How to Install Thin Stone Veneer – 3. Preparing Your Substrate

For a wood-framed home, we first recommend installing a cement board onto the plywood to protect the wood from moisture and rot.

When installing on concrete, a barrier may not be necessary, but we do recommend a metal lath if the surface isn’t perfectly flat.

Next, we recommend applying Laticrete MVIS Air and Water Barrier close to the time of installation. This process is as simple as painting.

Once dried, apply a second coat. It will turn from a light green to a dark green when it’s dry.

If you’re installing veneer on the exterior of a building or home around windows or doors, we’ll need to add Laticrete Waterproofing, Anti-fracture Membrane Fabric to all openings.

First, apply a layer of Laticrete MVIS Air & Water Barrier followed by a strip of Laticrete Waterproofing, Anti-fracture Membrane Fabric, then another layer of MVIS Air and Water Barrier over the fabric.

Once this layer is dry, complete one final coat of MVIS Air and Water Barrier over the entire wall.

If you’re using metal lath, affix it to the uneven concrete according to industry standards. Then lay Laticrete MVIS High Bond mortar in layers building your substrate up to a flat surface to install the veneer stone.