Male1: The family building this ranch style house in the Texas Hill Country wants the look of natural stone but they want stone that can be installed quickly and economically. They chose a stone veneer made by Lone Star Stone. To keep with the house theme of Texas Tuscan, the owner selected a style to go with their red clay tower roof. Manufactures of stone fairly new material and it has really become popular in the last 10 years.
The lightweight permits easy installation over nearly any existing or new surface. If the wall surface is clean brick, block, concrete, or other masonry surface, no surface preparation is necessary. If the wall surfaces are none masonry the crew prepares the wall surface with a paper barrier and then attaches a galvanized metal lap. Then they apply a mortar coat which is allowed to set. This scratch coat is a thin layer of cement masonry. The installers then begin attaching the stone to the wall. The process is more similar when installing ceramic tile and brick, or stones, which are stack on top of each other.
No special tools are or elaborate procedures were needed. Using a mason’s trough, the crew butters each stone applying a half inch thick layer of mortar to the entire back of the stone. They press the stone firmly in the place squeezing the mortar out around the edges. These are general wiggling action while pressing the stone to ensure good bond.
The mortar is mixed using 1 part cement and 3 parts of masonry sand. The installers leave uniform-sized grouter joints around the stone. When fitting stones together, they try to avoid long straight unbroken lines. Because the stone is so light, it doesn’t require special footings or wall ties. Installation time and cost will be considerably less than when using natural stone.
Male2: This Lone Star Stone is actually made out of polymer cement, lightweight aggregates and mineral oxide colorings, which is basically what makes out natural stone. In essence, this is natural stone reformed. Now on averages its anywhere from 1 to 3 inches thick and weighs about 8 to 10 pounds per square foot.
Male1: These stones are cast from hundreds of individual molds which are cast from hundreds of real stones essentially eliminating repetition in a typical application. The unique molding process reproduces the actual shape and texture of any natural stone. The base color is blended throughout the entire stone so the colors become an intrical part of the stone. Color overtones are also applied and integrated into the product during the molding process. The stones are easily trimmed and shaped for a perfect fit using a hatchet, wide-mouthed nippers, or mason’s trough wedge. Straight cuts can be made with a diamond or cardboards saw blade. Cut or broken edges are concealed with mortar when grouting.
After the wall is covered and allowed to dry, the joints are grouted. A grout bag is used to fill the joints with mortar forcing grout into any voids. The mortar joints setup can become firm in about an hour depending on conditions. Then the joints are struck. A wood or metal striking tool forces the mortar into the joints and thoroughly seals the stone edges. At the same time, the tool wakes out the excess mortar to the desired depth.
Finally, the joints are brushed for a finish looked. Loose mortar and mortar spots that have set for a few hours and clean up easily. A whisk broom is used to smooth the joints clean away any loose mortar from the joints and stone face. The result is an impressive handsome exterior that will last a lifetime. For more information on how you can get Lone Star Stone for your new house, visit them in the internet at lonestarstone.com.
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