Are you ready to give your brick home a new look? One of the options you may be considering is a stone veneer. Can you put this over painted or unpainted brick?
A stone veneer can be put over a brick wall, regardless of whether it is painted or not. The real key to successfully doing this job is to prepare the brick properly in advance. After the stone is put in place, it will last for many years.
If the brick is not painted but is just standard brick-and-mortar, then this job is going to be relatively straightforward. There are still some things that need to be done to ensure that there aren’t any problems.
The real issue comes in if there is paint on the brick. This can result in difficulty getting the stone veneer to stick properly.
As you will see, there are ways to get around this and with a little work on your part, you will be able to put the stone in place and be perfectly happy with it. That being said, the work that is necessary when putting stone veneer over brick will take some time.
Can You Put Stone Veneer Over Brick (Painted Or Not)? (How To)
Another factor that needs to be considered is what type of stone veneer you are going to use. Essentially, there are two main types of stone veneer, one made of genuine stone and the other made of Portland cement and some other products.
There is nothing quite like the look and feel of true stone, so that is what many homeowners choose but you should know that it comes at a premium cost. Natural stone veneer is more expensive and is also heavier, so think twice before you simply go for natural stone because of the fact that it is stone.
Cultured stone, (faux stone) has come a long way over the years. It is lightweight, less expensive, and easier to install.
Perhaps the best part about cultured stone is the fact that it is almost indistinguishable from a natural stone veneer. The only time you will really be able to tell the difference is if you install it so that there is a noticeable pattern or if you allow the veneer to deteriorate.
Fortunately, if you follow the steps below and prepare everything in advance, the possibility of a stone veneer deteriorating is going to be very minimal. The real key is to prepare the wall in advance so that the veneer sticks and to avoid the possibility of moisture damaging it.
In this article, we will consider a number of different factors from safely working on stone veneer to how to put it on the brick wall successfully. Don’t skip any steps, because each of them is vital to the success of the project.
Should You Put Stone Veneer Over Brick (Painted Or Not)?
Putting a stone veneer over brick is not difficult but there are some potential problems that need to be considered. Knowing these problems in advance can help you to avoid them and the possibility that they will come back to haunt you at some point in the future.
Water Damage – One of the biggest problems that can happen when putting a stone veneer over brick is for water damage to eventually occur. If water gets behind the stone veneer and doesn’t have a way of getting out, it can leach into the building envelope and eventually, could make your home uninhabitable.
Some of the big problems associated with water or moisture include cracked and peeling veneer, mold, termites, and damage to the exterior walls from the inside out. Obviously, these issues are better avoided.
One way to avoid this problem is to put a waterproofing membrane over the brick before you put on the stone veneer. This is going to add some cost to the project, but it is something to consider to allow the home to stay dry and still enjoy the beauty of a stone veneer.
Building Envelope – When you install the stone veneer over brick, you may end up doing some work that could involve drilling into the brick. You need to be cautious so that you don’t puncture the building envelope in the process.
If the building envelope is compromised, it could allow water to get behind in the area and eventually, could deteriorate the walls. There have been homes that have been left uninhabitable due to this type of problem, although that is an extreme case.
Noticeable Patterns – When you install a stone veneer, especially if you use artificial stone, there will be a pattern to it. That is why it is important to stagger the sheets of veneer and avoid any patterns that could occur.
As you are working, don’t work so close to the job that you aren’t able to see the forest through the trees, so to speak. Step back away from the work you are doing and take a closer look to ensure that you are not allowing a pattern to occur.
Damaged or Dirty Bricks – It may be possible that the bricks are dirty or damaged. If they are, then the mortar may not adhere properly and you could end up with the stone veneer coming loose.
Make sure that you pressure wash the brick in advance and allow it to dry. You should also check for any loose bricks or pockets and fix those issues before putting up the veneer.
What Tools Do You Need To Put Stone Veneer Over Brick?
You are going to need some tools for this job and having them in advance will help you to get started and complete the job without any distractions.
Pressure Washer
Scrub Brushes
Mortar Brush
Trowels, Including a Notched Trowel and Brick Trowel
5-Gallon Buckets
Garden Hose
Plenty of Rags
Plastic to Protect the Ground and Bushes
Drill with Mixer
4-Foot Level
2-Foot Level
Tape Measures
Chalk Line
Rubber Mallet
Gloves
Safety Glasses and Goggles
N95 Respirator
What Preparations Do You Need To Put Stone Veneer Over Brick?
If you’re ready to get started on this project, then it is important to prepare everything in advance. Here are some things to keep in mind when preparing for this job.
Remove Paint – This is an important step that should not be overlooked when applying a stone veneer to a painted brick wall. If at all possible, the paint should be removed. This is especially true when the paint is coming loose and scraping the paint off is an important step in the process.
Clean – The brick wall should be cleaned thoroughly. The easiest and most effective way to do so is with a pressure washer. Use a pressure washer that is between 1000 and 2000 psi. This will allow you to clean the brick without causing damage to it.
Repair – If there are any issues with the existing brick, such as loose pieces or missing pieces, it should be repaired in advance. You want a nice, solid surface behind the veneer so that it will hold the veneer in place successfully.
Dry – We are including this as a final step because you don’t want to begin with the scratch coat too early. Make sure that the wall is both clean and dry before you begin the installation.
How To Put Stone Veneer Over Brick (Painted Or Not)
Now is the time when we actually begin with the process of installing the stone façade. Follow these steps for a successful job.
1. Screen – If you are applying the stone veneer over a painted brick wall, you should put some screen on the brick first to give a proper surface so the scratch coat will hold. You can attach the screen with some small pegs that expand when they are hammered into the brick.
2. Scratch Coat – Apply a liberal amount of mortar on the wall and smooth it so that it is about 1/2 inch thick or a little thicker. You can then use the notched edge of a notched trowel to scratch the surface.
The scratch coat provides an imperfect surface so the mortar that is put on the stone veneer will adhere properly.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on December 17, 2022.
3. Corners – Most people start in a corner because it gives them a good reference. If you do start in the middle or anywhere other than the corner, use a chalk line to strike a level line.
Regardless, you want the first piece to be as level as possible. Check it multiple times because it is going to set the standard for the rest of the wall.
4. Butter – When you apply the stone veneer, you will butter the back of it at least 1/2 inch and preferably 3/4 inch thick. Press the piece in place so that some of the mortar comes out from behind it. You still want to keep plenty of mortar in the back to hold.
5. Stagger – Continue to put the veneer on the wall and stagger it so that you don’t end up with a noticeable pattern. Every few pieces, take a step back to look at the entire wall and make adjustments if patterns exist.
6. Seal – Wait about one month and then use a sealer to protect the surface of the stone. You will have to reapply the sealer on a periodic basis.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on December 17, 2022.
You can put a stone veneer over brick as long as you prepare the brick properly. Both painted brick and unpainted brick will require a scratch coat but if it is painted, you should apply a screening underneath so the scratch coat has a good hold.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on December 17, 2022.
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