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Case Study: Sakrete® Stone Veneer Mortar

Words: Mark Aafedt
/Public/News/20080819075500-1.jpg" width="200" height="300" border="0" alt="Sakrete Stone Veneer Mortar is specifically designed for vertical applications of stone veneer over a stucco scratch coat or directly over backer board in exterior wall systems.">
Sakrete Stone Veneer Mortar is specifically designed for vertical applications of stone veneer over a stucco scratch coat or directly over backer board in exterior wall systems.
When Clayton Block, a leading independent masonry yard, aggregate supplier and Ready-Mix producer in New Jersey, wanted to improve the appearance of a masonry yard location in Waretown, N.J., the head of retail operations, Craig MacFarlane, knew who to call: Al Meredith of A&S Meredith. He does skilled residential and commercial stonework and custom masonry throughout New Jersey.

Since Meredith started his business 30 years ago, he has not only used the knowledge passed down from his father, but also his natural interest in masonry, to create lasting architectural designs in stone both inside and out of homes and businesses. Meredith creates sweeping stonework exteriors and unique interior designs that show off his keen eye for detail. When working with stone veneer, Meredith carefully places each stone by shape and color and cuts pieces to fit precisely. He leans away from his stone work with a tilted head, mortar hawk in hand, looking like a painter holding his palette.

MacFarlane wanted to improve the appearance of Clayton Block while utilizing products available through their yards. Sakrete® cement and mortar mixes, and repair products have been staples at Clayton Block locations for years. The recently introduced Sakrete Stone Veneer Mortar was selected for the project. It is specifically designed for vertical applications of stone veneer over a stucco scratch coat or directly over backer board in exterior wall systems. Sakrete Stone Veneer Mortar can also be used as the base scratch coat. Once it’s cured, it provides superior adhesion of stone veneer to the base scratch coat, and is used as a grout to fill in gaps between the stone veneer as needed. Polymer modification is the key to creating a stone veneer mortar that provides extra strength and bonding power.

Like most masons, Meredith is accustomed to mixing his own batches of stone veneer mortar on site with masonry cement and mason’s sand. He agreed to try something new when Clayton Block supplied him with the pre-mixed Sakrete Stone Veneer Mortar in 80-pound bags.

“I wasn’t very interested in trying a bagged product, because I thought it would be more expensive,” says Meredith. “But what interested me was the convenience of a pre-mixed stone veneer mortar, particularly on smaller jobs and interior jobs like fireplaces.”

/Public/News/20080819075500-2.jpg" width="200" height="300" border="0" alt="Sakrete bagged cement mixes, mortar mixes and repair products are used by masonry contractors for all kinds of concrete and masonry construction.">
Sakrete bagged cement mixes, mortar mixes and repair products are used by masonry contractors for all kinds of concrete and masonry construction.
The exterior wall work for the Clayton Block job measured 70 feet by 10 feet. Each 80-pound bag of Sakrete Stone Veneer Mortar yields about 16 square feet of coverage and this job required about 42 bags.

Another factor that made working with bags more convenient was Meredith worked on this job over a long period — in between other jobs as his time was available. When Meredith broke down the job into smaller time segments, he could mix a bag or two as it was needed. Having the same consistency of mortar every time, quickly and easily, saved Meredith time and there was less mess at Clayton Block’s front door. Plus, at the end of the job, there were no leftover piles of sand or unused product.

When the job was completed, MacFarlane and Clayton Block got exactly what they had expected when they brought Meredith in to dress up the office and showroom exterior-a unique and attractive stone veneer façade by a craftsman who delivers quality. Clayton Block used the opportunity to showcase the materials it sells every day.

Sakrete bagged cement mixes, mortar mixes and repair products are used by masonry contractors for all kinds of concrete and masonry construction. New products like Sakrete Stone Veneer Mortar, keep pace with the changing needs of professional contractors.

Al Meredith and A&S Meredith are based in Lanoka Harbor, N.J., and can be reached at 609-693-7071. For more information on Clayton Block Co., based out of Lakewood, N.J., please call 800-662-3044 for the location nearest you in New Jersey. Learn more about Sakrete products at www.sakrete.com.
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