One of the best ways to transform your exterior walls and enhance their look is to install stone tiles. The natural rusty look that stone walls give adds more class to the overall visuals of your home.
Even though many people consult contractors to install stone wall tiles, others take it as a DIY project. They prefer doing it themselves as the scale of work might be small. In this article, we’ll discuss how to install exterior wall stone tiles.
We also have an article on DIY Guide to Glaze Ceramic Tile at Home which we hope you find helpful.
For everyone who’s going to do it themselves, read our comprehensive guide to know everything related to the process.
How To Install Exterior Wall Stone Tiles?
- Before you start the application of stone wall installation, make sure to measure the area and purchase some extra materials like adhesive and primer just in case you make any error or waste the product in difficult corners and cuts.
- Use tiles from various boxes to get a variation of colors. This helps in achieving a natural overall look of the house.
- During and after the process of application, make sure the temperature stays between +5°C to +25°C for at least 48 hours to make sure the results are great.
- Make sure to always read the guide provided by the manufacturer in the cladding and materials packages. This is because every type of tile or surface comes with different usage guidelines.
Preparing the Surface
- Ensure your wall surfaces are conditioned properly and are strong enough before you apply the stone tiles. The surface should be even in structure, free from any loose materials like paints or grease, and dry.
- Use a primer on the surface from a reliable manufacturer.
Bonding the Stone Wall Cladding to the Wall
- Begin the process from the bottom and then the first row of tiles on the surface.
- Now mount a leveling screed using a mason’s level if there’s no even horizontal support for tiles. Ensure the height is not more than the height of one row of tiles above the ground or floor.
- If you want the best results, offset one row of tiles to avoid the vertical alignment of the tiles.
- Use an adhesive and follow the guidelines from the package.
Installation Tips for Installing Exterior Wall Stone Tiles
Stone tiling, also called Stone Walling, creates a visually attractive aesthetic. Be it a garden wall or a feature wall, it transforms the feel of the house effortlessly.
However, the visual aesthetic is not the only measure of the success of exterior wall stone tiling projects. It also depends on the quality of the stone tiles and the process of installation.
1- Measurement
The first and foremost step in the process of installing exterior wall tiles is to measure the area and the total stone tiles required. For flat surface tiles, just multiply the height and width of the area, deducting the space of openings like windows or doors.
This measurement is the total area that needs to be covered. Measure the vertical corners of doors and windows for an estimation of each corner.
2- Solid Foundation
A solid base is also a requirement while installing the stone tiles. We recommend building a base with concrete or bricks. If your base is made of concrete, let it cure for at least 6 weeks.
A strong holding is required for the support of the wall. If you use a poor-quality substrate, it will cost you a lot in the future. If the base already exists, make sure to clean, level, and reinforce it.
3- Prepare the Surface
Preparation of the surface is another requirement before you begin the installation of stone tiles. The surface shouldn’t contain any contaminating material such as wax oil, paint, or debris. You can brush out any extra dirt from the surface or clean the surface with a damp cloth. Then make sure to wait until it’s dry.
4- Prepare the Stone Layout
Before you begin installing the stone tiles on the surface, we recommend preparing a layout of the floor to arrange a pattern. Drawing the pattern on paper won’t be the same as it won’t highlight any issue that you might go through during the installation process.
The ground layout helps in better arrangement of size, color variation, texture, and blending various pieces as you want to.
5- Quality Adhesive
Please know that the durability of the stone tiles will depend on the quality of the adhesive you use. There are various stone tiling adhesives in the market. Purchase the suitable ones for your walling range.
Always begin at the corners and work your way to the middle of the wall. The glue is usually applied on the back of the stone with a notched trowel.
Make sure the surface is clean. Apply the glue evenly to the stone and press it hard against the wall. Check the horizontal leveling of the tiling using a spirit level. Using the trowel, remove any excess adhesive.
6- Grouting
After installing the stone tile wall, use mortar or grout to fill the gaps between the tiles. This will help in sealing and tightening the area around it.
Allow the grout to dry but not firm or it will be difficult to get it out. Scrape around the joints with the striking stick to get a clean, even look.
7- Finish
With a medium bristles brush, dust off your stone wall. The final step in the process is to seal the walling to ensure its longevity. Sealing is required if it is installed in moist areas or bathrooms with high humidity. And you’re done!
Final Words
The stone tiling does wonders for the overall feel of your house. Not only does it strengthen the structure of the house but also enhances the visuals.
The only way to make exterior stone tiles durable is to install them correctly. Follow our tips to help you achieve a flawless wall for not just housing but commercial projects too.
If you’re starting your stone tiling project soon, check out the variety of high-quality tiles on George Ceramics.
FAQs
What Should I Use To Paint The Tiles When I Have To Cut Them?
The best and most effective technique is to take the cut tile to a store that can mix paint and select the color that best represents all of the purchased tiles. Choose the paint that most closely resembles the color of the tiles and get a slightly darker paint.
The greatest results are obtained when painting with a sponge. Just use a sampler, or paint with a 0.25 l capacity, since any decent paint is appropriate for interior uses.
The paint must be adjusted for concrete plaster and adjusted to external walls before being put to the exterior. The paint should only be applied once, with a decisive spray, following the preparation of the bas-relief on the stand (maintenance should be completed before applying adhesive).
No painted area should be repainted. It will leave behind a moist patch that cannot be removed. Even if you apply another layer after 30 seconds, this agent will still not be absorbed because of how quickly it binds. It will stay on top, forming a glassy layer.
The resin hardens the surface and increases its stress resistance. The bas-relief’s color darkens, but it remains consistent and matte (it absorbs more readily and binds more slowly). This method of surface preparation can be cleaned up with a moist cloth.
Click to read our article: Can Tiles Be Painted Over? A Comprehensive Guide
What Should I Do If The Adhesive Binds Too Quickly (After About 15 Minutes In 23°c)?
We recommend adding more water than recommended by the manufacturer on the package.
Parma Tiles Cover The Entire Wall, But Four Of Them Are Only Attached At The Edges. Will They Fall Off?
There are two solutions for this:
- Reapply the tiles after removing them and filing the joint.
- Only fix the tiles where the joints are joined by purchasing white adhesive. The tiles will be secured in place as a result.
Can I Glue Nepal Tiles And Lighter Tiles To Styrofoam? If So, How Can I Do This?
Styrofoam can be installed with front tiles, but you must correctly screw it and apply glue using a high-density mesh (above 180 g) before you can install the tiles.
Can Country Tiles Be Applied In Kitchen Settings, Exposed To Fumes And Potential Dirt, And How Can They Be Effectively Maintained?
After applying Stone Care impregnation, all concrete tiles meant for external uses are suitable for kitchen and bathroom applications, but direct contact with water should be avoided. The surface prepared in this manner can be cleaned with a moist cloth dipped in soap.
In the kitchen, you can also cover surfaces between the cabinet and the worktop with clear plexiglass, such as where spacers are found. It gives both aesthetic visual effects and incredibly powerful protection.
Will The Room Become Quieter If I Apply Tiles On The Walls?
While we cannot promise that taking such steps will completely silence the space, we can say with certainty that the sound will resonate off the walls differently than it would off a surface without tiles.
If you still have any doubts, you can contact us and we have specialists to answer your queries.