People often dream of the perfect serene outdoor space. Most want to create a more natural Rocky Mountain look. Using large, natural stones is one method of attaining the goal of a more outdoorsy, nature-filled wonderland.
Once the professionals at Rock Bottom Landscape Calgary have finished installing your perfect Rocky Mountain outdoor natural landscape, you will need a natural indoor accent wall.
An indoor stone wall is a lovely accent to your Rocky Mountain outdoor landscape. It looks great, but you can also do it with these handy tips. Follow the steps below to create a matching interior accent wall. (The best part is that this process works for stone veneer, faux stone, and brick veneer, too).
Backer Preparation
The stone can be stuck directly to these surfaces on concrete block walls or unpainted brick walls without additional layers.
On wood or drywall, you will have to add a layer of tarpaper starting at the bottom to work upward, overlapping the tar paper by 4″. The tarpaper can be attached with a starter because you will add a layer of expanded metal lath next. The strip should be installed from the bottom, working up and overlapping by a couple of inches. Use nails or screws that will go into the studs by an inch and a half. A tip here would be to add a washer to your nail or screw to help hold on to the lath. Fasten on every stud, not more than 8″ apart. Wear gloves, or it will chew up your hands as you work.
Surface Preparation
Cover the lath with a ½” coat of mortar or scratch coat and allow it to dry for about an hour. When applying the scratch coat, use a coarse brush to form grooves in the mortar. This way, the next layer will adhere to it. The mortar should have one part of sure “n” cement and two parts of mason sand. Mix it with enough water to form a runny consistency. You can use this formula to set the stones and grout the joints.
Applying the Stone
Most stone veneer is easily sheared or cut as needed. You can shape using a circular saw with a masonry blade, wet saw, grinder with a masonry cutting wheel, or diamond edge. A hammer and chisel will also cut the stone.
Butter the stone by adding about a ½” to ¾” mortar on each stone’s back before sticking them to the wall. Start at the bottom and firmly push the rock into the wall, causing the cement to squeeze out on the edges of the stone. If the rocks are shifting when you let go of them, your mortar may be too thin, and you will need to add some more cement and sand until it is sticky. I have found that adding some masonry lime to the mix will make the stones stick better.
As you work up the wall, you can use wooden or plastic spacers to help hold the stones until the mortar dries. Be careful not to be too messy with the mortar and get it all over the show side. You need to keep them as clean as possible for the best finish.
Getting Your Joints Right
After about an hour, when the mortar has dried a bit, push the mortar into the joints. Use a jointing tool or a rounded stick. I have found that an old spoon or a kitchen knife works well. When you have completed this process, use a wire brush to remove excess mortar from the face of the stone and clean up joints with the wire brush and a whisk broom.
Grouting
Now it’s time to grout the joints, and you will need a grout bag. First, mix the mortar until it is a little runny, and fill the bag halfway. Next, roll the bag and squeeze with your other hand, forcing the mortar into the joints. The hole in the bag should be no more than ¾”.
If you don’t grout the same day, leave your stones clean and wire brush any mortar off the face before the mortar hardens.
Helpful Tips for Placing Stones
- Put the larger stones on the wall first before you start cutting other stones to fit.
- When you cut the stones above eye level, put the cut edge up, and put the cut edge down below eye level.
- Keep the joints tight and the stones close together, which will help your wall look more attractive.
- Use contrast for a better look. Use large stones next to small stones and dark stones near light stones, heavy texture near smooth stones, etc.
- Place stones, so joints are not in a straight vertical line between more than two layers of stones.Place stones, so joints are not in a straight vertical line between more than two layers of stones.
- Add a little colour to the mortar to make it blend with the stones.
- Cleanliness is essential. Keep hands and stones clean, and brush off excess mortar before it dries.
- Enjoy your new wall!
Creating an indoor stone wall is not easy – you must put in a lot of hard work and effort. That’s why there are professionals. So when it comes to your Calgary landscaping needs, give Rock Bottom Landscaping a call