DIY Stone Facade

Prep the surface of your home for stone installation. If your existing facade is made of stone or concrete, power wash it to remove any dirt and debris. If your existing facade is made of non-masonry product, cover it with metal lath. Install 3.4-inch metal lath over the existing facade, using 6-inch nails to secure it to the surface.

Apply a coat of mortar to the surface of the masonry facade or over the surface of the lath. Use a metal trowel to apply the mortar to the surface, creating a 1/2- to 3/4-inch thick surface.

Scratch up the surface of the mortar while it is still wet with the notched side of the metal trowel. Allow the mortar to set for 48 hours.

Starting at the bottom center of the facade, apply mortar to the back of a stone and set it in place on the wall. Hold the stone in place for a few seconds.

Work in an outward fashion, applying stones on the left and right of the center stone. Apply mortar to the back of each of the stones before setting them in place on the wall. Set stones about 1/2-inch apart.

Cut stones to size using a tile cutter for areas where full-sized stones won't fit.

Work in an upward fashion, creating rows of stones along the facade until the entire front of the house is covered with stones. Allow the stones to set for 48 hours.

Apply grout to the tip of a trowel. Run the trowel through the gaps between stones, filling them with grout.

Wipe down the stones with a brush and water to remove excess grout from the surface.