hand, or by machine. You’ll know your mortar is the right consistency if it clings to your trowel when you hold it sideways.

Grab your protective eyewear and then use a square, notched trowel to apply ½ inch  to ¾ inch of mortar. Next, take a metal rake and make horizontal lines. After you complete the scratching process, wait 24 hours for the mortar to properly set before moving on to the next steps.

While you wait for your scratch coat to dry, you can prepare your stones for installation. If you notice that your stones are dirty, this is a good time to clean them off with water and let them dry completely.

Also, you should plan your installation ahead of time by laying out your stones on the ground and deciding which piece should go where. For the most natural look, mix up the shapes and colors of the stones by placing big ones next to small ones and thick ones next to thin ones.

During this step, you may notice that you need to trim some of your stone pieces. You can do this on a skill saw with a dry or wet diamond or masonry blade. For smaller pieces, you can use a mason’s hammer.

After the scratch coat is dried and ready, you can get started on installing the stones. You should start at the corners and then work your way up from the bottom. The lowest stone layer should be 3 inches above the ground.

First, take a sponge or brush and apply some water to the side of the stone. Then, apply a half-inch to a 1-inch  layer of mortar to the back of the stone. Take the stone and press it into the wall.

When you push the stone into the scratch coat, move it to the right and left a little and apply firm pressure.

Repeat these steps for each stone piece. Take care to space the stones evenly from one another for a clean, finished look.

Depending on your vision, you may want to color the grout. If you decide to do this, you can mix in liquid cement color into the grout.

For the grout, you can use veneer stone mortar. Put it in a grout bag and start filling in the joints. Fill in the gaps with about a ½-inch layer.

Allow the grout to dry until it’s thumbprint hard. This means that if you press your thumb onto the mortar, that it leaves a thumbprint. Then, use a joining tool to get rid of any excess mortar. Use the tool to also smooth out the grout.

If your stone veneer wall is outside, make sure to install kick-out flashing by your gutters to ensure proper drainage. Failing to do so can cause moisture to seep into the walls which will later cause rot and other water damage.

Clean the stones with a soft-bristled brush. Then, apply sealant for the stone if necessary. It’s a good idea to seal stone veneers anywhere that you expect moisture. That means that any outdoor walls, pool areas, showers, and bathrooms require sealing.