Stone veneer is manufactured stone made to resemble real, natural stone and rock. Adding this stone veneer to interior walls greatly enhances the home's decorative appearance. Installing stone veneer to interior walls remains easier than installing real stone due to the stone veneer's much lighter weight. The strain on the interior structure of the wall is less, resulting in an attractive stone wall which can last for years. The hardest part of installing stone veneer to a wall will be selecting color and style.

1
Attach plastic moisture barrier over the entire surface of the wall area to be covered with painter's tape. Use 2-inch galvanized nails to attach 3.4 expanded metal lath to the wall, over the plastic moisture barrier. Overlap the metal lath joints by 6 inches on all vertical seams, and 2 inches on all horizontal seams. Hammer the nails into the metal lath joints, 6 inches apart on all sides, into the wall studs. Take care to attach the metal lath to the wall where no seams end up at the corners.

2
Mix sand into mortar to create a sand and mortar cement mix according to the mortar package instructions. Use the smooth side of a notched trowel to apply a very thin layer of the sand and cement mortar mix. The mortar mix layer must be very thin, but still cover the metal lath. Apply even pressure so the layer is level.

3
Scratch, or rake, over the mortar mix layer with a hand rake while the layer is still wet. This scratching will aid in adhesion for the stone veneer. Allow the mortar mix layer to dry for 48 hours.

4
Apply a thick layer of mortar---a 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch thick layer---covering the entire back of the stone.

5
Place the stone veneer, starting at the top of wall, on top of the dried mortar mix layer. Push firmly and wiggle the stone back and forth into the wall until the mortar squeezes out from the back of the stone. Repeat this process for the rest of the stone veneer pieces, always working your way down from the top. Allow the mortar to firm up for at least one hour.

6
Push the excess mortar back into the stone veneer joints with the trowel. Use the tip of a rounded handle to smooth the mortar joints. Apply this procedure over the entire surface of the stone wall before proceeding. Allow the mortar to further dry for at least one hour.

7
Brush any mortar on the stone veneer surfaces with a wire brush to remove. Brush the mortar joints with a whisk broom to create a clean and neat appearance.