Author:
Mitten Building Products and Accessories
in March 2018
Faux stone veneer panels or replica stone is designed to give your home the warmth and character of traditional masonry without the expensive costs associated with installation and specialized labor.
Replica stone panels can be applied to a variety of substrates including, concrete walls, cinder block, brick, hard stucco, cement backer boards, oriented strand board, plywood, flat board siding, and drywall. Regardless of the substrate you are choosing to apply the product against, the surface should be clean and free of debris or loose pieces.
Perhaps the greatest benefit of installing faux stone or replica stone veneer panels on your home is the installation process. Installing faux stone is much simpler than traditional masonry and anyone with basic carpentry skills and the necessary tools can create that dramatic curb appeal the look of stone provides.
GenStone’s Stacked Stone is an excellent example of how replica stone veneer panels provide for a simple and quick installation that allows you enjoy the look of real stone in the matter of hours instead of weeks.
Like any other exterior home renovation project, the initial steps to success are preparation and planning. When planning your work, here are some steps to consider:
- For the best results, you will want to create random patterns with even grout lines and staggered joints.
- When planning your pattern, keep in mind that there are four different panel patterns. The pattern number is on the right shiplap edge of the panel toward the top. You will want to avoid installing the same panel number either side-by-side or directly above or below the same numbered panel. You will want to sort panels and lay them out before starting each row.
- Stagger vertical grout lines and check that horizontal lines are uniform in width and spacing between panels. Check for level with each row.
It is important to remember that properly calculating how much material your will need to complete the project, ensuring you have the correct tools to complete the job and that all safety precautions and local building codes are understood and followed is essential to a successful install.
Amount of Materials Needed:
Calculating the proper amount of materials to purchase will help you establish a budget and ensure you stay on track to complete the project within the amount of money you had initially planned to spend. For an idea of how to properly measure out your project, review the Siding Calculator blog post for full details on calculating wall and gable area.
Helpful Tip: It is always a good idea to increase your materials order by 10% in order to compensate for any accidental missteps during installation or if repairs are required in the future.
Once you have properly planned for the installation of your GenStone Stacked Stone product, here are the ‘Top 5’ tips for ensuring your installation goes smoothly:
1. Make Sure You Have the Right Tools
Installing replica stone veneer panels can be done by anyone with basic carpentry skills and the necessary tools. Instead of time consuming and expensive masonry work, replica stone’s light weight and simple design saves time, money and materials. Here is a list of the basic tools needed to install replica stone:
- Safety glasses
- Power circular saw
- Tape measure
- Level
- Caulking gun
- Chalk line
- Utility knife
- Router
- Screw gun
- Key hole saw
2. Observe and Obey All Safety Rules
MAKE SURE you obey all safety rules and recommendations set forth by tool manufacturers and check with all appropriate authorities for applicable building codes.
3. Measuring and Marking
It is best to measure and mark on the back, flat side of the panel. Use a level or other straight edge, pencil or marker, and a tape measure to mark the cut line.
4. Cutting and Trimming
After following the marking instructions above you are now ready to cut. When using a circular saw always cut along the mark on the back and make sure to protect the face of the panel as you hold it in place on a smooth flat table.
5. Application
To begin installing replica stone veneer panels, always start at the bottom of the structure and proceed from left to right. It is critical that the first row of panels be as true as possible as this will set the tone for the rest of the installation.
Use a level to mark a line across the substrate at or above the top edge of your bottom row of panels. This will line will give you a reference as you run your panels and allow you to keep your installation square.
6. Corners
When installing an outside corner piece, mark a plum line on both sides of the corner far enough away from the actual corner so they are visible for reference when test fitting.
For inside corners, always use a framing square or straight edge to mark a line on the back of the panel consistent with where you want the inside corner.
Where to go from here:
While all of the information above provides a basic understanding of the initial processes involved in installing replica stone veneer panels, it is important to carefully review detailed instruction guides for specific and expanded information on installation. These guides provide step by step instruction and visual examples of how to install these products including dealing with corners, properly cutting the top row of panels and the finishing touches that go a long way to providing a complete and professional end result.
