How to Lay Rock on a Wall

Stone veneer can give your rock wall an authentic look.

You can lay a rock wall in your home easily, using stone veneer. Stone veneer is manufactured rock that resembles stone, but weighs less. Stone veneer comes in various colors and shapes. Do-it-yourselfers can install stone veneer over wood, concrete, unsealed brick and drywall.

Things You'll Need

• Staple gun with staples
• Pencil
• Trowel
• Mortar (type N or S)
• ½-inch galvanized roofing nails
• 15-lb. felt paper
• Stud finder
• Metal lath
• Grout and grout bag
• Hammer
• Joint tool
• Broom
• Spray bottle with water

Instructions

1. Affix the felt paper to the wall with staples, using the staple gun. Run the stud finder across the wall and mark the location of the studs on the felt paper with a pencil.

2. Hammer galvanized roofing nails into pieces of metal lath over the felt, hammering into the wood studs. Apply mortar over the lath to a depth of 3/8 inch, using a trowel. Spray the mortar with water from the spray bottle to keep it moist.

3. Apply a layer of mortar on the back of each piece of stone veneer with a trowel as you place the veneer on the mortared wall. Push each stone so it sets in place. Use the grout bag to insert grout between each of the stones; smooth the joints with a joint tool.

4. Sweep away pieces of dried mortar with a broom.

References

• Ebuild: Stonecraft Manufactured Stone Veneer Installs Quickly with Few Tools and Offers Dozens of Options
• Bob Vila: Surfacing Walls With Stone Veneers

Resources

• Sunsetstone: Installation Specifications