Installation Guide

Installing AirStone

What you’ll need:
For INTERIOR applications:
• AirStone Interior Adhesive (*see note regarding wood surfaces)
• Putty knife
• Hacksaw
For EXTERIOR applications:
• AirStone Exterior Adhesive
• Cartridge gun
• Hacksaw
Preparation
– Scrape off any bumps from the sides of the stone.
– Do not sand the backs of the AirStones; the dust will
impair adhesion.
– The wall surface must be flat, smooth, clean, free of dust,
grease, oil, loose paint/wallpaper or foreign matter.
– Only apply to a substrate that is constantly rigid
(temperature or moisture does NOT effect rigidity).
– Read and follow the adhesive instructions on the
container.
– For interiors, acclimate stones and adhesive to room
temperature 24 hours before installing.
Installation
– Start at ground level and work horizontally. Make sure the
first row is level, for it will be the foundation for all rows
above it. If the wall has a corner, we recommend starting
each row with a corner piece (so any cuts are made to the
flat pieces).
– Apply an adequate amount of adhesive onto the back of
the stone.
Interiors: Smear a generous amount of adhesive along the entire
lower back of the stone (think icing a cupcake, not buttering toast).
Press stone firmly and evenly to the wall, allowing adhesive to
compress upward across the entire back of the stone. Should any
adhesive get on the face of the stone, clean it off before it dries.
Exteriors (Please read the “third rule of thumb” on this page and if
necessary, review the Exterior Installation Diagrams, available on
the DOWNLOADS page of www.airstone.com): Cut AirStone
Exterior Adhesive nozzle to create a ½” bead and pierce inner
seal. Apply a continuous bead of adhesive along the stone length
for every 2” in stone width. In regions with above average
freeze/thaw cycles, more adhesive is necessary. Press firmly and
evenly onto the wall, allowing the adhesive to compress. Cure time
= 24-48 hours. Important: leave a ½” gap between the ground
surface (foundation, step, driveway, deck, etc.) and the bottom row
of AirStone to prevent cracking in case of settling.
Cutting
– Use a common hacksaw or a power saw with a masonry
blade.
– Start sawing on the face of the stone, not the back side.
– When using a hacksaw, start sawing with the blade
parallel to the stone face. A new hacksaw blade
significantly improves cutting speed and quality.
– Hide cut edges by positioning the cut edge so that it
cannot be seen.
– Be sure that the back of the stone is free of saw dust,
otherwise the adhesive will not adhere.
– If using a wet saw, be sure that stone is totally dry before
applying AirStone Adhesive.
Clean-Up
– AirStone Interior Adhesive: warm water
– AirStone Exterior Adhesive: mineral spirits
IMPORTANT
1
st
rule of thumb: If the substrate is in an environment where humidity,
temperature, or other factors cause it to expand, contract, flex or bow,
then the substrate is not an approved backing for AirStone.
2
nd
rule of thumb: If the wall is exposed to moisture – even if it is an
interior wall -- use AirStone Exterior Adhesive.
3
rd
rule of thumb: Water will penetrate between the seams of the
AirStones, so when installing outdoors or in areas exposed to water,
either install on an existing outdoor surface that is weatherproof, take
measures to keep the interior of the substrate dry, or otherwise take steps
to avoid the accumulation of moisture. Always install according to
applicable building codes.
Some common substrates:
• Brick, Ceramic Tile, Stone Tile, Stucco, Cement Board,
Concrete Block: Approved if substrate is installed according to
applicable building codes.
• Drywall: Approved interior substrate
• Water- or oil-based painted drywall (excluding
enameled): Approved interior substrate. Score oil-based
painted wall prior to installation.
• Wallpapered drywall: Wallpaper can separate from the wall,
and therefore should be removed before applying AirStone.
• Wood surfaces:
– Outdoors: Not approved.
– Indoors: Use discretion, i.e., when exposed to
temperature and humidity change, wood can expand,
contract, flex or bow and therefore may not be a stable
backing for adhesives. This is particularly a problem on
backsplashes, in shower areas, etc. This movement is
less of an issue if the room has a consistent
temperature, low humidity/moisture and the substrate
is secured by screws onto studs. *NOTE: always use
AirStone Exterior Adhesive when applying to wood.
• Ceilings and floors: Not approved. Not intended for any
horizontal
surface including counter tops and hearths.
AirStone has been shown to adhere to the approved substrates listed above if properly
installed. All possible substrates can not be listed. Substrate conditions, temperature,
humidity, dust and many other factors affect adhesion, and AirStone’s manufacturer,
distributors and retailers shall not be liable if AirStone does not adhere to a specific
substrate. The adhesive product used (other than AirStone Adhesive when used strictly in
accordance with directions), the substrate, the method of adhesion, and the adherence to
a specific substrate shall be the sole decision, and responsibility, of the customer.
Helpful hints
– Alternate piece sizes to break up the vertical seams
– Minimize seams by snugly fitting together the pieces.
– Flip/flop the corner pieces to utilize the various-sized legs.
– When hanging artwork, etc., proper anchoring to the supporting
wall is necessary. Use a drill, not a hammer and nail.
– Prior to installation, mix contents of different boxes to assure
color consistency.
– Backsplashes: Just like natural stone, grease will stain
AirStone. For areas directly exposed to cooking splatter, a high-
quality sealant designed for porous stone or concrete may be
used, however, we cannot guarantee the effectiveness of
various sealants.
AirStone has a “Class A” fire rating and is safe to use around typical
fireplaces. Stone should be at least 18” from the flame.
Mandatory Warning: This product contains a chemical known to the State of California to
cause cancer. This chemical, crystalline silica, is a component of cement. Cement is an
ingredient of AirStone. Do not eat AirStone. When sawing AirStone, provide for adequate
ventilation, dust suppression, or controls to keep airborne silica levels below the PEL
(Permissible Exposure Limit). A NIOSH approved N-95 Series mask is recommended
when cutting AirStone with a power saw.
For video installation tips, visit: www.airstone.com
Installation Instructions and Guidelines