DIY Interior Stone Veneer

Clean the wall where you plan to install stone veneer. Use a shop vacuum to remove any dust and debris that may prohibit the mortar from bonding with the stone veneer.

Attach a layer of builder’s felt to the wall to act as a moisture barrier. Start at the bottom of the wall and install the felt horizontally using staples. Overlap rows of felt and any seams by 2 inches as you install them.

Secure metal lath to the wall with staples spaced 4 to 6 inches apart. Hang the lath so the metal cups in the weave face up.

Mix type “S” mortar mix with enough water to give it the consistency of pudding. Only mix enough for the amount of work you can do before the mortar begins to set. Mix more mortar as you need it.

Apply a 1/4-inch thick scratch coat of mortar to the entire lath-covered wall with a trowel. Push the mortar firmly into the lath to give the stone veneer a surface to bond to. Leave the scratch coat surface rough. Allow it time to dry before proceeding.

Spread mortar 1/2-inch thick on the back of a corner stone, using a trowel. Starting at a top corner of the wall, press the corner stone into position against the scratch coat. Use a carpenter’s level to get the stone straight. Starting at the top helps you keep the surface of the stone veneer clean as you work.

Spread mortar on the next corner stone piece and set it in place. Continue to work your way down the wall as you place the corner stones. Periodically check the stones for levelness. Leave a 2 to 3 inch gap at the bottom of the wall. Repeat the process for the opposite corner of the wall.

Butter the back of a regular stone. Set it in place next to a corner stone. Add mortar to the next horizontal stone and place it. Work your way across the top horizontal row of stones to the opposite corner stone. Use the level to keep the row straight.

Continue to set the rest of the stones on the wall. If you need to cut stones to fit, use a diamond blade attached to a circular saw to make the cuts.

Fill a mortar bag with mortar if you plan to grout the stones. Squeeze mortar from the bag into the area between the stones. If you get mortar on the stone veneer, leave it until it dries, then wipe it off with a stiff brush. Once the mortar begins to set, use a jointing tool to smooth the joints and give them a uniform appearance. Omit this step for a dry stack appearance.