are you considering viven air for your next Oh project there are many benefits including smaller depths and lighter weight which allows it to be installed in places where full veneer wouldn't work such as dormers fireplaces and existing interior and exterior structures it's easy to install and you won't need extra footings or support the tools and materials you'll need for your thin veneer install our hammer trowel flat track angle grinder mason hammer chisel joint rake mortar bag mortar tub hope dusk mask safety goggles earplugs level pencil tape measure staple gun wheelbarrow or concrete mixer type s mortar dry Mason Reese and acrylic bonding agent clean water veneer flats and pre-cut corners there are a variety of thin veneer colors and patterns available to see what options are available visit us online or your nearest Simcoe outdoor location first up you'll need to calculate your coverage area measure the amount of corners you'll need in linear foot and allow for 5 to 10 percent extra for the flat area bigger the overall square footage deducting for any windows or other openings deduct the square footage of the flats at a rate of 75 percent of your corners remember to add an extra 5 to 10 percent the ideal temperature for installation is 60 to 80 degrees below 40 or above 120 will not allow for proper bonding keep in mind the veneer install is a multi-day project as certain steps require at least 24 hours of dry time if you don't have a masonry wall you want to start out covering your sheathing with a moisture barrier like roofing felt house wrap or plastic sheeting overlap the metal lath joints at least 2 inches never start or stop your laugh joints at a corner always wrap the lath around the corners with a minimum of a 6 inch return mix your mortar using one part masonry cement and three parts sand or you can use a pre-mixed more like we have here two key properties of mortar are bond strength and workability there are two basic motor types in an S type S is stronger with a PSI of 1800 type in has a PSI of 750 but has a better workability type s tends to be a little stickier you can mix in a bonding agent with your mortar for added bonding strength mix as directed by the manufacturer the mortar texture you're looking for is that of peanut butter apply a scratch coat over the metal lath you'll need at least a half inch layer once applied allow to dry for at least 24 hours lay out your stone pattern on the floor make sure all stone is reasonably clean corners should be laid first alternating between long and short returns start at the bottom of your install area butter the back of each stone about half an inch with the mortar apply directly to your area and wiggle into place hold until stable the stone we're using is a grey Missouri limestone called Cedar Ridge it comes right here from our own quarries the pattern we're using is a dimensional pattern it comes in heights of two and a quarter five and seven and three-quarter those three Heights make a very easy installation because the two tuna quarters can equal a five and so on so whether you're an amateur or a professional it will make installation a breeze if a mortar joint is preferred a good industry standard is half an inch straight unbroken joint should be avoided no more than three stones high by three foot long to trim the edges score the back with an angle grinder about halfway through the stone turn and hammer apart with a masonry hammer or use a hammer and chisel so it's time to start filling the joints with mortar the mortar we're going to use has a little bit thinner consistency so it will go through the mortar back break the joints with a tuck pointer or a screwdriver the timing on when to rake the joints is important if too soon the mortar is mushy if you wait too long the mortar gets too hard the mortar is ready when it crumbles away like seen when brushed using a firm wire brush scrub the mortar until smooth be careful not to scratch the stone surface you should work as neat as possible Stone can be cleaned with a mild detergent diluted with clean water wait two to three days after install before cleaning and test a small area first do not use metal brushes acid base cleaners are not recommended as they can discolor the stone so I hope your thin veneer installation is a little bit easier now if you have any more questions or need a little bit more information visit us online