Spartan Stone Installation Guide

At Spartan stone we produce our natural looking thin veneer stones to look and feel like the real thing. They can be very easily installed if you follow the installation instructions in this guide. When starting a project like this check with your local building authorities for specific local codes and guidelines for thin veneer stones, As always follow good safety practices at all times when using tools and mixing materials.

Safety:

Spartan stone recommends the use of good safety habits and practices when cutting stone and mixing materials. Spartan stone recommends the use good pair of work boots, gloves and eye protection at all times. When using saws and power equipment Spartan stone recommends following the safety guidelines from equipment manufacturers.

Substrates:

Spartan stone can be applied to many interior or exterior surfaces with out the need for structural support. See the installation details for installing Spartan Stone over clean cmu or masonry walls, over wood framing with approved sheathing, over steel studs with approved sheathing.

Stone Termination:

Spartan stone is a non load bearing veneer product and should not be used below grade. At landscaped areas stone should be above grade a minimum of 3 inches. At concrete sidewalks and driveways stone should be above concrete by a minimum of 1” inch for proper freeze thaw concrete movement.

Tools:

1.  Wheelbarrow -( for mixing mortar )
2.  Stapler ( install moisture barrier )
3.  Hammer ( install lath )
4.  Shovel
5.  Tin Snips ( cutting lath )
6.  Nipper or grinder w/ masonry wheel ( to cut stones )
7.  Plasterers trowel ( apply scratch coat )
8.  Masons trowel ( apply mortar to stones )
9.  Tuck pointing trowel ( to tool mortar joints )
10. 2’ or 4’ level
11. Grout bag ( to fill mortar joints )
12.  Smalls stiff brush ( to brush joints )

Materials:

 1. Type “M” or “S” mortar for scratch coat and installing stones.
@ ratio of 1:1:6 ( cement : masons lime : washed masons sand )

2. Type “S” or “N” for grouting stone mortar joints.
@ ratio of 1:1:5 ( cement : masons lime : washed masons sand )

3. Premixed bagged type “N” mortar. ( for scratch coat, sticking stones and grouting )

4. Iron oxide mortar colors can be added ( if desired )

Surface Preparation:

1. CMU, Concrete, and clean masonry walls.

   • New and clean masonry walls must be free of release agents, dirt, environmental contaminants, or paint. Stones can be directly adhered to above walls.
   • If above walls are painted you must follow the steps ???
      
2. Wood framed walls with sheathing. 
• Framing every 16” o.c. with sheathing screwed at every 6”to 8” apart. With a minimum of 1 Ό“ screw embedment into studs.
• Install metal lath over all painted masonry wall surfaces with 3/4" masonry nails.
• Must be covered with local code approved moisture barrier.
   

3. Steel stud framing walls with sheathing

   • Framing every 16” o.c. with sheathing screwed at every 6”to 8” apart. With a minimum of 1 Ό“ screw embedment into studs.
   • Must be covered with local code approved moisture barrier.
      

NOTE: WEATHERED RESISTANT MOISTURE BARRIER TO BE USED UNDER ALL INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR CEMENT APPLICATIONS. EXCEPT FOR OVER CLEAN MASONRY OR CONCRETE.

Moisture Barrier:

1. Spartan stone requires the use of a code approved moisture barrier ( breathable type ) over framing and sheathing with a second layer of a 15 lb. asphalt coated felt paper.

   • Breathable type moisture barrier installed over sheathing per manufacturers recommendations.
   • 15 lb. asphalt coated felt paper to be stapled and start at the bottom of wall installed horizontally with a 2” inch overlap vertically and horizontally.

Flashing:

A stainless steel “L” flashing at base of wall to be used as a termination at base of wall and to release moisture from drainage matt above. ( see next section for drainage )

Drainage Matt:

Spartan stone recommends the use of a masonry drainage mat stapled over the 15lb felt paper, felt side out from wall surface.

Fasteners:

1. Wood & Steel fasteners.

   • All wood fasteners are to be corrosive resistant and with a pancake head or be used with a corrosive resistant washer.
   • All steel stud screws are to be corrosive resistant with a drill tip embedding into steel stud a minimum of ½” deep.

Metal Lath:

1. Metal lath is to be a 2.5lb. Galvanized self furring diamond mesh.
2. On open stud construction and corrugated metal building the use of 3.5 lb. galvanized metal lath installed horizontally with a 2“ overlap.

Thin Veneer Stone:

1. Measure the total sq. ft. of flat stone needed ( L x W = Sq. Ft. )

2. Measure the total ln. ft. of corners needed.

All Spartan Stone Co. Distributors can help you with all the needed materials and tools for your thin veneer project.

Install Procedures:

Prior to installation start by inspecting wall surface for proper installation of framing and sheathing., check masonry walls to be free from release agents or paint. The installation of our stone needs no special foundations and or structural support. Our manufactured stones can be installed directly over any clean masonry wall ( CMU, brick, and poured in place). Install the stainless steel flashing  above all windows, doors, ,and base of wall. On all interior or exterior sheeted walls will require a breathable type moisture barrier with a second layer of 15# felt paper ( check local codes for acceptable types of moisture barriers ). If masonry walls are painted you need to install a 2.5 galvanized metal lath mechanically attached with minimum of Ύ” masonry fasteners. The mechanically attached 2.5 galvanized metal lath with a minimum of 2” overlap at all sides of lath. Use the appropriate type of corrosive resistant fasteners for the type of sheathing and framing used. All fasteners should be penetrating into stud a minimum of 1 1/4”. Framing and anchors should not exceed 16” on center vertically and 6” on center horizontally. If screw heads are too small a corrosive resistant washer may be necessary for proper lath attachment.

Applying Scratch Coat:

All wall surfaces with metal lath require a bed of scratch coat mortar. The mortar should be mixed to a spreadable consistency. The same type “S” mortar can be used for scratch coat and installing stones and filling mortar joints ( type “S” meets ASTM C720 ). The scratch coat must be set and dry prior to stone installation.

Stone Layout and Mortaring:

Before installing stones, layout stones near work area to see different stone shapes and color. Stones should be taken at random from different boxes to blend all colors and shapes to achieve the best possible appearance. Once stones are chosen apply a thick layer of mortar on the back of stone approximately Ύ” to 1” thick with a mason trowel.

Installing Stones:

Typical installation is to start at corners and work your way down as to not drop mortar on stones installed. Once you have checked the fitment of stone, mortared the back of a stone, and choose the location. Place the stone onto wall and press firmly while moving the stone back and forth till you see the mortar squeeze from behind the stone. This will insure a good bond. Position the stone evenly from one another as to keep the mortar joints tight and uniform. Keep joints approximately ½” to 5/8” wide maximum. If installing stone on very hot days it may be necessary to spray a mist of water over scratch coat walls to slow the mortar drying process and aid in mortar workability.

Stone Trimming:

When installing stone it may be necessary to trim some stones for better fit and tighter grout joint. Trimming stones can be done with a masonry hammer and nippers. When trimming stones try to position trimmed edges to be hidden from view.

Grouting:

 After the stone is installed on a wall and the mortar is set. Take your grout bag and trim the tip the size of desired mortar joint. Mix the same mortar you used for sticking the stone and fill up the grout bag with mortar. Place the tip of bag into joint and slowly squeeze bag till you see the mortar filling up the joint to the top. Slowly pull the bag as the grout bag fills the joints and covers any chips or voids in stones. If you want Iron Oxide tints can be added to mortar for desired mortar effect. Spartan does not recommend nor warranty dry stacking of stones with out mortar joints.

Tooling Joints:

After you have filled all joints to desired thickness wait till the mortar is firm before you try to tool it with a masons striking tool. Force the mortar into joints and clean around stone edges for desired effect. Do not try tooling joints with wet mortar as this will leave stain marks on stones.

Brushing:

After the tooling of joints is completed you can brush the joints with a soft brush to smooth out the joints. Brush off all loose mortar from the face of any stones. Do not leave the mortar that has fallen onto stones over night. Clean all areas worked on daily and mortar should not be allowed to set over night. As this may leave stains on stones. Do nut brush joints with a wet brush.

Completion:

After all is completed as noted in installation instruction you need to allow the stones and mortar joints to set and cure. There is no need to seal the completed wall but can be sealed to protect the surface from excessive environmental grime. Please contact your Spartan Stone Inc. Distributor for sealer information.