How to Make a Stone-Look Facade

Prepare the surface for applying the stone veneers. Cover the surface with 3.4-inch metal lath. Pull the lath tightly over the surface and secure it in place with 1 1/2- to 2-inch nails. Set the nails every 6 inches along the upper and bottom edge of the lath.

Apply mortar over the metal lath with a metal trowel. Apply a thin coat of mortar, but ensure that the surface of the lath is completely covered.

Run a metal handheld rake over the surface of the mortar while it's still wet, working in an upward motion. Allow the mortar to dry for a minimum of 48 hours.

Set the stones in place, starting at a top corner. Apply a thin coat of mortar with a trowel to the back of each stone before setting them in place. Place the stones on the wall and wiggle them around a bit -- to create a bond between the stone, the mortar and the wall. Space each stone less than 1 inch apart. Cut the stones to size as needed with a wet saw, or by banging a chisel over the stone with a hammer. Allow the stones to set for about one hour.

Remove excess mortar between the joints of the stone by carefully running the end of a broom handle or a stick between the joints.

Fill a grout bag halfway with grout. Squeeze the end of the bag and apply the material into the joints between the stones.

Wipe down the surface of each stone with a damp sponge -- while the grout is still wet -- to remove excess grout from the surface of the stone. Allow the surface to dry for 48 hours.