DIY Network

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

With the corners established, begin building up the body of the stone work. Begin by working on the bottom edge and then filling in from the corners.

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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

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F

Intimidated by setting a lot of stone? Create a loose map of the wall and map out the placement of larger stones (figure A). You can set these stones first and then start filling in. For this project, Derek pulls the largest stones and creates an X-shape on the wall. The X-shape balances out the stonework on the bar and draws the eye.

Set your larger stone pattern and then begin applying the rest of the stone (figure B).

A couple of pointers:

• Mix stones of different shapes and color (figure C) to create visual interest.

• Avoid cross joints and joints that span across multiple stones.

• Keep joints small so the eye goes to the stone and not large joints. To keep the joints small -- cut stone to fit. Cutting can be done with a chipping hammer or a grinder. Mark the cut that you need to make with a pencil (figure D), cut it, and then set the stone. (Don’t forget to wear your safety glasses and a mask if you’re cutting with a grinder!)

• The most effective way to cut real stone veneer with a chipping hammer is to trace the cut and then undercut the stone (figure E). Cutting away the back weakens the top or front area and it cuts more easily to the desired shape.

• If two adjacent stones are different thicknesses, you can reshape the arris line of the thicker stone so the adjacent edges will match (figure F). Chip away the top layer of stone with your chipping hammer.

• Your stone should be room temperature when being set.

• The stone can be dusty so wash it get maximum color "pop". Wash it ahead of time or after you have jointed the wall at the end of the project.

• To prevent heavier stones from popping off the wall, secure them with stone shims or screws placed underneath the bottom of the stone for support.

• If you are working with another person, periodically switch sides. Everybody works with stone in a different way and switching ensures that the wall work looks seamless, not like it was done by two people.

• Your wall work should be horizontally-oriented -- don’t throw in a large vertical stone, even if it might fit. This ‘tombstone’ would look out of place in a horizontal wall.

Continue to piece stone together until all of your stone has been set.

RESOURCES :

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