Cultured Stone Installation Instructions by Vicky Smith


Cultured Stone Installation Instructions by VICKY SMITH
Article Posted: 08/20/2013
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Articles Written: 1910 - MORE ARTICLES FROM THIS AUTHOR
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Cultured Stone Installation Instructions

Business

Cultured stone is a man-made, veneer stone product. Cast in a mold and made to resemble a wide variety of natural stone colors and textures, cultured stone is one-quarter the thickness of natural stone. Due to its light weight and workability, the material is a great option for the do-it-yourselfer. Instructions as follows: Firstly, prepare the installation surface. Level and install a weep screed. A weep screed is a metal device installed below the first course of stone that allows for draining or "weeping" of moisture or water from the stone. Follow the manufacturer's directions for proper installation of the weep screed device. Secondly, install a temporary 2-by-4 starting strip where you will install the first course of culture stone. You will use this 2-by-4 starting strip to support the first row of stone. Place the 2-by-4 strip on the ground, remove soil or shim the piece to level it. Thirdly, start the first course a minimum of 2 inches above concrete or pavement and 4 inches above grade, which is the horizontal soil or dirt area below the wall. Use a staple hammer with galvanized staples to install heavy construction paper as a moisture- and weather-resistant barrier. Install the paper over the entire surface area where you are installing the cultured stone. Overlap the paper at least 2 inches on horizontal joints, which are areas where the paper overlaps, and 4 inches on vertical joints. Overlap inside and outside corners a minimum of 16 inches. Fourthly, install the metal lath. Metal lath is similar to "chicken wire," also called "mesh." It allows mortar to adhere to the wall and is an absolutely necessary component of cubic stones installation. Attach the lath with galvanized nails or staples that penetrate the studs at least 1 3/8 inch. Verify that the grooved cups of the lath are turned upward -- this will ensure that the mortar or "mud" will adhere to the lath. Attach the lath every 6 inches to the framing. Overlap lath at least 2 inches vertically and 1 inch horizontally. Wrap corners with the lath at least 16 inches and attach to framing. Fifthly, apply a "scratch coat" or thin bed of mortar to the lath. Use enough pressure to force the mortar into the lath. The scratch coat should be 1/2- to 3/4-inch thick. Rake the scratch coat to create a rough surface area to which you will bond the cultured stone. Allow the scratch coat time to cure before continuing to the installation phase. Sixthly, sort the culture stone pieces. Figure out how the pieces will fit together. Lay them out on the ground and piece them together like a jigsaw puzzle. Mix a variety of shapes, colors and sizes from various boxes to ensure a proper mix of stone. Place small pieces next to large ones and rough next to smooth to ensure a proper mixture of size and texture. Consider trim and additional accessories in your layout. Lay out the cultured stone modular component system. Modular systems are pieces that fit together that significantly reduce the manual labor involved with cultured stone installation.

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