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Outdoor Stone-Kitchen Bar and Grill Stone masons Derek Stearns and Dean Marsico turn a plain backyard barbecue into a distinctive outdoor kitchen. From "Rock Solid" episode DROC-301

(Continued from page 2)

Setting the Cement Block

A cement block structure is built up inside the stone veneer for additional support. Dean and Derek use four inch cement blocks. These blocks will be covered up by the stonework and countertop, so they don't have to be "pretty." Set the block with mortar up to the level of the first course of stone.

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Setting the Second Course

• The first stone to be set on second course is the one at the lowest point. Work from the middle out. The stones fit like pieces of a puzzle (figure K). Follow the CAD plan and set the all the stones in the second course.

• Only a bit of mortar is needed between stones. Once you set a stone, you can use shims to keep the stone securely in place as you work. For added strength, parge the stones from the back with mortar (figure L).

  Figure K

  Figure L

  
  

• Once the mortar begins to set up, "rake out" the excess with your jointer so that it is not visible between the stones (figure M). These stones are cut and designed for the dry stacked look.

• While you're setting the second course, continue to build up the internal structure (figure N). Set the cement blocks up to the level of the stones. This part of the cement block structure does not have to be level. However, you don't want to be too sloppy, as the topmost layer has to be exactly level to support the countertops.

  Figure M

  Figure N

  
  

The stones of the top course have a straight edge onto which the countertops will be set. Set these stones in the same way as the previous course, following the CAD plan. Once they are in place, check that they are level. Since the kit comes precisely pre-cut, once the top row is set, the finished edge is done also. Build up the cement block to the height of the final course of stone and check that it is level. You are ready to set the countertops.

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