Have you ever taken a walk around your neighborhood and fallen in love with a gorgeous home featuring stacked stone siding? Or, perhaps, your dream exterior is in a home magazine with charming cobblestone siding surrounding the front porch, providing the warmest welcome.
Your inspiration may be right in front of you and easier to achieve than you’d imagined!
You can turn your own home, pool house, or outdoor entertaining area into the most attractive hangout on the block with realistic faux stone siding. Installation is a simple, DIY project you can accomplish over a weekend. Follow our step-by-step guide below for a flawless installation.
Faux Stone Siding Installation: Before You Get Started
Before you start your project, it's important to properly measure for siding, so you don’t underestimate or overestimate the amount of materials you need. If you do it right, you’ll save yourself a lot of confusion and frustration during installation.
To make installation even easier, be sure to have all the required tools and materials before you get started.
- Exterior stone siding panels
- Gloves
- Safety glasses
- Starter strips
- Trim pieces
- Level
- T-Square
- Circular saw with finishing blade
- Tape measure
- Screw gun/drill
- Corner pieces (if needed)
- Non-corrosive nails or screws with a head of 0.4”(1cm) in diameter and a body of 0.150”(0,38cm)
- Furring strips (if installing on a furring wall)
- Utility knife
How to Install Faux Stone Siding: Step by Step
NovikStoneDS Dry Stack Faux Stone Siding Panels in Anthracite
Installing faux stone siding panels is an easy DIY process that requires no special skills. As long as you follow these step-by-step instructions, you’ll see your vision come to life in no time.
Below is an overview of how to install NovikStoneDS Dry Stack Faux Stone Siding Panels.
When you’re ready to install, use our more detailed instructions with helpful diagrams.
Helpful Installation Tips
- Faux stone siding panels will expand and contract because of temperature variations. Follow these instructions closely to allow for expansion and contraction.
- When installing near a heat source such as an outdoor fireplace, make sure the installation is at a safe distance so the panels will not exceed 176°F(80°C).
- Always begin the installation at the lowest part of the structure, from left to right.
- Always nail through the installation holes, and never hammer the nails in completely.
Step 1: Install Decorative Corners (if needed)
If you are not installing corners, you can skip this step.
To install corners, join two hinged corner pieces together to form an inside or an outside corner, depending on what you need.
Then, install the first corner assembly at the bottom of the wall and nail the central hole and both extremities on each piece. If the corner is installed at the base of your wall butt the bottom of the corner assembly against the floor. If there is no floor, install the corner flush with the lowest installation point.
Insert the next corner assembly into the lower one and nail it in just like the previous corner. Repeat until you reach the top of your wall.
For the last corner, cut the excess and insert it into the lower one, and nail it into the wall. If there is no center hole, only nail the two extremities.
Step 2: Install Starter Strips
Now you’re ready to start installing your faux stone siding!
Install starter strips at the lowest point of the structure, making sure they are squared and level with the wall.
Step 3: Trim the Left Side of Your First Siding Panel
To avoid having a small piece at the right end of the wall, measure the total length of your wall to determine where to cut your first panel.
This cut will be visible, so make sure it's cut in a clean line using a circular saw with a finishing blade.
Step 4: Insert the First Panel Into the Starter Strip
Using the hooks on the back of the panel, insert the panel onto the starter strip.
When using Novik trim, insert the cut side of your panel into the trim.
Helpful tip: For a better look, cut panels which are pressed against the corners with a 3° angle.
Step 5: Secure Your First Exterior Siding Panel to the Surface
Before you start nailing a siding panel to the surface, make sure to position the left side of the panel for optimal appearance.
Hold the siding panel in place and nail the left end of the nailing channel. Then, keep the panel down to preserve optimal appearance of the lower joint, and nail down the center hole. This will ensure even movement of panels in both directions during expansion and contraction.
Repeat to nail the right end of the nailing channel and the two lateral holes. Each full-length panel should be secured with a minimum of five nails.
Note: If the panel is installed on a wall with furrings, a furring strip is required behind each nail.
Step 6: Secure the Next Siding Panel
Install your next siding panel by hooking it onto the starter strip and sliding it into the previous panel.
Make sure the tabs on both sides are locked together. It’s not necessary to leave a gap between the panels, you can butt them up to each other.
Repeat this step until the end of the wall.
Step 7: Start the Second Row
Cut your first panel with a 16’’ increment from the cutting line of the first row.
Slide the bottom of the panel into the continuous slot on top of the previously installed row.
Proceed with this row following steps 3-6 taking care with each new row to alternate the position of the cut on the first panel.
Step 8: Install the Last Row
Choose a concealed spot on the panel, and use a utility knife to create a new 1/2”(1.27cm) slot. The slot must be wider than the nail but not as wide as the nail head. This slot will allow for expansion and contraction movement.
Note: To straighten the panel, add some shims as required behind these new nailing slots.
Benefits of Faux Stone Exterior Siding
NovikStoneDS Dry Stack Faux Stone Siding Panels in Grigio
If you’re ready to give your home’s exterior a major upgrade, stone is always a great choice. But if real stone veneer isn’t in your budget, or you don’t have the time or patience to maintain it, faux stone siding is the best and most realistic alternative.
Aside from their realistic appearance, there are many benefits to choosing faux stone siding over real stone veneer.
Faux stone exterior siding is…
- Affordable, and costs much less than real stone to buy, ship, and install
- Lightweight and easy to manage
- A DIY-friendly product that can be installed over a weekend
- Able to withstand extreme weather conditions
- Resistant to fading in the sun
- Resistant to damage from pests and moisture
- Durable and able to withstand heavy wind when installed correctly
- Available in a wide variety of styles and colors to suit your home’s design
Ready to Transform Your Home?
No matter which faux stone siding style you choose, the gorgeous pop of color and texture will boost your home’s curb appeal, and can even increase its value.
Once your panels have been delivered to your doorstep, you can begin the DIY installation process. In a matter of days (or less) you’ll be in awe of your home, marveling at the transformation you’ve made!
Click below to view all of our exterior panel options and colors.