Tips for Installing Stone Veneer

22 Tips from the Pros

How to Have a Successful Installation

The difference is in the details.

As you may have seen in our how to install videos, manufactured stone veneer installation is a simple process. In fact, anyone with basic carpentry skills can unpack the box and attach GenStone faux stone panels to a wall. As is true with many DIY projects, the details are what separate a botched project and a successful one. Below are 22 easy to follow stone veneer installation tips that will bring your DIY skills to a professional level.

Tip #1

Choose the right installation surface.

Typically GenStone is to be installed over minimum 7/16” wood sheathing (for screw holding power). Cover sheathing with housewrap. You may also install GenStone panels over poured concrete, cinderblock, or ICFs. Note: Do not install GenStone onto substrates lacking good screw holding capacity, or into ICFs with ties wider than 8” on center.

Tip #2

Be sure to use adhesive and screws.

Please make sure to follow screw and glue requirements to attain a satisfactory result. Use 6 each 1 Â½” screws (GRK Brand R-4 or equivalent) every 8” along the shiplaps on the top and right hand side of each panel. Use 4 each 2 Â½”(GRK Brand R-4 or equivalent) screws (4/panel) along the bottom 1-4” of the panel in the field face. Hide these screw heads under the profiles of the rocks.

Tip #3

10 screws for panel.

Each GenStone stacked stone panel, installed onto proper sheathing, must have 10 screws. 4 at top shiplap, 4 in the field 1-4” from bottom of panel, and 2 at the right side on the shiplap. Brick full panels require eight screws behind the tabs on each side while brick half panels need only 4.

Tip #4

8 screws for a corner.

Each standard GenStone corner, installed onto proper sheathing, must have at least 8 screws. 4 in the top shiplap, 2 in the right side shiplap, and 4 in the field 1-4” from the bottom.

Tip #5

Installing over concrete or cinderblocks.

Installing stone veneer panels over poured concrete or cinderblock requires at least 8 mechanical fasteners – 3 into top shiplap, 3 into the face (field) at bottom 1-4” of panel, and 2 on right edge shiplap. (Please use Tapcon, Calburn, or equivalent hardened masonry screws) and generous glue pattern (PL 300, Franklin General Purpose or equivalent) on back of panels to help hold the panels. Housewrap is not required over cement applications or ICFs).

Tina's House Skirting Project

Tip #6

Hide screws at an angle.

Angle all field face screws upward to hide them under the face of the manufactured stone veneer installation.

Tip #7

Keep it level.

Absolutely, make sure the first course of GenStone is level. Follow your chalk line!

Tip #8

Keep your panels cool.

Work on shaded side of building when possible to keep the panels and installers as cool as possible.

Tip #9

Start at a corner, work left or right.

The shiplap design requires you to choose a direction, whether working left to right or right to left. We suggest starting at a corner which will create the necessary offset pattern to hide the seams.

Tip #10

Hiding the seams.

Never stack panels during a stone veneer panel installation. The far left end panel on the second, fourth, and sixth course etc should be shortened to approximately half length (recreate the negative ship lap on the back of the shortened panel). This step is to guard against stacking same length GenStone panels vertically (same rule as any siding product).

Tip #11

Always cut from the left or bottom.

When cutting or routing panels always cut only the left or bottom of the panel which are the negative shiplap edges. Why? Doing so will allow you to avoid having to recreate the shiplap edge.

Tip #12

Stick with the shiplap.

GenStone cuts easily with any circular, reciprocating, or hand saw. Recreating the negative ship lap on back side is fast and easiest with a router. First cut the panel to the correct length. Then use a Â½” straight router bit set Â½”deep. If you do not have a router then use hand saw, circular saw, utility knife, or other cutting tools to recreate a new negative shiplap.

Tip #13

Transfer your measurements.

Measure the face of the panels then transfer the measurements to the flat side of the panel to do any cutting or routing (measure twice, cut once).

Tip #14

Scraps are useful later.

Save unused cut pieces in piles of left hand, right hand, top or bottom pieces for usage later in the stone veneer panel installation (5% scrap factor is average).

Tip #15

Touch up as you go.

Touch up all cut edges as you go as raw polyurethane will yellow over time.

Tip #16

Leave a gap.

Leave 3/16” gap between cut edges of GenStone and trims, brick molds, window profiles, door trims, steps, blocks etc. Touch up cut edges with a matching GenStone paint touch up kit, and color-matched caulk by GenStone.

Tip #17

Make sure the shiplap is tight.

In all stone veneer installations and all temperature conditions, join GenStone shiplap panels tightly together as you fasten them down.

Tip #18

Drop a bead on the shiplap.

Put bead of polyurethane glue (PL300, PL Premium, Franklin General Purpose or equivalent) on shiplaps as you install to seal panels between shiplaps.

Tip #19

Utilize the accessories.

Use GenStone manufactured stone veneer inside corners (preferred method) or miter and caulk inside corners.

Tip #20

Don't skip the flashing.

Use proper flashing on all openings per window or door manufacturer recommendations.

Tip #21

Hiding long screws in ledgers and trim.

Flash at least 1”over top GenStone sloped ledgers. Attach ledgers and trims by hiding long screws under flashings and on edges of GenStone profiles into sheathing.

Tip #22

Protect your eyes and mouth.

Use safety precaution (eye and breathing protection) when cutting or routing GenStone structural polyurethane panels.