Concealed Screw Attachment of StonePly Stone Panels
GENERAL
Installers should be craftsmen with construction experience. Installers should read the instructions. Follow all OSHA and other safety requirements. StonePly panels are a finished natural stone product. Use care to protect them during installation. These are general guidelines for installing StonePly stone panels from the face side. If access to the back of the stud wall is available, then screwing through the studs to the panels may be possible.INSTALLING SUPPLIES
- Plastic glazier shims: U shaped shims 1/16", 1/8"and ¼" thick x 2 ½" long minimum.
- No. 8 Tek Screws, Philips Head
- Masking Tape
- Structural Silicone: Dow Corning 795 or equal
INSTALLING TOOLS
- Screw Guns
- Locking C-Clamps (Vise Grips)
- Drill and bits
- 48" Level & 24" Level
- Circular Saw with dry cut diamond tipped blade. (Use a smooth rim blade for smooth cuts)
- Glaziers pry bar to pry stone panels when shimming. (a screw driver can be used)
- Suction cups for handling polished or honed stone panels
FRAMING CONSTRUCTION
Steel stud or furring should be true and plumb and must have a maximum deflection limited to L/240, and not to exceed allowable stresses. Lateral support and bridging should be installed. Do not rely on the StonePly stone panels to provide lateral support for wall framing.
The steel stud framing should have a maximum variation from a true plan of 1/8 inch in 10 feet. Correct any defects prior to proceeding with stone panel installation. Framing studs must be located with studs at panel joint locations.
PANEL STORAGE & STAGING
Store stone panels in a clean dry area. As the StonePly stone panels are removed from the packaging crates, they should be placed on carpet, foam or other padding to protect the stone edges. Keeping the stone panels clean and organized will speed installation. While StonePly panels are strong and impact resistant, keep in mind that they are a finished product. The natural stone facing can be chipped at the edges and softer stones can be scratched. Limestone, marble travertine and other softer stones can be stained by dirt, mud or construction materials. Some care should be used in staging the stone panels. By arranging the panels in the order needed for installing, productivity of the installation is improved.
INSTALLING
- Use the shop drawings, tape and laser level to mark the exact positions of panels on the wall. Check to ensure that each panel edge will have framing support.
Using a laser, find the most outward point of the framing. This will be the installing “plane", as all other panels will need to be shimmed out to that level. Use string lines or a rotating laser set at least two inches from the most outward point of the framing as a reference line to measure back from to establish the plane for all of the StonePly stone panel faces. - Start with the bottom row of stone panels and work up. Lay panel facedown and attach the anchor plates to the back of the panel with screws.
- Set stone panel in place, lean it forward and apply a walnut sized glob of structural silicone, 24" on center to the framing members at the center of the stone panel.
- Hold the stone panel in place, and clamp with the padded C clamps, to the framing. Shim as needed.
- Screw the anchor plates to the framing.
- Installation can progress vertically or horizontally depending on how the stone panels are lain out. Use care when aligning stone panel joints, shimming as necessary. Use the C clamp to hold the StonePly stone panel in place while screwing the anchors to the framing.
Disclaimer and Warning:
These are general guidelines, not full instructions. Every job is different and a competent, experienced professional, skilled in construction, carpentry, safety and proper use of tools should direct the work.
