Whilst many of us love the look of a stone wall, they’re not something we’re always familiar with and this can make their installation seem daunting. This is particularly true because the wall is often quite visible, so you don’t want to muck it up. So that the process is as simple as possible, we have provided some installation tips in the list below.

▪       Material Considerations
It’s important to keep in mind that natural stone will vary in appearance – no two pieces will be exactly the same. Colour, percentage, size and the shape of any markings will also vary. Variations are not flaws – you need to accept any imperfections, as these are the point of the material.

▪       Substrate/Wall Installation
The background structure must be structurally sound and suitable for the stone wall installation. The surface must be even and true; if not, a render should be applied. The surface should also be free from movement, oils, grease, waxes, paint and any other loose contaminating materials.

▪       Control Joints
These should actually be used in a number of areas, including: at internal vertical corners; over weakened plane joints; at junctions between different background materials; at fixtures interrupting the surface; and at all horizontal joints and vertical joints.

▪       Render
If render is used, it should be liquid modified and bonded according to the manufacturer’s instructions. It should be finished no thicker than 20mm and no single coat should be less than 8mm or more than 16mm. Render should be allowed to fully cure before applying the stone.

▪       Adhesive Selection
We recommend the use of synthetic tile adhesives for the installation of your wall. In some environments, fast setting adhesives should be used to ensure that the structure doesn’t collapse. No matter the product, ensure that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

▪       Weather Considerations
You should avoid installing the stone in extreme weather conditions or if rain is expected. It’s a good idea to also avoid installation on very hot days (over 30oC), as this can cause delamination issues between the paver and the adhesive (or bedding) layer.

▪       Waterproofing
Drainage design and waterproofing should be considered prior to the installation of stone walls. We recommend applying a waterproofing membrane to the substrate to help assist with efflorescence and other moisture related problems.

▪       Pools, Water Features & Coastal Regions
In certain environments, it is appropriate to dip seal the stone (meaning all six sides of the paver). You should use a consolidator sealant, which will help to protect the material in situations where it is exposed to salt water. This is important in areas where water exposure is consistent.

Whilst we hope that you found the above installation tips useful for the construction of your stone wall, it should be noted that the process may vary from site to site due to varying conditions. If you have an expert looking after the installation for you, they will be able to determine the best way to proceed and be able to offer suggestions for any obstacles.

Yarrabee & Castlemaine is a leading stone supplier in Melbourne, Australia. We offer wide range of Bluestones at Best prices.