GENSTONE INSTALLATION GUIDE

GenStone products are extremely easy to install and require only basic tools. Each application varies somewhat but by following the installation instructions professional results can be achieved by any novice, hobbyist, or contractor. Please read this entire guide before beginning your project. When calculating the amount of GenStone you will need to purchase remember that you will need additional square footage for unique cuts such as gable end walls or areas around windows. A minimum of a 5% of additional square footage is recommended for timely completion of your job. It is also recommended that additional panels be purchased or some scrap pieces are kept in case a repair is needed.

Required tools include: pencil, tape measure, level, caulking gun, utility knife, keyhole saw, screw gun, and circular saw.

Optional tools that might be required on certain installations to insure a better and/or easier job include: a table saw, router or router table, compound miter saw, jig saw, power sander (belt, orbital, oscillating), and a hammer drill for concrete or CMU applications.

MAKE SURE to observe and obey all safety rules and recommendations set forth by tool manufacturers and local, state, and federal authorities for any building project including all applicable building codes.

Measuring and Marking

If you plan on using a circular or hand saw it is best to measure and mark on the back, flat side of the panel. Use a level or other straight edge, pencil or marker, and a tape measure to mark the cut line. If you plan on cutting using a table saw it would be better to mark a point on the panel surface and use the flat side down on the table.

Cutting and Trimming

After following the marking instructions above you are now ready to cut. If you are using a circular saw and you are cutting along the mark on the back you will need to protect the face of the panel as you hold it in place on a smooth flat table. Placing the panel flat side down on the saw works best if using a table saw. For cutting of ledgers and smaller pieces a compound miter saw is best but a hand saw or jig saw will also work. For applications requiring cut outs for items such as hose bibs, electrical plates, or lights mark from the back and then cut out using a keyhole saw, jig saw, or a hole saw on a drill. Because GenStone products are handmade and go through a manufacturing process there are occasionally minor blemishes at the edge of the panels. These are easily corrected by slight trimming with a utility knife or by sanding.

Some installations may require a new negative ship lap edge be cut into a side. This can be done with a table saw, a router or router table, or if neither of these is available a circular saw preferably with a guide. Use a panel to determine the height (on a table saw) or depth (with a circular saw) to set the blade at. This should be equal to the horizontal cut of the shiplap edge (approximately 1"). Once the blade is set, make the cut then reset the height (or depth ) to match the depth cut of the ship lap edge (approximately ½") effectively cutting a rectangle of material out of the corner. A router or router table can also be used to remove this material leaving the new negative ship lap edge.

Application and Prep

GenStone products are designed to be applied to a variety of substrates. These include concrete wall, CMU (cinder block), brick, hard stucco, cement backer boards, OSB, plywood, flat board siding, and drywall. Regardless of the substrate the surface should be clean and free of debris or loose pieces. If your application includes adhesive on the back side make sure that the substrate is free from residues, oils, or any other substance that would cause poor bonding. It is imperative to use a high quality exterior grade screw with adequate composition or coating to attach the panel. GenStone panels have a positive shiplap edge and a negative shiplap edge. The positive shiplap edge is the edge that protrudes from the panel forming a lip. The negative shiplap edge is an under cut in the panel forming a void that the positive edge fits into. The positive edge always needs to go up to the top side.

Before beginning the installation process it is important to lay out your wall. As with many other building products you will fit your GenStone panels to the building. Buildings that you will apply GenStone to will rarely be square, true, or plumb so small modifications to the panels (especially on your first/bottom row and corners) may be necessary. These compensations can be made by trimming with a utility knife or sander to ensure an accurate installation. To begin the lay out use a level to mark a line across the substrate at or above the top edge of your bottom row of panels. This will give you a reference as you run your panels and allow you to keep your installation square. Repeating these lines as you progress up the wall will allow you to make any necessary adjustments and maintain an accurate installation. Begin your installation in the lower left corner and proceed down the wall with that row. It is critical that this first row be as true as possible because all other panels build off of this. If you are using GenStone corners start by fitting the corner first and then the panel next to it for your first row.

Outside corners are available to match all varieties of GenStone and are the best way to finish a corner. When installing a corner piece mark a plum line on both sides of the corner far enough away from the actual corner so they are visible for reference when test fitting. Start at the bottom test fit and trim the first corner for the best overall fit on both sides keeping in mind that corners have a positive edge that goes to the top. Because corners are often out of true, this may include shaving minimal amounts from the back side of the panel, being cautious not to reduce the thickness too much. For some outside corners that are not 90 degree (such as 45 or 22 ½ degree turns) and for inside corners mitering is an option. If possible, when mitering it is best to miter closer to the middle of the panel as opposed to right at the end thus achieving a more solid stone appearance. These corners can be lightly sanded and filled with either GenStone grout or a paintable exterior grade filler and then, if needed, touched up with Sherwin Williams Super Paint.

To install a ledger piece apply adhesive to the back of the ledger and to the top positive shiplap edge of the panel that is already attached to the substrate. Then fit the ledger pieces' negative shiplap down onto the positive edge. Proceed by toe screwing (shooting a screw at an angle) the ledger piece from both ends being certain to counter sink the screw deep enough to where the screw head does not stick out preventing the next ledger from fitting tight. The screw used for shooting through the side will be longer than the others long enough to provide good bite into the substrate. Continue by shooting a longer screw in the center of the ledger through the face counter sinking by about 1/8" and then cover this hole with the grout.

Regardless of which variety of GenStone product is used, an available color matched grout or a clear PL Premium adhesive must be used between the shiplap edges to adhere the panels together. Applying the adhesive between the positive and negative ship lap edges ensures a good seal between panels.

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