Have you ever marvelled at the beauty of a stone wall? Chances are that the blocks of granite, marble, limestone, slate are usually veneers! Stone veneers are thin pieces of natural stone that are moulded to look just like regular stone slabs. When installed in the correct way, stone veneers are almost indistinguishable from natural stone.
The light weight, flexibility, versatility and low cost make stone veneers the popular alternative to natural stone slabs. However, it is important to note that stone veneers – natural or manufactured – are not load-bearing structures. They do not bear the weight of the wall like a concrete block or solid stone slab.
As a result, flexible stone veneer sheets are generally attached over a sheathed structure. It requires a metal lath and mortar base to which the stone veneer pieces are fixed. Flexible stone veneers are available in a variety of types, colours, textures and materials. The exact installation depends on the type of product. So, we highly recommend that you follow the installation instructions from your flexible veneer slim stone supplier in India for the best results.
In this guide, we walk you through the general installation guidelines for flexible stone veneers.
Materials Required for Flexible Stone Veneer Installation
- Flexible stone veneers
- Stone cutting tools like circular saw, masonry chisel, or wet saw
- Mortar
- Hoe for mixing mortars
- Scratch comb
- Masonry trowel
- Pointing tool
- Wire brush
- Grout bag
Surface Preparation
The actual preparation depends on the surface to which you’ll be attaching the stone veneers. Flexible stone veneers can be directly attached to concrete walls. However, wooden walls require a metal lathe. Before you attach the veneers on your walls, it’s crucial to layout the veneer pieces carefully on the floor. Fix the pattern that you like and take a picture of the final pattern on your phone. This way, you can easily replicate the pattern on the wall, without having to make any changes as you go.
Installation of stone veneers is quite easy and if you’re an avid DIY-er you can handle it on your own. You can also hire professional teams to handle the job for you.
Start by washing all the stone veneers. Reputed flexible veneer slim stone supplier in India like Decor Luxury Handicraft Art sends you the materials in neatly packed boxes. So, you can skip the cleaning and washing step.
Layout the flexible stone veneer pieces on a flat surface. Blend different colours and shapes to create a more natural look. If you have the floor space, you can lay out the entire wall section on the floor. Otherwise, place a small section and fix the veneers in stages.
Trimming of stone veneer pieces may be necessary. Flexible stone veneer sheets can be easily trimmed using a masonry blade or a chisel. Before you install, make sure to keep the stone veneer sheets damp to prevent the stones absorbing moisture from the mortar.
Mortar Preparation
The next step is to prepare the mortar for fixing the veneers. If you’re preparing the mortar from scratch follow this ratio: 2.25 parts water with 1 part of cement. Mix well till it resembles a thick paste. The right consistency is that the mortar should be spreadable but not too watery so that it drips off the wall.
Apply the Mortar
Using a trowel, spread a thick layer of mortar onto the back of each veneer piece. The mortar should be wet enough so that it won’t dry out. Start by tackling small sections of the wall.
Fix Veneer Pieces
Fix the veneers in place and hold them till they stick to the wall. Hold it in place for around 10 seconds. The best strategy is to start from the corners near the bottom and work your way up. Rotate the veneer gently, press inward to shake off the excess mortar. If the stone slips from the original position, then it means the mortar is too thin. If the mortar gets into the face of the veneer accidentally, then no worries. All you have to do is wait for the mortar to harden a bit and then brush it away. Don’t let it harden too much, then it becomes difficult to remove.
Apply the Grout
The joints between each stone veneer piece should be filled with a grout mix. You can use the same mortar you used for fixing or a bonding mortar. The grout bag is similar to a piping bag used for cake decoration. When the grout starts to dry, use a sharp pointed tool to spread the grout into joints, avoiding any voids.
Cleaning and Sealing
Use a steel wire brush to remove any excess mortar or dirt left on the veneer. Make sure that you clean the veneer within 30 minutes of fixing to avoid the mortar from fully drying on the face of the veneer.
You can seal the veneer if recommended by the flexible veneer slim stone supplier in India. Sealed stone veneers are easier to maintain and are also stain-resistant when compared to unsealed stone veneers.
For any further help on fixing stone veneers or finding the right stone veneer sheets for your renovation project, get in touch with Decor Luxury Handicraft Art the No.1 flexible veneer slim stone supplier in India.
