Applying Mortar to Stone:
Height of mortar in center of 4" or 6"
stones is from ¾" to 1" to zero height on ones side
(See photo left). Smaller stones require a little more motor
proportionately than the larger stones.
NOTE: When applying mortar to a (smaller) 2"
stone, you will use almost as much mortar as you would on a 4"
stone. 4" stones requires just slightly more mortar than a 2"
stone (not twice as much as you would expect).
Remember: Too much mortar can cause
slipping!
NOTE: When installing Random shaped stones (as in River Rock or
Split Fieldstone) apply approximately 3/8" to ½" of mortar to
the entire back of stone. Another option is to apply enough mortar to
middle of stone so that when pressed in to position you will have
approximately 5/16" to 3/16" of mortar on back side. Slipping
and sliding of stones occurs when too much mortar is used. This is
acceptable as long as you work stone into place pushing out excess
mortar.
Applying the Stone to the Wall
Depending on the type of stone, you will begin at
either the top or bottom of the wall.
Push the stone firmly into place and "wiggle" the stone
slightly to set the bond. YOU SHOULD PUSH FIRMLY ENOUGH SO THAT THE
MORTAR IS SQUEEZED OUT AROUND THE EDGES OF THE STONE. If sliding or
slipping occurs, the mortar may be too thin, you may be using too little
mortar, or you may be using too much mortar. Also, if your are using
thin-set, you could be using too much.
Applying Mortar to Large Stones - When
Slipping or Sliding Occurs
If sliding or slipping occurs the mortar may be too thin or you may
be using to little or too much. Larger stones will hold better if mortar
is placed on all edges and a spot in the middle. This technique creates
a vacuum which holds the stone in place until mortar sets which will
for better adhesion.
In general, if you have the right mortar consistency and the surface
is properly prepared, you should only need 3/8" to 1/2" of
mortar covering the entire back side of stone.
There are several methods of applying mortar to back of stones, but
the end result should enough to have some mortar squeezing out of grout
3/16" to a 5/16" of mortar on back of stones if you checked
it.
Deciding how to PLACE THE STONES ON THE WALL:
When applying stone with a grout joint, place it on the
wall 1" away from the grout joint and wiggle it back and forth
sliding it into the desired ½" grout joint. Click
here for Grouting.
Grouted vs. Drystacked
Most of Coronado's products can be either Dry Stacked (no
grout joints) or Grouted.
Products such as Country Castle (that are
recommended to be grouted) are manufactured in modular sizes to
compensate a ½" grout joint.
Example of actual height sizes of Country Castle
are: 1½", 3½", 5½" 7½"
Coronado recommends applying the stones
using a 2 stones off of one stone ratio rule for the "ashlar
pattern." as shown below:
Coronado's
Belgian Castle is made to be Drystacked (containing no
grout joint). These stones are manufactured with even numbered heights
including 1" 2" 3" 4" etc.
Drystacked (no
Grout Joint) - 
The
mason's goal is to minimize long vertical or horizontal grout joints.
A general rule of thumb is that vertical grout joints should not be
higher than two small stones or one large stone. Horizontal
grout joints should not exceed 4 to 6 feet.
Coronado's
stones that are manufactured to be "dry stacked" can be
grouted. Alternatively, stones manufactured to be grouted can be dry
stacked. The consequence of grouting stones that were meant to
be Drystacked are narrow and loose joints because the joints have
not been allowed for like in Belgian Castle.
The
above picture shows the problem of aligning the top and bottom joints
when grouting stones that were manufactured to be Drystacked. Fig.
B is an example of how to correct this problem by using the
"2 on 2" ration pattern.
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