Do-It-Yourself Layered Stone Backsplash

Find the studs in your project area. Using a stud finder, locate the studs and mark them in pencil. Typically, studs are set approximately 16 inches apart.

Fix cement board to kitchen walls. Using 1 1/4-inch wood screws, affix the 3/8-inch board to walls by inserting the screws into the cement board, then driving them into your studs using a screwdriver. Insert screws along the length of studs, roughly 8 inches apart.

Combine Type S mortar and water. Pour the mortar mix into a mixing tub and add water in amounts provided by the manufacturer. Type S mortar commonly comes in 40-pound packages, in which case, you'll likely need approximately 2.6 quarts of water.

Apply Type S mortar to cement board with a notched trowel. Your layer of mortar should be roughly 1/4 inch thick. To create necessary mortar lines, run the notched part of the trowel across the surface.

Layer stone veneer onto mortar by pressing it into wet mortar and tapping it with your mallet; this ensures it's firmly in place. Proceed with layering the stone veneer throughout your entire project area. Allow the mortar to set/dry for at least 24 hours.

Use leftover mortar to fill in gaps. Place mortar in the grout bag and pipe it to gaps between stones. Remove any excess with a damp sponge.