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Can You Put Stone Veneer Over Vinyl/Wood/Metal Siding? (How To)

Nothing beats the luxury that stone siding offers if you want to improve the appearance of the exterior of your house.

Stone veneer siding can also significantly raise the value of your property in addition to adding to its beauty.

The weight of stone veneer is one of the most difficult aspects to cope with. Additional reinforcement is needed to support the weight of the natural, solid stone. However, stone veneer is lightweight, thus the structure supporting your current siding should be able to support the weight of the veneer.

Stone siding of the house

Therefore, a contractor can simply add stone veneer on top of flat-panel siding that is in good shape on your home.

Before your veneer is installed, your siding may need to be removed if it has gotten too decayed or damp damaged.

The current siding will need to be taken off and replaced with OSB or plywood before you can then install stone veneer.

You have to start with a flat surface to correctly install stone veneer. The most typical backing material for this type of project is plywood, but flat panel siding that is in good condition can also serve as the ideal base for stone veneer.

If you have textured siding, such as brick or shingles, then they are unable to offer the proper base and will have to be replaced.

Your siding will be covered in mortar after you nail metal lath to it. The stone is then placed in position, making sure that the layout takes into account the color and pattern of the stone veneer being used.

Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on December 20, 2022.

The final layer of mortar will be grouted between joints after your stone has been set into the mortar.

Each veneer stone piece must be individually laid, which can take some time, so maintaining the correct water content in the mortar is critical to ensure the best possible adhesion.

Should You Put Stone Veneer Over Vinyl/Wood/Metal Siding?

Stone siding of the house

Attaching stone veneer to the exterior of your house is an excellent way to give your home an up-to-date look.

However, there are a few things you should keep in mind before starting the job.

Specific preparation measures are necessary, depending on the surface you want to adhere the stone veneer to. The veneer requires a metal lathe and vapor barrier for wood-framed walls. Applying the veneer to a garden wall or shed is fairly easy, but a professional should be used for a whole house.

The precise planning of where you place the veneer pieces is crucial as they come in a limited number of designs. For the most natural look, it’s advised that you lay them out in the pattern you want and then check to see that it works for your wall.

What Tools Do You Need to Put Stone Veneer Over Vinyl/Wood/Metal Siding?

Tools for stone

To get the most professional-looking finish, you need to use the correct tools for the job.

To cut your stone veneer you’ll need a wet saw or circular saw with a diamond blade. A hammer and chisel come in handy, as does a pair of aviation shears to cut the metal lath. You’ll need a large bucket or wheelbarrow to mix your mortar as well as a masonry trowel.

You will also require a pointing tool, a wire brush, and a scratch comb to ensure an even, professional finish.

Once the stone veneer is attached to the wall, you’ll need to mix some grouting and apply it between the stones to cover in cracks or gaps. The best tool for this job is a grout bag which resembles a large cake icing bag with a small hole at one end.

If you’re attaching the stone veneer to a metal siding, you can tack weld the wire lath to the steel. By applying a thick layer of mortar, you’ll provide the stone veneer with a suitable surface to adhere to.

You can use the conventional cement-based thin-set to stick the stone veneer in place after the mortar is dry.

Don’t forget to wear eye protection when cutting the stone veneer and a pair of heavy-duty leather gloves will protect your hands from the sharp edges of the metal lath as you cut it.

The lath moves around quite a bit and can easily cut your hands if you’re not careful.

What Preparations Do You Need To Put Stone Veneer Over Vinyl/Wood/Metal Siding?

confused man standing

There are different methods of putting stone veneer on a structure depending on the type of siding that is in place.

After thoroughly cleaning each stone, evaluate the layout by setting the pieces out on a flat surface. To ensure a random assortment of colors and shapes, it is a good idea to mix several boxes of veneer pieces together. You can arrange the entire wall part if you have the room.

If you don’t have room to lay out the whole wall, divide the stone veneer into little pieces and apply them gradually.

When trimming is required, a wet saw, a circular saw fitted with a masonry blade, or a chisel and maul might be used.

Remember that grout will be used to conceal trimmed edges later, but it is a good idea to place cut edges where they won’t be in plain view.

It’s crucial to keep the stones damp throughout the installation as this will prevent them from absorbing moisture from the mortar. If the mortar becomes too dry, the stone veneer won’t adhere to the siding properly.

Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on December 20, 2022.

How To Put Stone Veneer Over Vinyl/Wood/Metal Siding 

confused man standing

You may need a permit to apply stone veneer to your siding, so it is best to check with your local building authority before you start the project.

After applying a vapor layer and metal lath, lay out the stone veneer and mix up a batch of mortar. Apply the mortar to the stone veneer and apply the stone veneer to the wall. Once the veneer is in place, apply grouting to the gaps and cracks and leave it to dry.

A scratch coat should be used to provide a good surface for the stone veneer to stick to.

You can use a type N or Type S mortar scratch coat which typically comprises 1.25 parts sand and 1.25 parts N or S cement. It is also available as a premixed scratch-coat mortar.

The bond coat and the seams can be grouted with the same mortar that was used for the scratch coat.

Using a trowel, apply the mixture in a layer that is 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick to the whole lath surface.

Depending on the location, you might want to tint the scratch coat since it occasionally shows up after the stone veneer is put in place.

Using a metal scraper or metal comb, create horizontal grooves across the whole wall surface so that there is plenty of texture for the mortar to adhere to.

Before applying the stone veneer, let the scratch coat dry for at least 24 hours.

To remove any excess dirt or mortar residue from the veneer’s face, use a steel wire brush and a solution of vinegar and water. Stone veneer has to be cleaned right away so that the mortar doesn’t completely dry on the face.

As directed by the manufacturer, seal the stone veneer, as unsealed stone could be more difficult to clean than sealed stone, and some sealers also offer stain resistance.

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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on December 20, 2022.

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