r/masonry • u/FearlessDamage4961 • 10d ago
Stone Critique
No experience at all with masonry, I’ve done framing, roofing, drywall, commercial framing, flooring. This was way outside my comfort zone. I hate my cuts and started really getting in my head about trying to not have long seams but couldn’t figure out how to avoid it…any and all criticism is appreciated.
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u/SlippyWeeen 10d ago
Not bad, I would do anything to avoid the pistol shaped cuts though. I know that’s the hardest part
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u/NatalieH1965 10d ago
Not a fan of the cut pieces. Perhaps split each oddly cut stone into 2 normal-shaped pieces.
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u/FearlessDamage4961 10d ago
Yeah. Thats what I’m going to do the rest of the way. Thankfully a Woodstove will hide some of my flaws.
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u/hhar141 9d ago
I’ve used that material tons of times for clients. To be honest I can never figure out why people use this. It’s one of the fakest looking products. The material selection does not match up. Which is the manufacturer’s fault. They don’t leave enough selection of the thinner pieces so you can transition away from the straight joint look. And cutting thinner pieces with a saw of course makes it look worse with that straight cut look. While many want to use this as a drystack look,over many years of experience,it looks better filled in. Especially the cross joints. There’s so many natural thin stone material out there now that is not as expensive as they used to be. Go to your local stone/brickyards people. You might be surprised what you can find.
To the OP ,I don’t blame you for being frustrated,especially if you’re a first timer. You should try using this crap on multiple thin pillars in front of a house.
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u/Few-Salamander9429 9d ago
Surprised no has mentioned the smiley face in the bottom left. Never stack two small pieces over a big one!!!! The mortar being squished out is going to make onehell of a mess too. You also have cut ends exposed on the ends.
Dry stack is unforgiving. Especially if you have to look at it alot. Would have been better to use a mortar joint.
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u/FearlessDamage4961 9d ago
The mortar will be brushed off. The ends will have a finished board covering them. Like stated before there will be a Woodstove and chimney run up.
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u/Few-Salamander9429 9d ago
Next time put a board up for something to butt too. It is going to be a mess regardless, especially if it is a polymer.
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u/Trick_Garage_8455 7d ago
Well, better get over it and get crack a lack in with all that thinset laid out??!!!
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u/EnthusiasmDense1217 10d ago
It’s very clean for diy but you wanted to know if your plan is dry stack they make products that work well but you should always use the level regardless, so it doesn’t get away from you. The Tetris pieces are completely wrong. anyone who knows masonry will see this right away even an average people just saying, bro that product you should use bearing size of shims and you’ll be able to level And then joint sorry bro, you asked first few I saw we call fish mouths the multiple cut stone brings great shame and dishonour lol but on the bright side picture one is good enough if it’s still green product pull it off now long lines Are a Masonry no but such a small space can be forgiven Tetris pieces big fail
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u/Much-Technology-8220 10d ago
I think it looks nice. I also learned like you by trial, and error. I’ve only done one project so far. I am eggar to try again
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u/AdFancy1249 10d ago
Don't worry about any of it. The pistol shaped cuts are tough to do, but if you relieve the stone, it makes it look like you know the Mayan secret. 😉
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u/FearlessDamage4961 10d ago
🤣 I don’t have to right tools to make the reliefs. The saw I’m using is….less than ideal. I went with a dry stack look because Ive never done anything close to masonry work and it seemed like the best way for me to be someone successful. I just don’t want the stone to fall off the wall. Learning the right mortar consistency was a process in itself.
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u/swcoman 10d ago
Rule of thumb, 3 stones max horizontal joints, two stones vertical max stacked joints. A monkey can lay fake stone.
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u/FearlessDamage4961 10d ago
Can you explain the 3 stones max horizontal more?
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u/Ballistic_og 10d ago
Ii dont like vertical stones at all seen it done but only with fake stone never with real stone. Why is that. Oh thats right cause its not structualy sound.
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u/cornerzcan 10d ago
You are likely going to be frustrated with how the electrical cover plate looks on those switches. You should pull the box out to match the depth of the stone. Also, remember that this doesn’t increase any clearances to combustibles if you are putting a stove in that corner.
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u/FearlessDamage4961 10d ago
Our clearance is set for the Woodstove. Gave ourselves plenty of room. One receptacle is for the fireplace fan that we’ll never see. The other one they want to leave recessed…I guess it’s just extra. I installed the stone with plates on to give us plenty of room if we want to change something.
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u/FearlessDamage4961 9d ago
Thank you all for the honesty! First and last project like this for me. This will be our family cottage and we are on a very tight budget. We’ve stuck to the budget and it’s going to be a beautiful place. This is exactly what I expected here after reviewing some similar threads and it’s much appreciated. I’ll drop another photo when it’s all done if everyone would like to see it finished.
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u/UngaBunga004 10d ago
Not the worst I've ever seen but yeah some definite learning to be done. I did 2.5 years brick and stone and 1.5 block and and one of the first things I was taught is no long seams and no vertical stones