How to Build With Ledger Stone

Plan your building project carefully. Use graph or plain paper to draw a plan to scale. You can set the scale as you like; use one graph square to represent 1 foot, for instance. This will help you and the retailer determine how much ledger stone is needed.

Select a stone type. If you plan to use ledger stone veneer on the walls between the kitchen cabinets and counter tops, for example, consider slate, granite or marble for durability and visual impact. While these may be more expensive than other types of ledger stone, the area you're covering is generally small and veneers are thin, which may make the product more affordable. For fireplaces and exterior projects, consider less expensive cuts such as limestone or fieldstone.

Choose a color scheme. Earth tones ranging from white to gray, gold, russet, amber and umber are available, often in the same stone types. You can build the entire project with light gray ledger stone for a monochromatic look, use different shades of a single color or opt for ledger stones in different colors. Select a texture the same way; use ledger stones with smooth edges, rough edges or a combination of the two.

Prepare the surface if you are attaching ledger stone or ledger stone veneer to an existing interior wall. Veneers often come already attached to mesh backing, so attach the felt paper vapor barrier to the wall with galvanized nails. If you are using loose ledger stone veneer, nail metal mesh to the wall on top of the felt. Apply a 1/2-inch, rough coating of mortar or tile adhesive to the wall and allow to dry completely.

Lay the stones out on a large, flat surface the same size as the wall to be sure they will fit in the space. If any need to be cut, use the chalk reel to mark the line to be cut. Don safety gear and cut the tile along the chalk line using the grinder.

Slather 1/2 inch of fresh mortar onto one edge of the ledger stone with the trowel and press that edge against the wall. Tap the stone lightly to improve adherence. A hammer handle or rubber mallet works well for this. If the veneer stones are loose, begin stacking them exactly as you had them in the test layout so they will fit properly.

Apply a thin coat of mortar for a scratch coat, as described in Step 4, to attach veneer to an outside surface, such as concrete block. Allow it to dry. Spread fresh mortar on one edge of the ledger stone and press it into place against the scratch coat.

Stack large ledger stones without adhesive where appropriate. These slabs of stone -- not veneers -- are heavy enough to maintain their shape without support. This type of ledger stone may be several inches thick and vary in width and length -- from brick-size to more than a foot wide or long.

Make an outline of the project base using string or a chalk line so you know where to start and stop. If you are building a wall outdoors, for example, place the outline on the ground where the wall is to begin and end. Choose ledger stones of varying widths but similar depth so the wall will have an even face.

Lay the first row of ledger stones according to the project outline. Add a second row, using both narrow and wide stones on top of the bottom row so that the second row ends evenly on both sides of the bottom row. Make sure the small space between two stones in one row is covered by solid stone in the row above, or the project will fall apart.