Facing your fireplace with stone veneers enhances the look of your living room and increases the value of your home. You'll get the look of stone without the cost. Stone veneers are half the weight of full stones, so you can apply them without overloading a wall. They are also relatively easy to install. If you are handy around the house, you should be able to handle the installation yourself.

1
Prepare your work area. Remove any furnishings and accessories from around the fireplace. Cover your floor with a protective covering.

2
Lay the stone veneers out on the floor and arrange them in the pattern as you want around your fireplace.

3
Mix your mortar with water in a bucket according to the package directions. Stir it well with a long paint stick.

4
Staple the vapor barrier up on the drywall with the staple gun.

5
Attach the metal lath to the vapor barrier with the staple gun, stapling every 4 to 6 inches.

6
Apply a thin layer of S-type mortar to the metal lath; this is called a scratch coat and will help the stones to adhere to the surface. Let it dry completely.

7
Cut or trim the stones with the circular saw to even the edges and to help maintain uniformity between the joints.

8
Butter the back of each stone with the mortar using the trowel, and press it onto the surface of the scratch coat. Start working from the corners inward. Hold the stone in place for a few minutes until it is set in place.

9
Squeeze mortar between the stones with a mortar bag. Let it set for a couple of hours before cleaning off excess mortar with a stiff brush or whisk broom.