How to Make Stone Facades

Use a staple gun to attach builders felt to the area you will be working with. If the felt pieces are not large enough to cover the area, use more sheets of felt and overlap them by 2 inches.

Use nails to apply metal lath over the felt. Metal lath is a thin, mesh-like material that gives the stone and mortar a rough place to grip. The lath should be positioned so that the cup-like protrusions face upward. The lath should be rough to the touch when you start at the top and run your hands down the surface of the lath. This allows the mortar and rock to adhere to your surface. The lath also should be overlapped where needed by at least 2 inches if the sheet is not large enough to cover the builders felt.

Mix the mortar according to the manufacturer's directions. Then use a finishing trowel to smooth it onto the metal lath. Add the mortar in a downward motion until the lath is completely covered, and the mortar reaches 1/2 inch in thickness. While the mortar is still soft, you'll need to add some texture to the mortar. If you are right handed, start at the top right side of your surface. Hold the tiling trowel vertically in your dominant hand. Tilt your wrist so that the combed edge on the right side of tiling trowel smoothly scrapes the surface of the mortar, but does not dig in or create uneven ridges. Gently drag the tiling trowel horizontally from right to left along the mortar to create a textured surface for the rock to adhere.

If you are left handed, you will hold the trowel in your left hand and tilt your wrist so that the left side of the tiling trowel makes contact with the combed edge of the trowel and move from left to right to create the texture. Repeat this step until the entire surface has a horizontal "ribbed" texture. Allow it to cure overnight.

Decide which stones you will place first. Place the stones in the header first. Then place any corner pieces in your design first before filling in with the main section of stones.

Mix the mortar according to the manufacturer's directions. Don't allow it to become too dry; a good consistency is similar to that of pudding. Spray down the back of the stone with water to prevent the mortar from drying too quickly. This strengthens the bond between the stone and the surface.

Apply mortar to the back of the stone using a finishing trowel. Firmly push the stone into the textured surface. Add the next stone in your design, being careful to leave the same amount of space between each stone. When all stones are in place, allow them to cure for 24 hours before adding grout.

Mix grout according to the manufacturer's directions. Evenly apply the grout around the stones. Let the grout cure for about an hour or until the grout makes a dent when pressure is applied to it. Use a striking tool to smooth out any uneven sections.