How To Install Rock Veneer Siding

How to Install Manufactured Stone Veneer Siding

Manufactured stone veneer (MSV) has the look and feel of real stone. However, this cloth offers an culling that's highly customizable and much more affordable. As an experienced DIYer, you tin even install this veneer yourself. Observe how it can requite your dwelling house a touch of elegance, and learn how to install manufactured stone veneer both indoors and outdoors.

Manufactured Stone Veneer Nuts

For centuries, rock has been a versatile siding material for both stately and modest homes. While virtually older homes have natural rock siding, this material started to fall out of favor in the mid-20th century due to its high cost, heavy weight, and increasing rarity. Though the appeal of stone never faded, the costs and logistics involved with installing this heavy material have made natural stone a less bonny choice for many homeowners.

During the mid-20th century, manufactured stone veneer began to gain popularity. This is due to its natural look and ease of use both indoors and outdoors. Though it looks remarkably similar to natural rock, MSV is made from a physical mix with the texture and color of real stone.

Footstep-by-Step Guide to Install Manufactured Stone Veneer

Paradigm via Flickr by BradPerkins

If you've ever wanted to learn how to install manufactured stone siding, you might be surprised to know that it's relatively easy to put upwardly. Experienced DIYers tin typically install this artificial stone siding in a few short days, depending on the size and telescopic of the projection.

• Step 1: Start by applying a layer of building paper evenly across the entire installation area.
• Step 2: Measure out the spaceand cut wire lath to size. For a cleaner cut, position the uncut wire lath over two sawhorses, and staple to concord information technology in place while cutting.
• Footstep 3: Place the cut lath over the layer of building paper and secure it in identify.
• Step 4: Cover the wire lath with a one-half-inch layer of Blazon South mortar. Texturize or scratch the mortar before it dries to create a surface with better adhesion backdrop.
• Step 5: Allow the scratch coat to dry for about 12 hours or overnight.
• Footstep six: Apply Type Due south mortar to each manufactured rock veneer and put the MSV in identify, one at a time.
• Step vii: If necessary, apply grout between the stones. If your blueprint calls for the stones to touch, essentially giving the installation a dry stacked expect, you lot won't need grout. If yous've left space between the stones, however, fill each joint with grout. Don't get out joints partially filled, or the grout will fall out before long.

Pros and Cons of MSV

Manufactured stone veneer is a popular choice for interior and exterior siding for several reasons, but it's non necessarily the best choice in all cases. Allow's take a expect at the main pros and cons of MSV.

Pros

• Easier installation than natural stone. Non all homeowners would consider MSV installation to be like shooting fish in a barrel, but when compared to natural stone, installation is a breeze. The average homeowner can't typically install natural stone, but installing MSV is a reasonable DIY project.
• Long lifespan. When it comes to siding, MSV is i of the longest lasting options. Manufacturers typically offering 50-yr warranties, which means MSV tin last for a lifetime.
• Little maintenance. Like natural stone, MSV doesn't require all-encompassing maintenance in lodge to expect great while protecting your habitation. Use a soft brush to remove dirt periodically, and use h2o and a mild detergent to remove grime when necessary.
• Low toll. MSV typically costs one-half or fifty-fifty a third of the toll of natural stone siding.
• Numerous colors. Natural rock tends to have limited color options. In contrast, MSV is bachelor in countless natural tones, shapes, and styles.
• Versatile uses. MSV works well both indoors and outdoors, giving homeowners countless installation and design options.

Cons

• It'due south a challenging DIY project for a beginner. Installing MSV is entirely doable for most experienced DIYers, just it's not the all-time choice for a starting time-time DIY projection. If you're not accepted to taking on major home improvement projects of this calibration, consider hiring a local contractor to help.
• Physically demanding installation. MSV might not be nearly equally heavy equally natural stone, but this artificial rock siding still holds some weight. Since each veneer is installed as an individual component, you'll demand to flex some serious muscle throughout the projection.
• Time–sensitive steps. If yous're pressed for time, easily distracted, or have a hundred other DIY projects going on at the aforementioned time, give this ane some serious thought earlier jumping in. Since you'll exist dealing with a compound that dries relatively quickly, you'll demand to maintain focus throughout the projection in lodge to complete the steps in a timely manner.

MSV Dos and Don'ts

Image via Flickr by ArmchairBuilder.com

In one case you begin to install manufactured rock veneer, y'all'll get the hang of information technology speedily. Prepare yourself with these all-time practices.

• Do: Spread the Type Due south mortar quickly by using two trowels. Since the mortar won't stay wet and pliable for long, moving speedily is of import.
• Do: Apply Type S mortar. Though it's possible to mix your ain mortar from scratch, Type Due south mortar is designed to work with MSV. Just add h2o to the fix-made mix, and yous'll be installing your rock veneer siding in no fourth dimension.
• Do: Employ a tile trowel to texturize the mortar. Keep in heed that MSV won't stick to smooth mortar very easily, and then you'll need to scratch or texturize it prior to putting the stone veneer in place. A tile trowel is an easy and time-efficient tool for adding texture.

• Don't: Forgo the safe glasses. From cutting the wire lath to applying the mortar to placing the stones, installing MSV is a project that requires safety spectacles.
• Don't: Place dry stone veneer on the texturized mortar. Instead, apply a layer of mortar to each stone earlier putting it in place. Be sure to wipe away excess mortar from the edges so this substance doesn't compromise the final expect or the grouting process.
• Don't: Forget to consider the color of the mortar. Type S mortar will announced as an earthy gray color when it dries, which might not be an ideal match for the stone veneer you've chosen. If you prefer a different tone, dye the mortar prior to awarding.

Tips and Tricks for Working with MSV

MSV has nearly limitless possibilities. On your dwelling'due south exterior, utilize it to call attention to an architectural element or add together a note of elegance. Indoors, install it on an accent wall in lodge to add visual intrigue.

If you lot plan to install manufactured stone veneer outdoors, make sure you lot understand what your local building code requires in terms of flashing and waterproofing. Flashing, a type of water bulwark, typically goes in corners and at intersections with windows, doors, or electrical outlets. This material helps divert h2o away from the wall and prevent information technology from seeping through seams or causing water damage. If installing outdoors, yous'll almost certainly need to add flashing prior to applying mortar.

Whether yous piece of work with MSV indoors or outdoors, don't let unsightly stones ruin the consummate wait of your installation. Instead, hide sharp stones past trimming off the ends or by installing them at a dissimilar angle.

Try not to let pocket-size mistakes go major ones. If y'all've practical too much mortar between two stones, for case, don't wipe it away while it'due south wet. Instead, let it to prepare, and then employ a trowel to remove the hardened mortar without leaving a mess.

At the end of each twenty-four hour period, be sure to clean up the newly installed MSV so it volition continue to look its best. Whether you've applied some grout outside the lines or you've made a mess of the mortar, use a stiff castor to make clean off the stones when y'all wrap upward for the 24-hour interval.

If you want the await of natural stone just adopt greater blueprint flexibility and lower toll, manufactured stone veneer is a smart choice. If y'all're an intermediate or experienced DIYer, yous can even take on this projection yourself over a long weekend and requite your installation a personal affect.

Source: https://www.builddirect.com/learning-center/building-materials/siding/how-to-install-manufactured-stone/

Posted by: rodriguezforling.blogspot.com

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