Important Versetta Stone Install Details

Versetta Stone is a great product for the DIYer but there are some key details you have to know to get a good install.

[@MrKAO1865]

Just did an install of this stuff on an interesting shaped building (12-sided, so all outside mitered corners). a few thoughts to some of the comments I've seen here: -Like you said, get used to the imperfections. Its a cast concrete product so there are going to be inconsistencies. I found that your starting row is super important to a good install. Don't be afraid to chip the flanges off or grind at the bottoms of the panels if you have a bowed piece that won't seat right. -The starter strips are really handy. Each panel is probably 15 lbs or so, so not having to hold it up while trying to screw is nice. -Because the faces of the stone are inconsistent with each other, mitred corners are just not going to match perfectly. If it really bothers you, Versetta makes a "caulking" that matches the stone color and consistency so you can get rid of the inevitable gaps that will show up. -USE YOUR LEVEL! It's really easy to get out of level if you aren't checking each piece, and you wont realize until you get to your siding and the whole stone cladding is an inch out over the length of a wall. Snapping lines (preferably set with a laser) is crucial to a good install. -A cold chisel works really well to chip the flanges. -An angle grinder with a 4in masonry blade came in handy for fine work. -Remember, this product is an budget friendly ALTERNATIVE to masonry work. The overall aesthetic is nice though. If you want the real thing (real rock, mortar, nice edges, etc.) you are going to pay for it. -WEAR A MASK, EARMUFFS AND EYE PROTECTION when cutting this stuff. It's concrete, and the silica dust is really bad for you. Overall a really cool product. Easy and straightforward to install for beginners. It achieves the look a lot of people are going for at a price that won't make you crap yourself. Don't be afraid to dive in and try an install yourself, it really isn't an intimidating product. Good video, thanks for posting.

[@ncbarndobuild]

Thanks for the info. Great stuff to pass along. Totally agree with every point. Pay attention to the small details and anyone can end up with a great looking install.

[@amnun11]

Great job and I learned a lot thank you very much. you the expert.

[@ncbarndobuild]

I am glad the video helped. Thanks for watching.

[@nickbrenneman4100]

Thanks man what a fantastic video we are in the process of building a house. I’m debating on doing the versetta Stone or having somebody install a different style stone. I think you sold me on the versetta Stone. I can do it myself. And you should definitely do the porch columns And make a video of that

[@ncbarndobuild]

Thanks for the watch and comment! The product is very DIY friendly. As you know just pay attention to the small details and you will end up with a great install. Let me know how it goes. I am curious as to what you think after digging in.

[@calvinkoontz485]

Great final fit under the windows. What is the window seal framing height? And or measurement from bottom of stone to top of top finish stone?

[@ncbarndobuild]

Window sills were set at 36” above the concrete foundation with a laser. Stone height was just slightly less than that due to the fact that I dropped the starter strip (j channel) below the top of the foundation. The stone is roughly 36” tall give or take. Remember Versetta stone is not a perfect product. You will have some slight variations on height.

[@rayyzz-m3h]

Hey great video! I like the way you explain in detail. Where did you get the wainscot sills? Seems like no one has them in stock.

[@ncbarndobuild]

I had to order all of the stone. Most building supply stores in my area have very little stock however anyone that carries Versetta stone should be able to order the sills.

[@duck-n-cover477]

Ever installed Versetta along a sloped grade? Everybody shows this stuff on a level grade.

[@ncbarndobuild]

Sorry I have not.

[@kevinstearns2071]

My concern is the screws, if water gets behind the stone water hits the screw now it can get behind you're water barrier and there is a problem. Do they have pre made inside and outside corners really don't like that look of butting them looks weird. I normally when doing stacking stone miter the corners if they do not have pre made one's.

[@ncbarndobuild]

They do not have prefab corners. The panels are not a uniform thickness so I am not sure how it would look if you try to miter them. If you don't like the corners this probably isn't the product for you. The kick-out flashing I put on top of the capstone will direct most of the water from above away from the wall. This is a must in my opinion for water management.

[@FranciscoGonzalez-ro7ht]

A few water drops a year won't harm anything. Just saying

[@IRONHORSEhomes]

nice work

[@ncbarndobuild]

Thanks for the comment and watching!

[@danmattioda3991]

Awesome job! How many square feet did you average in an hour? It looks like it’s pretty time consuming.

[@ncbarndobuild]

Yes it is time consuming trying to get a good fit sometimes. I might swap 4-5 pieces out before I find one I like. If I recall maybe 4 days roughly to finish this project.

[@GForceFitness1]

Which color Versetta Stone did you use? Also, have you noticed any fading of the color on the stone you installed on your garage? Wondering how durable the hand-painted finish is in your experience.

[@ncbarndobuild]

Color is Sterling and the cut is ledgestone. The color is very durable. The south side of the house has new panels mixed with a pallet of panels that was outside uncovered for almost a year and you cannot tell. I will take a picture and post it on the community page for you too see.

[@GForceFitness1]

Thank you. I've been trying to find information or reviews on the long-term durability of Versetta Stone and was concerned about the color fading over time due to it being hand-painted. Glad yours is holding up so well.

[@alejandroacosta9521]

Can u put them over stucco or would i have to take off stucco wall?

[@ncbarndobuild]

I have never worked with stucco but I do know it can be used as a scratch coat for mortared stone. That makes me think it would probably be ok as long as you could get the fasteners into the framing.

[@tonyaiello6463]

How do you do an inside corner?

[@ncbarndobuild]

I have yet to do an inside corner. The directions say to do it the same way as an outside corner and stager the seams with universal corners and flats.

[@Brian-cu7dm]

Do you need to caulk the gap betweeen the stone sill and the window?

[@ncbarndobuild]

I do a steel flashing detail around the window and use silicone along with the flashing to help with water management. Those details will be in the next video. Hoping to get that video out soon.

[@Brian-cu7dm]

@@ncbarndobuild ok thanks. Your work looks great. I'm also curious about the gap and no caulk on the horizontal ends. I understand that water that gets back there can drain, but wouldn't caulking the gap on the left and right ends helps reduce the amount of water that gets behind?

[@ncbarndobuild]

Not sure I follow. Are you talking the gap between the capstone pieces?

[@Brian-cu7dm]

@@ncbarndobuild I mean the gap between the end of the panels and the J channel,( or in your case the wood trim around the door)

[@ncbarndobuild]

Ok I am with you now. Yes I suppose you could caulk that area to help with water management. If the door was not under roof and I didn’t have 2 good WRB layers of protection I would of considered using the J-channel with silicone between that and the brick mold.