Home Prepare
Castle Stone Chalks
Chisel Drystack
Fieldstone Ledgestone
Thin Brick
Things to think about when preparing for cultured stone. When planning to use cultured stone, get the average thickness so your builder can factor it into the overall plan.
New Construction
Exterior.
When your planning to build a new home, and planning to have cultured stone as one of the exterior sidings, there are lots of factors
that you will need to consider before the foundation is poured.
1. Consider the other sidings and how they will work on your home.
For instance; are you using brick, Hardi, Wood (cedar or something similar), Stucco, or all stone. Your plans should allow for the
difference in thickness of each product and accommodate the variances of each.
2. For the most part, wood, hardi and stucco are applied directly to the stud walls. The brick has a brick ledge and sits away
from the stud walls. Therefore, if brick and cultured stone are to be butted up to one another, the stud wall will need to be furred out to
within 2" inches from the desired finished edge.
3. With brick, you will need a brick ledge, with cultured stone it is optional. If one is desired, you only need approximately
1 1/2 to 2 in. This will make the stone look more realistic.
4. The siding is plywood. 1/2 OSB is fine. If some time will pass before the stone is applied, wrap the plywood with a water barrier.
5. The windows are placed flush on the siding material. Seal and peel applied after water barrier.
6. All siding, brick, stucco, soffits, trim, decks and preferably paint should be on before cultured stone is applied.
7. Have the cornice man provide a stone freeze to accommodate the stone you selected.
8. Shutters should be placed on top of the stone not on before. You wouldn't put them on before wood siding or stucco siding.
9. Electrical outlets need to be in place (secured to the wall) and need to be extended out about 2 inches so the stone can go around the box
and the cover plate will sit flush.
10.When stone is going on a fireplace chase on a real steep roof, be aware that it is literally impossible to keep all the cement off
the shingles. Therefore if possible, place felt paper on the decking to protect it but, wait on the shingles. If not possible, walk boards
will need to be placed on the roof along with scaffolds. If concrete shingles are the roof material, have the roofer come back.
11. Columns should be built out to no less than 12" x 12" square. More the better. This dimension should still be two inches from the edge
of the slab.
Interior
Interior applications can range from fireplaces to bedroom walls. Arch tops over the stoves to stairway sidewalls. Whatever the
application, there are things you should prepare for.
When placing a fireplace, consider the following.
1. Is it a wood/gas burning unit or a direct vent?
2. Are you having a flat hearth or a raised hearth?
3. Is the hearth framed by the framer during construction or built out by the mason?
4. Does the stone terminate into the wall or into cabinets?
5. What type of mantel are you having?
6. Is there electricity needed on the wall or mantel?
7.Where are gas valves located and how are they accessed?
Fireplaces can make an average room into an unbelievably gorgeous room if done right. (Consider these for all interior applications.)
A. The stone can be placed on the sheet rock, so have the framer and sheetrock contractor do what they normally do.
B. The trim carpenter will need to have the baseboards and mantel in place before stoning. In the kitchen, all cabinets and countertops
should be in place.
C. If crown molding is to be on the ceiling, have the molding blocked out 2 inches to accommodate the stones thickness as it
terminates into the ceiling.
D. Cabinets that are built next to the fireplace or in the kitchen, and the stone will terminate into them, the stiles will need to be wider
to compensate for the space lost by the stone.
E. It is also good to have all the wood painted or stained before the stone is applied. This will keep the moisture from damaging the wood.
F. The face of the firebox should be flush with the sheet rock wall (unless you want it to be set out flush with the stone). This
way the stone can cover the black metal of the box if desired.
G. The hearth should be built out to within two inches from desired finished height and width.
H. Gas valves should be placed outside the stone area if possible. If not possible, a small access door can be placed over it and the stone
can butt up to it. Or a key hole can be left in a mortar joint.
Every situation is different and I'm sure I forgot something. So if you have any questions, give us a call.
When it comes to construction, Lone Star Stone is … the natural choice.
Call us today to set up an appointment to find out more.
281-477-7244