FAQ: Installing Stone Veneer Over Concrete Block?

How do you attach stone veneer to concrete blocks?

If you are applying stone veneer to a painted or sealed concrete foundation, attach a layer of metal lath to the concrete wall with masonry anchors. Cover the lath with a scratch coat of mortar to give the stones something to adhere to. After the scratch coat dries for two days, install the veneer as described here.

How do you face a cinder block with Stone?

How to Add a Stone Face to Cinder Block

1. Make sure that your concrete or cinder block wall is clean, smooth and free from paint.
2. Attach a wire mesh base to the wall according to the manufacturer’s directions.
3. Mix the dry mortar with water until it is as thick as mashed potatoes.
4. Spread additional mortar on the back of each piece of stone veneer.

Do I need cement board for stone veneer?

Like any tile or stone installation, it is important to get to know both the material and the substrate you are installing it on. Natural stone veneer is heavy and should not be installed over drywall; cement backerboard or masonry applications are recommended.

Do I need a scratch coat on cinder block?

Usually you won’t need to apply a scratch coat to a cinder block or cmu wall but in some instances like installing stone veneer, you will need a good base for the material to stick and a scratch coat is perfect.

What type of mortar do you use for stone veneer?

Mortar is comprised of a blend of either portland cement, hydrated lime and sand, or masonry cement and sand. Type N or Type S mortars are generally used for installing stone veneer.

Can you glue stone veneer to cement board?

What can I put stone veneer on for an interior application? For interior applications, stone veneer can be installed over cement board, drywall, and all of the above.

How do you cover an exterior concrete block wall?

Concrete. The simplest way to cover a cinder block wall is by using surface bonding cement to create a concrete finish. Concrete helps insulate the building and keep moisture out. It creates a smooth, finished surface you can leave as is or paint.

How do you lay a stone on concrete?

Spread out enough cement, approximately 1″ deep to set one stone. Tap the stone into the cement with a rubber mallet or heavy hammer and block of wood. Use a straight edge across the top of the stone and across the top of the outline boards. If the stone is too low, lift up the stone and add more cement.

Can you put brick over cinder blocks?

To make your home look more appealing, you can glue faux brick panels over the cinder block. They are designed to fit together like a puzzle, making the seams disappear into a solid brick finish.

Can I install stone veneer on plywood?

Using Stone Veneer Mortar. In this application, stone veneer is being placed over plywood. It is important to install a water resistant barrier prior to installing the stone veneer. Once the barrier is in place, metal lath is nailed to the plywood.

Can you glue stone veneer to plywood?

What can I put stone veneer on for an exterior application? The metal lath/scratch coating may be applied over structurally sound wall surfaces of plywood, OSB, concrete board or gypsum sheathing, supported by wood or steel studs, and over concrete or masonry walls.

Can you use thinset stone veneer?

Thinset is recommended for use in stone veneer or brick veneer installations on a concrete of masonry surface over expanded metal lath. Always check with a professional before starting your project to be sure you have the right mortar for the job.

What type of mortar is best for stone walls?

Type N Mortar Mix



It is also the preferred mortar mix for soft stone masonry. Type N is the mortar most often used by homeowners and is the best choice for general application. It typically achieves 28-day strength in the range of 750 pounds per square inch (psi).

How do you make a cinder block wall look good?

Faux Finish you can make that ugly cinder block wall look like cut, fitted stone or brick. Cut stone is simplest look to achieve because you follow the existing grout lines. For the brick look, youll need to fake some additional grout because bricks are smaller than cinder blocks.

Should concrete blocks be filled?

The concrete blocks that are used to build block foundations are hollow. After the concrete blocks are laid, the voids can be filled with a cement-based mortar or poured concrete that contains small pea gravel.



Do you need to fill cinder blocks with concrete?

Block Wall Thickness	Blocks Filled per Cubic Yard	Concrete/Grout per 100 Block
12″	65	1.54 yd3