Stone Siding Guide: How to Install Stone Siding

Stone siding is a type of interior and exterior covering for a building that is made to look like stone. Stone siding can be made out of processed natural stone or from manmade materials like concrete, PVC, polyurethane, or cement. Real stone siding made from natural stone is more durable, sustainable, and more resistant to weathering than imitation stone siding. Artificial stone siding tends to be more economical and easier to install.

Stone siding comes in a variety of different building materials, shapes, sizes, densities, and weights. The type of siding you choose for your home siding depends on your construction scope and budget. Here is an overview of five types of stone siding.

1. 1. Natural stone siding: Natural stone siding is the most expensive form of stone siding, and the most durable and low-maintenance. It involves large, whole pieces of stone which tend to be heavy. making the installation process difficult and long. It is different than natural stone cladding which involves larger slabs of stone attached to a substrate (such as masonry or drywall) in a staggered pattern rather than laying individual stones vertically on a wall.
2. 2. Stacked stone siding: Stacked stones are usually stacked horizontally to create a layered and textured effect for both interior and exterior spaces. Stacked stone siding can vary in cost depending on whether you use natural stone or synthetic stone.
3. 3. Faux stone siding: Faux stone siding is made of synthetic materials like polyurethane to mimic the look of real stone at a lower cost. This siding is usually high-density and lighter than natural stone. Faux stone siding is also available in panels or slabs rather than whole “stones,” which tend to be lighter and better suited for DIY installations and home improvement projects.
4. 4. Manufactured stone siding: Manufactured stone siding, also called cultured stone siding, is a man-made stone siding that comes in a variety of colors and shades that have the look of individual stones. This process involves using molds to create the look of individual stones out of concrete. It is also a cost-effective stone siding option.
5. 5. Mortarless stone siding: Mortarless stone sidings can be installed without mortar or grout, giving your stone wall a neat and panelized look.

Installing natural stone siding will be much more labor-intensive and expensive than using up faux or manufactured stone veneers. The installation processes for each are slightly different, but most follow a series of similar steps.

1. 1. Lay out your pattern. Lay the stones or slabs on the ground or on a table near to your chosen surface in the pattern of your choosing. This will help you visualize how to distribute your stones on your surface while avoiding any gaps. Use a masonry blade or circular saw to help break any of your stones into smaller pieces to fill in any spaces.
2. 2. Prepare your surface. Different surfaces require different types of adhesive and applications. For instance, you will need to install a protective layer between an exterior wood wall and your stone to prevent moisture from seeping in. You can do this by nailing roofing felt to the surface of the wood. If you’re installing stone panels on a sealed or painted concrete surface, you can skip this step and simply apply a metal lath—an attachable base made from expanded steel—directly to the wall to create a foundation.
3. 3. Cover with a mortar scratch coat. Once you’ve laid your lath, cover the wall with mortar to create a scratch coat with lines etched into the surface to make the next layer easier to bond. Use a trowel to spread the mortar around the foundation first.
4. 4. Attach your corner pieces. Attach your corner stones to your mortared surface to create an outline for the rest of your stones. Apply mortar to the back of each stone or slab before securing to the wall.
5. 5. Attach the rest of your stones. Apply mortar to the back of the stone before applying to the wall. For veneer panels, the slabs are usually larger and quicker to install than putting up one stone at a time. Hold your siding materials to the wall to keep them in place until they are securely bonded to the wall.

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