Installing Stone Cladding - It’s Not as Challenging as You Might Think

As stone cladding grows in popularity, more people are looking to take advantage of it and improve the look of their home. Furthermore, people are now looking at installing it themselves because they want to make savings and still benefit from all that stone cladding offers.

So, when it comes to fitting stone cladding, it is important to recognise that it does take time, it will require precision and an element of skill. However, if you are fairly capable at DIY and have the time and precision then there is no reason why you cannot take this job on yourself, so let’s take a look at what is involved.

Cutting Stone Cladding

Before you begin installing your stone cladding, it makes sense to cover how it is cut so it fits the required design. To undertake this task correctly, you will need certain equipment and you will need a wet saw. Some of these models will come with a fixed blade while the other might have a moveable tray although both versions will make it possible to cut each piece. You should look to purchase a diamond-tipped blade as this will enable you to achieve a cut that is clean and precise.

The amount of work involved will depend on the area you are covering. If the wall is clean, only the pieces near the corner will need to be trimmed. However, if there are power outlets or other fixtures such as pipes and light switches then more cutting will be required. For those kinds of cuts, you will need an angle grinder but one thing to be sure of is your safety. Make sure you wear a dust mask, goggles and some ear protection.

Fitting Stone Cladding

Now that you have sharpened your knowledge of cutting stone cladding, you can move onto the stage of installing it.

Before you begin, you will need to prepare the surface. This means removing any grease, oil, paint or debris as this will give you a firm subsurface. Once clean and dry, you can then begin to apply the primer and allow it to dry. Once this has dried, you can begin to mix your adhesive and this is where you should opt for a cement-based adhesive. 

The process is very similar to fitting standard tiles and so, you should start from the bottom and work up. The first bottom row is crucial as this will need to be level and will create a baseline for the remaining pieces. You can either apply the adhesive to the back of the stone cladding or you can opt to apply it directly to the wall and then fix the cladding to it. Each piece will need to be pushed gently in place so it can embed itself into the adhesive.

 With corder slips these are sold in packs containing enough slips to cover 1 linear meter in height, always install the corner slips first.

So, that is the process of installing stone cladding and for some, it will be a task that is relatively straightforward. Remember to take your time and you will have a look and finish that you can be proud of.