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Natural Stone Veneer

12/14/2012

4 Comments

 
One of the things I like best about my job is the feeling of satisfaction when we complete a big project.  And what's even more satisfying is when that finished project is something that I admire and would want to have as part of my own yard.  And I know I'm not alone when I say that natural stone is something that I really enjoy working with and being in the presence of.

To me, there is nothing like the look and feel of real natural stone -- the appearance, the look, the feel, the texture, heck, even the sound.  It just adds a feel that the project has been there for a long time and will continue to be there for a long time.  It is truly part of the landscape. 

And while there a number of faux or manmade imitation stone products out there, with varying degrees of quality in my opinion, nothing compares to the real deal.  And in an area like Philadelphia where so many old structures were built with native stone, the faux stone can also stand out rather unfavorably compared to all the authentic stonework dotting the landscapes.  But unfortunately natural stone can jack up the project costs pretty quickly, both in terms of material cost and labor.  And if you're working on a budget (who isn't in these times!?), having a natural stone wall built can be costly.
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Natural Stone Veneer Pieces -- Flats and Corners
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Veneer Being Applied to Wall Foundation
One solution to this problem is the use of natural stone veneer.  This is real stone, available in a wide range of stone types and sizes, that is applied over top of an existing surface. And the finished product is definitely one that I can truly admire when all is said and done.

The process is quite simple really.  For most of my applications, I'm applying the veneer to vertical surfaces of a newly poured concrete foundation.  Veneer can be applied to existing masonry surfaces as well, as long as the surface is clean, intact, and the application of an additional 1" to 2" of thickness won't interfere with any other objects on the surface such as door jams or windows.  Stone veneer can also be applied on top of existing wood or metal surfaces, however a few additional steps are necessary which I won't get into in this discussion.

Once the concrete foundation has been poured, the forms removed, and the surface has had ample time to cure, the veneer process can be begin.

We typically use Quarry Cut brand veneers, available in a wide range of styles and sizes.  The pieces measure about 1.5" thick, flat on one side and natural texture on the face.  They come in flats and corners to avoid any conspicuous joints at the corners of the wall or structure.
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The Finished Product
Begin by wetting down the vertical surface on which you are applying the stone.  This helps the bond and ensures that the mortar won't dry out too quickly.  Simply mix up a batch of mortar (we usually use Type S), and butter up the back (flat surface) of the stone. 

Start veneering at the bottom of the vertical surface, gradually working your way up.  As you begin setting stones on the second and third courses, the upper stones will rest upon the lower ones which have already been set. 

Stone veneer can be set to mimic a dryset look, with no pointing and minimal joint spacing, or a wetset look with mortar joints between the stones.  If the veneer stones are being pointed, use special care to sponge-clean the excess mortar off the surface of the stones as they're being set without adding too much water or pressure to the freshly set stones.

Depending on the look of the stonework, veneer stones are available as narrow ledgestones, larger squares and strips, or irregular pieces.

For more information regarding natural stone veneer, or to see some additional samples of our work, please feel free to contact us.  We love to show off our work!

4 Comments
Matt link
12/17/2012 10:25:27 am

I'll take real stone veneer over fake rock any day. I haven't done much with thin stone but I did want to pass along a couple tips. First because it is sawn from full size stone, often times there is dried slurry water on the backs. Wash this off before applying your mortar. Second, use some acrylic admix to your mortar and if you are appling to concrete, brush some on it. You can usually cut it with water, up to 50%. This will give your mortar a better mechanical bond to your substrate. Hope this helps a little!

Reply
Clark link
12/17/2012 10:32:14 pm

Thanks Matt --

Washing everything off before applying the stone is a key step. We usually clean all the stone off with a thorough sponge wash before even mixing the mortar. Washing the vertical surface off is key too. The acryllic admix is a good tip too. Thanks for the extra clarification Matt!

Reply
Matt link
12/18/2012 04:14:09 am

No trouble Clark. It was only in the spirit of helping and an attempt to make myself relevant, since I have not posted anything lately. Maybe I'll work something up but not oven related!

Stone range hoods link
4/8/2013 04:01:46 pm

Thanks for info :) this info is very good for me. Thank you for the great article I did enjoyed reading it; I will be sure to bookmark your blog and definitely will come back from again. I want to encourage that you continue your great job, have a good day

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    Company

    Clark Kent Creations, LLC is a full-service landscape construction company servicing the Pennsylvania communities of Delaware County, Chester County, The Main Line, and the University City, Art Museum, and Manayunk/Roxborough neighborhoods of Philadelphia.  In addition to this blog page, additional information regarding the company and our services can be found on the subsequent pages of the site.
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    Author

    Clark Linderman is the president of Clark Kent Creations, LLC, a landscape construction company based in Swarthmore, PA.  He is a proud graduate of the University of Michigan.  In addition to his passion for all things outdoors, he counts Michigan football, Phillies baseball, Superman memorabilia, Memphis R&B music, and good craft brews among his many interests.  He currently resides in Swarthmore with his wife, Sheila, two sons, his dog Krypto, and a really, really messy garage full of work supplies and toys.

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    Contact Us:
    Clark Kent Creations, LLC
    Swarthmore, PA
    Design and Construction to Maximize Your Outdoor Experience

    707-290-9410
    clark@clarkkentcreations.com
    Serving Delaware County, PA

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    Like my Blog?

    If you like the content of my blog posts, here are a few other blogs that I check in on regularly:

    Stone Soup:  A Master Stone Mason shares his craft.

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    Revolutionary Gardens:  A Virginia-based landscape designer shares his work and ideas.

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