Interlocking Channel 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.
INSTALLING SUPPLIES
- Glazier's horseshoe shaped plastic shims 1/16", 1/8" & ¼" thick by 2 1/2" long.
- No. 10 Tek Screws with a Hex-Head
- Masking Tape
- Spray mixture of 75% water and 25% mild dish soap
- Interlocking Channels
INSTALLING TOOLS
- Screw Gun
- Pliers to cut shims
- Drill and bits
- 48" Level & 24" Level
- Circular Saw with dry cut diamond tipped blade (marble or granite smooth rim blade)
- Thin glazier’s pry bar (to pry panels when shimming)
- Dead Blow Mallet
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.
- Starting with the bottom row, position the interlocking channel sections as indicated by the shop drawings. Using C Clamps, clamp the interlocking channel section into place on the steel framing and then screw the sections into the steel studs. Do not exceed a maximum of 24" on center between steel studs.
- Start with the bottom row of stone panels and work up. Lay panel facedown and attach the interlocking channels to the back of the panel with screws as indicated by the shop drawings.
- Use spray mixture to clean off the interlocking channels and aid with installation.
- 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.
- 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 installing other panels.
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.
