Dry stack stone installation

Natural Stone Veneers. Feature Walls. Surface Culture. Knowledge Base. Request a Product presentation. Dry Stack Ledgestone. Stacked Stone Panels. By Application Type. Dry Stack Stone Veneer is a traditional natural stone cladding product that Surface Shop is excited to offer.

This product comes as loose format material that is generally cut on the back to lay flat up against the wall and many of the products then also have rough cut shapes and sizes as part of the product mix. This selective cutting is all with the design intent to create a product that comes in a loose format but can laid into a tight fitting, dry stack pattern. The dry stacked look is highly coveted among natural stone purists as its seen by many as the most technically advanced and beautiful look for loose stone to be installed in.

Similar to how a highly calibrated marble tile can be laid with essentially no grout lines and offers up a superior look to a regular tile with big grout joints, the dry stack technique looks to minimize the space between any individual stones and keep the focus on the stone itself and the skill with which it is laid, not the mortar in between.

The dry stacked technique was previously only accomplished through skilled on site labor, where stone masons meticulously snap cut and chiseled away at pieces of natural stone to get them to fit together as tightly as possible. Today, that detail work has been done for you with Surface Shop Dry Stack Stone Veneers coming in loose pieces that are designed and cut to fit together in a dry stack look.

Our dry stack collection is comprised of the following materials: Granite, Limestone, Sedimentary Rock, Quartzite, and Slate. This highly curated, custom range of products provides a unique and current perspective on natural stone cladding. Each product is characterized as split on the face and sawn on the back.

This allows for both ease of application on your substrate and an organic outward face. Secondly, our dry stack stone range comes with exceptional L-shaped corners to ensure that your corner details are perfect everytime. Surface shop literally has scoured the globe sourcing stone from quarries in 3 continents to curate this industry leading line up. The shapes and sizes of the stones vary from one blend to the next, with some products like the Colton Blend taking on a more rectangular posture and others like the Byron blend showing off a more upright and closer to square geometry.

The scale of dry stack stone veneer lends itself best to exterior and large scale interior installations with residential and commercial facades, garden and retaining walls, and large fireplaces being some of the most common applications of the product. Dry Stack Stone products require more skill and time from an installation standpoint as compared to stone veneer wall panel systems.

The substrate and wall should be structurally sound, secure and capable of supporting the weight of the stone veneer product, which will range from between 3 kgs to 6kgs or 7 lbs to We suggest that the board should be glued and screwed to the frame, screwing at mm or 24 inch centres using screws that are a minimum of 60mm or 2.

It is also important to provide additional adhesion to secure the fibrous cement sheeting where contact with the cement board is made with the stud work or framing, by using a good quality mastic type adhesive. To ensure safety, strength and permanent fixing, this work should only be performed by a qualified and licensed contractor or builder. Each stone veneer product should be checked and if necessary remove any contamination, dust or dirt, sand, or loose particles prior to installation.

When necessary, wash them thoroughly. If the back of the product is dry, dampen it first with a wet sponge, but do not saturate. This prevents the stone from pulling the moisture from the adhesive, allowing it to cure naturally and form a stronger bond.

When fixing natural stone tiles or veneer it is necessary to start the bottom row on a level line to maintain a consistent level as you work up the wall. It is also important that they rest on a secure base such as a concrete floor or footing to help carry the weight and ensure the level stays consistent until the thinset is cured. When installing Norstone natural stone wall cladding use a generous amount of recommended tile thinset and apply it to the back of each panel or tile and to the wall.

It is important to use a notched trowel to apply the tile adhesive on to the wall as would normally be the application method used for laying tiles. This is critical to ensure that a strong bond is formed between the stone veneer and the wall, especially for wet applications.

Press each rock panel into the adhesive, rotating slightly, forcing some of the thinset to squeeze out freely. Any thin set forced out beyond the finished joint or on the tile surface itself must be removed immediately before it is allowed to set. Remember keep the joints tight between each rock panel or stone tile because this will provide a neat appearance. Be sure not to allow any thinset to harden on the face of the tiles because this will help speed up the clean-up process.

The installation pattern of the product should be strictly followed during installation. Click here to learn how to install corners. Stones should be installed with a uniform size grout joint. Long, straight, unbroken joint lines should be avoided.

When installing horizontal styles, special attention should be given to keep the work level. Also, frequently stagger the joint lines both vertically and horizontally. Straight cuts are made with a diamond or carbide saw blade. Cut edges should be turned so they are not as visible at eye level turn the stone down when below eye level or up if above eye level.

To conceal cut or broken edges, cover them with mortar when grouting. Under certain weather conditions, the stone and substrate may need to be lightly moistened with water. This can be done by spraying water onto wall surface and back of stone. Allow the stone and wall to dry for a few minutes to eliminate excess surface water. For joint less or dry-stack installation, it will be necessary to wet the stones regardless of the weather conditions.

To clean the dirt from the stone, use a granulated type detergent or masonry detergent mixed with water and a soft bristle brush. If efflorescence occurs, it is usually caused by excessive moisture migrating through the substrate.

Once the moisture is on the surface it will evaporate, depositing the dissolved salts in the form of efflorescence. This efflorescence should disappear in time. You can clean the stone immediately with a soft bristle brush and a solution of 1 part white household vinegar to 5 parts water. All you need to know. What You'll Need. Also, a two-ply moisture deflection and ventilation system or rain screen. Galvanized and self-furring.

Lath fasteners. All tie wire, nails, and screws must be galvanized. Concrete Bonding Agent. Suggested for use on all dry stack installation. The bonding agent is not necessary in the scratch coat on the substrate. Shims and setting buttons made of lead or plastic. Flashing, rigid non-corrosive.

General Installation Suggestions. Dry stack applications will require additional stone for the desired coverage. An allowance of extra material is similar in quantity of full stone.