Stone Veneer Ideas

Stone veneer lets you put real stone on a wall without building the wall from solid rock. It is thin enough to set on a solid surface with mortar, yet it has the color and texture of natural stone. Veneer is common on house fronts, columns, fireplaces, seat walls and outdoor kitchens. This guide covers veneer ideas, which stones tend to work, planning and installing basics, and what to bring when you visit the yard.

Veneer design ideas

Veneer works best where it can wrap a whole feature, like a column or a kitchen island, so the edges do not show. Stacked ledge stone gives a clean, modern line. Irregular flat pieces give a rustic, fitted look.

Before choosing, look at the house as a whole. Veneer on a low wainscot band across the front of the house can tie in with walls and columns in the garden. Keep to one or two stones so the look stays calm.

• A stone face on an outdoor kitchen or bar
• Porch columns and entry walls
• The face of a block seat wall or planter
• An outdoor fireplace surround

Which stone works and why

Mini ledge cuts like Gold Rush, River Gray and Sockeye Red Quartzite are thin, stacked strips. Gold Rush is light silver with mica and gold. River Gray is dark charcoal quartzite. Sockeye Red has gold, white and gray with hints of red. Arizona Ledge Sedona Red is deep red sandstone.

Storm Mountain comes in veneer and ledge stone. Lompoc Natural is a cream to golden California stone. Walapai Chocolate is a dense, deep purple-brown stone with white swirls. Patio flagstone, like Silver Amber, can also be used as veneer. See ledge and wall stone and call to check what is in the yard today.

Planning and installing basics

Veneer is often called 1 1/4 inch minus in the trade, meaning no thicker than about 1 1/4 inches. It is hard-set with mortar over concrete or a solid, prepared wall. Davis color can tint the mortar to suit the stone.

Lay out pieces on the ground first to mix colors and sizes before you set them. Our flagstone thickness guide explains the cuts.

Work from the bottom up and keep joints staggered so no long seams line up. Cut pieces with a stone-cutting blade to fit around corners and openings. Cut stone outdoors with a wet saw or water on the blade, and wear eye protection and a dust mask rated for silica. Clean mortar off the face as you go, since it is harder to remove once it sets. Sealing is optional and should wait until the stone and mortar are fully dry.

What to bring when you visit

Measure the wall area in square feet, subtracting doors and windows. Bring photos of the house and the wall, and note what the wall is made of. Staff can suggest stone, mortar, color and tools for the job.