Cultured Stone Accents and Wainscot
Cultured stone adds the weight and texture of natural rock to a front wall, porch column or wainscot without a full masonry wall. We install it over the drainage layers it needs so the wall behind it stays dry.
Cultured Stone, Start to Finish
Cultured stone, also called manufactured stone veneer, is a lightweight cast stone that is stuck to the wall with mortar. It is a common choice for wainscot along the bottom of a house, porch columns, a front gable or the face of a garage. It pairs well with vinyl or LP siding above it and gives a plain front a solid, built look. Because it is adhered and not stacked, it does not need a brick ledge or its own footing like full stone.
The risk with stone veneer is water. Mortar and stone soak up rain, and if that moisture cannot drain out, it sits against the sheathing. Westlake Royal, which makes Cultured Stone brand veneer, calls for two layers of water-resistive barrier on wood framing, metal lath fastened into the framing and a weep screed at the base so water has a way out. Skipped steps here are what cause rotted walls behind good-looking stone.
We plan stone together with your siding, windows and gutters. The siding stops on a clean trim line or sill, the stone sits the right height above the ground and the downspouts empty away from it. See how stone fits with our siding installation and repair work, and read signs you need new siding if you are weighing a bigger project at the same time.
What a cultured stone install includes
- Layout and stone style chosen with you
- Two layers of water-resistive barrier on framing
- Weep screed at the base for drainage
- Metal lath and a mortar scratch coat
- Stone set and joints finished
- Clean transition to siding and trim
Where stone looks right
Most people use stone as an accent, not the whole house. A wainscot across the front, wrapped porch columns, a section around the front door or the face of a garage are the usual choices. That puts stone where it does the most for curb appeal and keeps the project a reasonable size. Stone also takes bumps from mowers and snow shovels along the bottom of a wall well. We take on stone accents for homeowners across the Des Moines area, and Luke will walk the house with you to mark where it would sit.
Clearances and drainage
Stone should not sit in the dirt or on the driveway. Westlake Royal's guidance puts the weep screed 4 inches above grade, or 2 inches above a paved surface. That gap lets the wall drain and keeps the stone from wicking water up from the ground. It also means soil and mulch beds may need to come down in spots. Downspouts matter too. Point them away from stone so the base is not soaked every storm, and keep sprinklers off the wall.
Weight, cold and timing
Stone, mortar and lath together can weigh up to 25 pounds per square foot, per Westlake Royal, so the lath has to be fastened into the framing. Mortar also needs to stay above freezing while it cures. In Polk County, Iowa State Extension puts the median last spring freeze near April 22 and the median first fall freeze near October 10, so we plan stone work for the warmer months between those dates. Call over the winter to get on the spring schedule.
Cultured Stone Questions
Not seeing yours? Call or text (515) 901-3646 and ask Luke.
Luke, Jaxx & Larry
A family business, third generation. Luke runs every estimate himself and Jaxx works the jobs with him. Larry, the shop dog, mostly supervises.
Is cultured stone the same as real stone?
No. Cultured stone, or manufactured stone veneer, is cast to look like natural rock but is thinner and lighter. It is adhered to the wall with mortar over lath instead of stacked on a footing. From the street it reads as stone, and it is far lighter than full masonry.
Can cultured stone go over existing siding?
Not over vinyl or lap siding. That section of siding has to come off so the barrier layers, lath and weep screed can go on the wall itself. That is why stone is easiest to add during a re-side, when the wall is already open.
Why does stone veneer cause water damage on some houses?
Usually because water got trapped. When the second barrier layer, the weep screed or the gap above grade is skipped, moisture held in the mortar and stone cannot drain and soaks the sheathing. Follow the maker's drainage steps and keep downspouts pointed away, and the wall can stay dry.
How high above the ground should stone veneer start?
Westlake Royal's guidance puts the weep screed at the base of the stone 4 inches above soil, or 2 inches above a paved surface like a driveway or patio. Your city or the maker of the stone you choose may set its own rules, so check the instructions for that product.
Can cultured stone be installed in an Iowa winter?
Mortar needs to stay above freezing while it cures, so stone is mostly a warm-month job here. In Polk County the median last spring freeze is around April 22 and the first fall freeze around October 10, per Iowa State Extension. We plan stone work inside that window.
How a Job Runs
Call or Text
Overflowing gutters, tired siding, a drafty window or an addition you have been planning. Tell us what is going on.
Free Estimate
Luke comes out, looks at the house, measures, and walks you through your options in plain words.
A Clear Plan
You get a written estimate and a straight recommendation. No pressure and no runaround.
Install Day
Our crew does the work and keeps the job site clean while we are there.
Walkthrough
We walk the finished job with you and make sure everything is right before we leave.
Cultured Stone Near You
Our shop is in Mitchellville. Pick your town, or call and ask if we cover it.
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Call or text Luke, or send a few details. Estimates are free, and you get a straight answer on what the house needs.