DIY Network

Stone Veneer Bar: Prepwork From "Rock Solid" episode DROC-112

Dean and Derek (on location in Colorado) use real stone veneer to transform a bland basement bar into a rusting seating area. The two will begin with prepwork, before shoring the area with asphalt paper and metal lathe.

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	Before: A boring basement bar
	After: Dean and Derek have created a Rock Solid focal point, and an attractive area for entertaining.

Materials:

Drop cloths
Plywood
Measuring tape
Pencil
Utility knife
Staple gun or hand-stapler (and staples)
Electric drill
1 - 1-1/2" drywall screws
Wire snips
Chipping hammer
4" grinder with diamond blade
Safety glasses
Protective gloves
Dust masks
Small trowel
1/2" jointers (one for each person jointing)
Inexpensive paintbrush
Mixing buckets
Wheelbarrow (optional)
Mixing hoe with holes
Sponges
Shop vacuum or broom and dust pan
No. 30 asphalt felt (enough to cover your project)
Metal lathe (enough to cover your project)
Mason sand
Type S mortar cement
Robinson Rock flats and corners

NOTE: The quantities needed for each of these materials varies with application, but for this project Dean and Derek used 25 shovels of mason sand and a 90 lb. bag of Type S Mortar Cement.

	Figure A
	Figure B

• Dean and Derek protect the work area with tarps, a padded blanket and a piece of plywood. The tarps will protect the floor from the stone and the plywood provides a solid protective surface for banging or cutting stone.

• The bar that Dean and Derek are revamping is plasterboard. Fortunately, the stone veneer that they are applying only weighs about 11 pounds. per square foot -- it can be applied to non load-bearing walls -- but they still need to create a moisture-proof and structurally supportive surface for the stone veneer and mortar. They create this surface by applying a layer of No. 30 asphalt felt to the plaster surface with a staple gun (figure A). Note: If you need to apply multiple strips of asphalt felt to the wall, overlap the strips by 2" and secure with staples. Cover all areas that will have stone and cut out around outlets.

• Cover the asphalt felt with a layer of metal lathe (figure B). While the asphalt felt acts as a moisture barrier, the metal lathe provides a surface that will firmly hold the mortar and stone. The metal lathe should be applied so that it is smooth to the touch going up, and rough to the touch coming down. The rougher texture provides a better hold for the mortar and cement. Cut out around outlets with wire snips and secure the metal lathe with your drill and drywall screws. Be careful around cut areas – the metal lathe is very sharp! The metal lathe should be firmly secured to the wall – no areas should give when pressed. Start by securing it to wall studs and work your way into the center. With your wall area prepped, you’re ready to begin with stonework.

RESOURCES :

Robinson Rock
Product: Tuscany (color)
Robinson Brick Company
1845 W. Dartmouth Ave.
Denver, CO 80110
Phone: 800-477-9002
Web site: RobinsonBrick.com