Thin Veneer Stone Fireplace Installation

Pass over the entire area where the stone veneers will be installed with a stud finder, marking the locations of each stud and wooden support in the wall. Drill holes every 12 inches into each stud, and every 6 inches along the sides of the fireplace, adding additional holes and setting drywall anchors in them if there are not studs in a particular section of the wall.

Sand the entire surface of the fireplace installation. Use rough grit sandpaper.

Spread lath tightly over the wall. Drill 3-inch wood screws with plastic disc washers through the lath and into each previously drilled hole in the wall. Cut the lath with tin snips and overlap any seams in the lath at least six inches. Continue to install the lath until the entire section is tightly covered.

Spread mortar over the lath with a trowel so that it fills in all the spaces of the lath and makes a layer 1/4 inch deep. Let the mortar dry for a few hours, then scratch up the entire mortared surface with a rake. Let the mortar dry for 48 hours.

Apply the thin veneer stones starting at the top of the fireplace. Place the largest stones first then use the smaller ones to go back and fill in any gaps. Spread a 1/4-inch layer of mortar on the rear surface of each stone, then press it against the raked mortar surface for 30 seconds. Release the stone and continue to the next one.

Cut any stones necessary with the saw to fit them into specific areas. Remove any excess mortar from in between the stones. Let them dry for a few hours, then apply grout between the stones to the desired depth. Let the stones dry for a few days before having fires in the fireplace.