Stone Veneer has long been a trick used on the exterior of houses to create the look of stone over a concrete base but what about bringing those little stone veneers inside? According to the folks at Stonecraft, more and more homes are utilizing stone veneer overlays on their interior. Not only is the stone easy to install but man made stone veneers are made from other recycled stone materials.
Stonehenge, the Prehistoric Stone Monument in England
Warmth, depth, character are all the marketing buzz words that the stone veneer sales guys & gals will shout your way but the thing is… they are kind of right! Maybe those prehistoric interior decorators that created Stonehenge knew a thing or two … the texture of stone adds a custom style to rooms. While full on stone may be difficult and expensive to install, the natural or man-made veneers are often much more cost effective and in my experience, when properly installed you cannot tell the difference! Further, since a stone veneer is actually just stone at half the weight they will not tax your structure as a natural full stone overaly can.
Tips to Install Natural or ManMade Stone Veneers
- Read the instructions – most homeowners can install stone veneers themselves IF they are willing to read the instruction (this rules out my husband but there is still hope for the rest of you). Some manufacturers post installation guides on their websites and recommend that you review them carefully before starting. “Follow the manufacturer’s method of installation and don’t cheat,” says Terence Meck at Rolling Rock Building Stone, a quarrier in Pikeville, Pa. “It’s critical to do it right and to do it right the first time.” Stone veneers are very low maintenance and only need to be sealed if exposed to extreme temperatures or a lot of snow.
- Prepare your surface: To install thin veneers you need a clean, dry surface. It must be waterproof or the masonry will eventually fail. Surfaces like new, untreated brick, block, or concrete, require no special preparation, but wallboard or wood will need a vapor barrier, weep system, metal lath, and a scratch coat of mortar. The stones can be trimmed or adjusted with tools like a brick hammer or angle grinder with a diamond blade.
- Install Stone: To apply the veneer, butter the back of the stone and press it onto the surface. The mortar should squish out the sides to partially fill the joints. Hold the stone in place for a few moments until it sets.
- Apply Grout. After all the stones are placed, grout the joints with the same mortar. When the mortar has set for a couple of hours and is firm, rake and clean the joints, and brush off any particles.
Need A Second Opinion on Stone Veneer?
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Check out my old Buddy Bob Villa (okay we’re not really buddies… yet!) for additional installation tips and techniques.
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Stonecraft like all good stone veneer manufacturers has a full installation guide on their site – go to Installation.
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Videos of stone veneer installation abound on Youtube (someday I’ll put together one of my own, but in the interim, I would suggest a quick search on your specific topic – natural vs manmade, manufacturer, etc).
I love the idea of stone veneer – great for inside and outside. What ideas do you have for window treatment? We have windows that cover the front our home – would you recommend some neat shades that are controlled by remote?