26 Apr 2023
All About Stone Wall Cladding Installation: Tips and Tricks
When it comes to renovating your home or building a new one, the exterior is just as important as the interior of your space. One of the ways you can enhance your home exteriors is by using stone wall cladding. It adds grace and character to your space and offers a layer of protection to your walls. However, the installation process can be tricky and requires some tips and tricks to be successful. In this blog, we’ll delve deeper into the nitty gritty of Stone Walling and offer valuable insight to help achieve the desired result.
What is a Stone Wall Cladding?
It is a durable and aesthetic way to add depth and personality to your walls. The process involves adding layers of stone or strips as a covering to your wall’s surface. The pieces are attached using a strong adhesive. This process is popularly used in residential and commercial spaces. Along with aesthetic benefits, it provides durability, thermal insulation, noise protection and protection against weather elements.
External Wall Cladding
Exterior wall cladding is an outstanding way to enhance the architectural design of your property while also creating a stunning first impression of your home. It can be made using various natural stone materials such as Limestone, Sandstone and Slatestone. Natural stone Wall cladding looks spectacular and provides functional benefits such as insulation and soundproofing.
Interior Wall Cladding
Interior wall cladding designs can turn plain boring walls into a work of art. With its unique pattern and texture, it can add depth and personality to your walls. It is a popular way to liven up your living rooms, dining areas and bedroom walls.
Bathroom Wall Cladding
Stone wall cladding, when used in a bathroom space, protects your walls from water and moisture damage. They are high on the style quotient and give a stunning look to bathroom areas. They are easy to clean and maintain making them an ideal choice. The only thing to take care of is sealing them periodically. This will keep them looking great for a long time.
Kitchen Wall Cladding
Kitchen wall cladding is all the rage among busy homeowners owing to their minimum maintenance needs. Limestone and Slatestone are popular choices to add texture and a dash of colour to your neutral wall design. Stone wall cladding can create a striking look for your backsplash area and looks great behind the sink.
Commercial Wall Cladding
Wall cladding can give a remarkable makeover to any commercial set-up be it corporate offices, upscale hotels or small retail stores. They make an enormous difference to the personality of your space.
Undoubtedly, with its strength, appearance and character, stone wall cladding can accentuate any space inside or outside your property. But its success entirely depends on the quality of the installation process.
Now, step-by-step, let’s discover all about Stone Wall Cladding installation
- Settle on the location
The first step to installing stone wall cladding is deciding where to install it. When used inside, the main objective is to enhance the aesthetics of your living spaces. This can be done by adding a stunning feature wall or creating a partition for your large dining area. For your exterior, it also works as a protective layer from the weather elements. Stone wall cladding is used for outdoor spaces as a beautiful backdrop for a patio or for providing depth to fireplace surrounds.
- Decide the type of stone
Stone wall cladding is available in many natural stone materials such as Limestone, Sandstone and Slatestone. It can also be created using artificial stone made from concrete or other materials, but nothing can beat the beauty and durability of natural stones.
After deciding on the location, you can choose the right stone for your space. For instance, Slatestone or Limestone is well-suited for kitchen areas whereas Sandstone, with its rugged texture beautifully blends with the natural elements to create an organic look for your outdoor spaces. Consider the colour, texture, durability and cost when choosing the stone type.
- Choose the installation method:
The installation method depends on the location of your project or the type of stone you’ve chosen. So, once you’ve made up your mind on those, you can explore the installation methods used for the stone wall cladding application. The methods include Traditional Wall Cladding, Free Style Wall Cladding, Dry Stone Wall Cladding and Stacked Stone Wall Cladding.
- Finalise the design
There are many designs you can explore. You can choose one stone or mix and match different types of stones to achieve your desired look. You can go with a uniform look or choose an asymmetrical pattern to create a unique and striking look. When finalising the design, you must consider the lighting of your space and other design elements such as furniture, décor items and landscape elements. If it’s a low-light area, add some lighting fixtures to bring out the natural textures of the stone.
- Decide if you want to do it as a DIY project or hire a professional installer
While it is a doable DIY project, we recommended hiring a professional to ensure the best-in-class results. A professional can guide you on the right stone for your space, the installation method to go with and above all guarantee that the installation is done correctly.
If you decide to hire a professional, you can sit back, relax and dream of your renovated space.
But, if you’re confident in your capabilities and decide to do it yourself, read on
Know the step-by-step installation process for stone wall cladding
- Measure the area accurately
It is important to measure the area correctly before you begin the installation. Measure the width and height of the space to calculate the square metres of the area to be covered. Deduct any open spaces such as doors and windows from the final measurements. For corners, measure the vertical edges of the door or window frames. After this step, you will have a clear idea of the total number of stones needed for the project.
- Set a strong ground
A solid and stable base is essential for the proper installation of stone cladding. Construct a foundation with either brick or concrete. If using concrete, allow it to settle for at least 6 weeks. A strong foundation is essential to hold the structure. If you’re creating wall cladding over an existing structure, take proper measures to clean, level and reinforce the base material.
- Prepare the area
Stone claddings can stay in place for eternity when the base surface is even and not rough. If your area is not level, scratch-coat to make it even. Ensure the area is free of dust and chemicals such as paint or wax. Also, let the surface completely dry out before proceeding with the next steps.
- Prepare the layout
Before you mount the stones, create a layout to have a pattern ready. This layout will help to adjust the different sizes, textures and colours as well as combine different pieces as desired. It is especially useful for Freestyle Walling design due to the varying thickness and texture of each stone.
- Use a quality adhesive
The durability of the natural stone walling depends on the quality of the adhesive used. There are various types of walling adhesives available. Make sure to choose the one that is suited to your stone requirements. Start applying the adhesive from the corners and slowly move to the centre of the wall. Use a notched trowel to spread the adhesive on the back of the stone and firmly press it to the wall. Make sure the cladding is level using a spirit level. Lastly, remove any extra adhesive using the trowel.
- Fill with grout
Once you’ve set the stones in place, fill the spaces in between with mortar or grout. This will secure the stones. Let the grout dry but not completely harden before scraping along the joints. Using a striking stick to obtain a level and uniform look.
- Seal the stones
The last step is to seal the wall cladding with a quality sealant. This helps to extend its lifespan. Especially if the wall cladding is installed in a damp outdoor area or a space with high humidity. And that's it - you're all set!
The Final Takeaway!
Stone wall cladding gives an exceptionally durable and aesthetically pleasing look to any home or project space. Installing wall cladding successfully is a daunting task. Using premium-quality natural stones, the appropriate installation method and the right installation process, everything matters. However, with patience, attention to detail and hands-on DIY experience, you can achieve the desired results. If you’re not a pro, we strongly recommend that you hire a professional for this job. We hope the tips and techniques mentioned above, will help you to ensure successful and long-lasting results for your stone wall cladding installation.
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*Disclaimer: All information and advice given above in the blog are to the best of our knowledge. Please reconfirm at your end before execution.
