Installing river rock question
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The Pacifier
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,245
Likes: 7
From: Cloverdale, BC
Installing river rock question
Hey people. I have a question regarding manufactured river rock, and how to install it to a fire place.
My wife got a masonry contractor to come in and give us a quote to do our fireplace in manufactured stone. Basically $700 for materials, and another 5 - 600 for labour. So the contractor told us where to get the materials from, and he would come in and install it for us. But my wife, being as smart as she is, figured that since we know where to get the material, I should just install it myself.
No biggie, I've just never done masonry before. So, does anyone know of a website I can look up, or link to, to find the "ins and outs" of installing this stuff? Or any masonists (masonwrights?) with any tips? Or even a book title would help.
Thanks in advance.
My wife got a masonry contractor to come in and give us a quote to do our fireplace in manufactured stone. Basically $700 for materials, and another 5 - 600 for labour. So the contractor told us where to get the materials from, and he would come in and install it for us. But my wife, being as smart as she is, figured that since we know where to get the material, I should just install it myself.
No biggie, I've just never done masonry before. So, does anyone know of a website I can look up, or link to, to find the "ins and outs" of installing this stuff? Or any masonists (masonwrights?) with any tips? Or even a book title would help.
Thanks in advance.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,221
Likes: 3
I did a search on Amazon.com and came up with these results:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/se...693058-0704910
Did a google search, and one of the sites that came up has another big list of DIY books on masonry:
http://www.growinglifestyle.com/us/p...elf_-_Masonry/
That's all I can really come up with. Let's see some pics when you're all done with the installation.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/se...693058-0704910
Did a google search, and one of the sites that came up has another big list of DIY books on masonry:
http://www.growinglifestyle.com/us/p...elf_-_Masonry/
That's all I can really come up with. Let's see some pics when you're all done with the installation.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 723
Likes: 0
From: Lolo Montana
On plywood you start with felt paper and then a metal mesh used for masonary. The mesh should have a angle to it. Mount the mess so the angle part is facing down. Roofing nails will hold fine. This will hold the motar better. After you have applied the mortar all over using a trowel with grooves in it. Let it dry. Do not make the mortar smooth. Start on the corners with the rock that is design for corners. Apply mortar on the back of the rock and twist into place. Try to visilize the placement of the rock as you put it up so that you don't have to go out and find a lot of little rocks to fill the voids. If this is a new house, you may want to leave about a 2" gap at the top for settleing. Log house's will settle and break the rock at the top. You can add color to the mortar that you will use to go in between the rocks. It makes for a better look than just grey. You can do it just as easy as a contractor.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
Likes: 15
From: BC, Canada
Joe we are planning on doing the same thing, maybe this winter. Maybe once you're done you'll have some good pointers for me 
Take a look at http://www.culturedstone.com/ for some info and instructions.
Take a look at http://www.culturedstone.com/ for some info and instructions.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 723
Likes: 0
From: Lolo Montana
You can leave it a little loose if you like. If to loose, the weight can pull away from the structure. As long as the mesh is in a down ward angle (looks like if you make a cup with your hand and have the palm in an upward postion) it should not make a difference. So far, I have not had any rock fall off on any of the jobs that I had worked on. I got a chance to work with a company that makes and installs custom rocks out of Hamilton Montana. If any body would like to know how to get ahold of them let me know. A great company.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,628
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From: South...
I'm about 6 hours away from having my rock wall done on the front of my new family room (converted our main level 2-car garage) - I installed a set of 3-pane Pella doors my uncle gave me and (my wife) decided to put rock up on either side of the doors out to each edge of the now-family-room. I started it summer of 03 and am just now finishing it up - yes I'm a procrastinator...but honestly have had a lot of things get in the way.
Anyway, I did pretty much as has been described - put up felt paper over the OSB, then mesh lathe from Lowes, then mortar/mortar cement mixed together (got that tip while at Lowes from someone who rocks for a livin').
Now I've just got about 8-12 more rocks to set and I'll be ready to fill in the rest of the mortar in-between...and call it DONE!
Scott
Anyway, I did pretty much as has been described - put up felt paper over the OSB, then mesh lathe from Lowes, then mortar/mortar cement mixed together (got that tip while at Lowes from someone who rocks for a livin').
Now I've just got about 8-12 more rocks to set and I'll be ready to fill in the rest of the mortar in-between...and call it DONE!
Scott
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 723
Likes: 0
From: Lolo Montana
If you can send some photo's of the completed job. I know what you mean about starting something and taking awhile to finish. I have wrote all over my bedroom walls what needs to be removed and what needs to stay to enlarger our bedroom. About a year ago.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,628
Likes: 0
From: South...
My rock is NOT manufactured - it's sandstone that the previous homeowner had used to surround the pool in my back yard. He had also used it to do the exposed portion of the basement around basement garage doors and the rear of the basement below the screened-in deck. So I decided to continue the theme, removing rock from around the pool and using it on the exterior of the family room.
Anyway...I finished the rock work Friday. I still need to finish the mortar work between the rocks. I took a photo this morning but can't post it to a gallery since it's not truck related, so if you'd like to see it, then pm or email me with your email address and I'll send the photo.
Regards,
Scott
Anyway...I finished the rock work Friday. I still need to finish the mortar work between the rocks. I took a photo this morning but can't post it to a gallery since it's not truck related, so if you'd like to see it, then pm or email me with your email address and I'll send the photo.
Regards,
Scott
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