When Airstone was first introduced to the market, I still remember my excitement. It was so lifelike and lightweight, and so easy to use. My first thought was Im putting this stuff over everything!
My wife was able to restrain my enthusiasm and the whole house was covered with faux stone.
Although it might seem daunting at first, Airstone is very easy to use.
What You’ll Need
Airstone was designed for DIYers, so it is easy to install without the need for a lot of tools. Heres what youll need to get the job done:
- Interior adhesive by Airstone
- Putty knife
- Hacksaw
- Safety glasses
- Facemask
- You will need something a little different if you want to install Airstone outdoors.
Loctite construction adhesive (Airstone recommends Loctite-PL construction adhesive).
- Putty knife
- Hacksaw
- Work gloves
- Safety glasses
- Facemask
Because they are so easy to use, I recommend using a hacksaw to cut your Airstone. You probably already have one, and if you dont, you can pick up a quality one for under If you prefer, a jigsaw or even a circular saw makes quick work of Airstone, just be sure youre using a masonry blade.
Step 1: Measure The Room
Your first order of business is going to be purchasing the proper amount of Airstone and adhesive for the job. Youll need to measure the square footage of the surface youre covering, making sure to account for any windows or other areas where you wont be placing Airstone.
Each box of primary Airstones measures eight feet in area, while each box contains six feet of corner/finished Airstones.
Airstone can help you determine what dimensions to use if you’re not confident in your measurements. Send them a picture of your project with the dimensions required and a description.
As for the adhesive, one tub of Airstone interior adhesive covers 30 square feet. Loctite PL is used for exterior projects. It covers 7-10 square footage.
Step II: Begin With The Corners
Start with the corners. This is the easiest way to tackle any project. The corner/finished stones from Airstones have a clever design that creates beautiful corners every time.
Each box of corner/finished stone contains two shrink-wrapped sets of two stones. These stones are identical to one another. One stone has a flat edge while the other stone has a finished, rounded edge.
These stones should be joined around each corner. Alternate which wall gets the finished edge and which wall gets the flat edge to create a natural looking offset seam.
To attach the stones to the wall, butter up the backside of the stone with a thick layer of adhesive, and press the stone firmly onto the wall to set it in place. Repeat this process until youve finished all the corners of the wall.
Note: Each box of stones contains four different colors. To create a natural look, pay attention to the number of stones in each box.
Step III: Attaching Flat Stones
Once your corners are finished, youre ready to get into the meat of your project with the primary wall stones.
Unpack the entire box of stones, paying close attention to how many of each color and length you have. To create a natural look, make sure you alternate the lengths and colors.
Start at the bottom of the wall, and work horizontally. Apply a thick layer of adhesive to the back of each stone, and press the stone against the wall with even pressure to set it in place. When youve reached the end of the wall, apply a stone with a finished edge to create a clean look.
Step IV: The Cutting
As you install the flat stones, youre certain to come across a few stones you need to cut to fit the dimensions of your wall. The easiest way to cut Airstone is to do it as you go. Once you reach an area where you need to cut, place the Airstone youre going to cut against the wall and mark the area you need to cut.
Next, use a hacksaw, or power saw to make your cut. Continue attaching stones to the wall. Whenever youre cutting, be sure to wear eye protection and a facemask.
Final Word
After learning the basics of cutting Airstone, you will be able quickly to start your next home improvement project. Airstone is the easiest method to bring the beauty and elegance of natural stone into your home. This FAQ page can be a great resource if you have any questions.
