STONE VENEER
STONE VENEER COVERAGE
flats = ft² − (corners × 0.75)
ft
ft
ft²
lin ft
RESULT
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FILL IN ABOVE
1 lin ft outside corner ≈ 0.75 ft² of flat coverage. Full-joint mortar ≈ 3 bags / 100 ft². 10% waste built in. Estimate only — verify with veneer manufacturer.
About this calculator
This stone veneer calculator estimates the materials for a manufactured stone install: flats sold by the square foot, corner pieces sold by the linear foot, mortar in 80-lb bags, and metal lath in standard 27"×96" sheets. Each linear foot of outside corner replaces about 0.75 ft² of flat coverage, so the calculator deducts that to keep you from double-buying. Mortar runs about three 80-lb bags per 100 ft² with full mortar joints; dry-stack styles drop closer to one bag per 100 ft². ESTIMATE ONLY — manufacturer coverage rates vary; verify against the spec sheet for the exact product.
Common questions
How much stone veneer do I need?
Measure wall height × length, subtract windows and doors, and add 10% for waste. The result is the square footage of "flats." Then measure outside corners separately by linear foot — corner pieces wrap the corner so they're sold by lin ft, and each lin ft replaces about 0.75 ft² of flat coverage. A 200 ft² wall with 30 lin ft of corners needs roughly 200 − (30 × 0.75) = 178 ft² of flats plus 33 lin ft of corners (with 10% waste).
Do I need lath behind manufactured stone veneer?
Yes — every code-compliant manufactured stone install over framing or sheathing needs metal lath stapled through to the studs (not just the sheathing) followed by a scratch coat before the stones go on. ASTM C1670 and most manufacturer specs call for 2.5-lb diamond mesh galvanized lath fastened at 6" o.c. on studs. Skip the lath and the veneer fails — usually within five years.
How many bags of mortar per 100 sq ft of stone veneer?
About three 80-lb bags of Type N or S mortar per 100 ft² for full mortar joints (the traditional grouted look). Dry-stack styles use ~one bag per 100 ft² for the back-buttering and a tight setting bed only — no joint filling. The polymer-modified bagged mortar (e.g., Type S Mason Mix or a dedicated stone-veneer mortar) is what manufacturers spec; standard Type N may not bond well to the back of cast veneer.