Whether you're putting up new siding or replacing the old, you'll have many
options to choose from. Faux stone and brick siding are two of the nicest
options available, giving your home a high-class look without having to build
real brick or
stone walls.
Here are some pros and cons of these types
of siding:
Pros
- Stone and brick siding offer a more distinguished and natural look than
other types of siding.
- These types of siding are extremely durable, often lasting several
lifetimes.
- There is little maintenance necessary with stone or brick, since they don't
require paint.
- Stone and brick offer a higher degree of insulation than most other types of
siding.
Cons
- While you most likely won't ever have to replace brick or stone siding,
their initial cost is much higher than the alternatives.
- They take much more time and effort to install than other types of
siding.
Installation of these types of siding is not an easy
task--there's no shame in leaving the job to the professionals. However, if
you're an experienced do-it-yourselfer or you just want to know more about the
process, read on to learn a little more about the installation of brick and
stone siding.
Brick Siding Installation
Gather the following materials:
- Brick veneer siding (enough to cover your home)
- Galvanized screws
- Screwdriver
- Construction adhesive
- Caulk
- Caulking gun
- Hand saw
- Sandpaper
- Crowbar
Steps for installation:
- Remove the old siding (if there is any). Unscrew it, if it's screwed into
place, and then pry it off with the crowbar.
- Underneath the siding, you should find a protective covering called a vapor
barrier, which protects the structure of the house from moisture. Inspect this
for damage and repair or replace it if necessary.
- Apply construction adhesive to one sheet of siding at a time before screwing
each one into place with the galvanized screws. Start from the bottom and work
your way up, making sure each piece is even. The sheets should interlock with
each other, virtually seamlessly.
- When doing corners, you'll want to cut the connecting pieces of siding at
45-degree angles so that they will interlock better and leave you with clean
corners.
- Fill in any visible screw holes or gaps between the siding and windows with
caulk that matches the color of the bricks.
Installing Stone Siding
Gather the following materials:
- Faux stone siding (enough to cover your house)
- Chicken wire (wire lath)
- Heavy duty staple gun and staples
- Galvanized screws
- Stud finder
- Screw gun
- Masonry mortar
- Trowel
Steps for installation:
- Remove the old siding and inspect the vapor barrier as mentioned above.
- Install chicken wire over the vapor barrier (this gives the mortar for the
siding something to stick to).
- Overlap each section of chicken wire by about two inches and screw them into
studs (which can be found with the stud finder), using galvanized screws. The
screws should be placed at six-inch intervals, but additional screws can be
added to make sure the wire is secure.
- Mix a batch of mortar and apply it to the wall with the trowel.
- Scratch up the surface of the mortar before it dries.
- Let it sit for about 24 hours to dry before you begin putting up the rock
panels
- Apply about an inch of mortar to one sheet at a time and then press each one
firmly into place. Clean off any extra mortar that squeezes through the cracks.
- Allow another 24 hours for the mortar to dry, and then your siding will be
complete!