MSI Hardscaping Outdoor Living Collection of and Turf Instruction Manual
- June 13, 2024
- MSI
Table of Contents
MSI Hardscaping Outdoor Living Collection of and Turf
Product Information
The product is a hardscaping installation manual provided by MS International (MSI). It provides guidelines and instructions for the installation of various hardscaping materials, including pavers, meshed flagstone, and veneer stone. The manual can be accessed on the MSI website at www.msistone.com.
Installation of Pavers
This section provides instructions for installing pavers using the sand set
method. The steps are as follows
- Preparing the ground: Mark the project area and dig out the required depth below the string line.
- Preparing Sand Bed : Screed the bedding sand in place using PVC pipes for spacing.
- Lay Pavers: Lay the pavers in the desired pattern, starting outward in a staggered pattern. Cut pavers if necessary.
- Compacting: Sweep sand into the joints and use a hand tamp or rubber mallet to set the pavers. Compact the surface until it’s level.
- Sand Joints : Spread more sand over the surface and sweep it diagonally into the joints to fill them.
Installation of Mesh Mounted Flagstone
This section provides instructions for installing mesh mounted flagstone.
The steps are not provided in the manual extract.
Installation of Veneer Stone
This section provides guidelines for installing natural stone ledger panels
for creating stone veneer on walls. The steps are as follows
- Substrate Preparation: Ensure the substrate is structurally sound, clean, dry, and free of debris. It can be a cement block wall or cement board attached to the wall.
- Coating the Wall : Working from the bottom upward, coat the wall with a layer of mortar slightly wider than each panel.
- Applying the Panels : Apply mortar to the back of each ledger panel and firmly press it into place. Use a rubber mallet to tap each panel for maximum bond.
Note: The manual also mentions the availability of Natural Stone Ledger Panels in two styles: Natural stone ledger stepped panels and L ledger stepped panel corners for outside corners.
Sand Set Installation of Pavers
- Preparing the ground
- Mark your project area with wooden stakes and string lines where you would like the top of your pavers. Remove sod and dig out area at least 7 3/8″ below string line (if installing a residential driveway or parking area, you need to dig out at least 9 3/8″).
- Making the Bed
- Bring in crushed rock for your sub base. Bring the crushed rock up to 3 ½” below your string line – the rock should be at least 4″ deep in all places (if installing a residential driveway or parking area, the rock should be at least 6″ deep in all places). Level and compact crushed rock using a manual compactor. This procedure provides a level surface upon which the pavers are laid, and is very important to the quality of the finished pavement.
- Preparing Sand Bed
- Screed the bedding sand in place by using two pieces of 1″ PVC pipe for spacing. Place them parallel to one another on the base rock. Remove pipe conduit and fill in voids (do not compact or walk on sand). Screed only as much sand as you can cover with pavers in one day. Sand left overnight or longer can become unleveled or wet..
- Lay Pavers
- Lay pavers in your desired pattern. Start laying pavers outward in a staggered pattern. If cut pavers are necessary, you can use a masonry saw, or a hammer and chisel. Measure over to your string line every few feet to make sure that you are staying on track.
- Compacting
- Sweep sand diagonally across pavement into the joints. Use a hand tamp or rubber mallet to set the pavers. Work from the perimeter inward, going over the surface at least twice, until the surface is level to your satisfaction.
- Sand Joints
- Spread more sand over the surface of the pavement and sweep it diagonally into the joints to finish filling them. Save any extra sand – you may want to sweep sand into your pavement again later to refill joints that wind or rain may empty.
Installation of Mesh Mounted Flagstone
- Surface Requirement
- Meshed Flagstone is best installed over a sub-base. Mesh Flagstone is not design for Sand set installation. Entire installation surface must be clean and flat, and free of sealants, grease and other oily compounds.
- Before you set the stone, find the center point of the room. Measure the length and width of the room, marking the halfway points.
- Dry lay the mesh in order to determine where the cuts will need to be made at the edges. Set the first mesh in the center of the room.
- Setting the Flagstone
- Use a masonry ½” square notch trowel to spread an even layer of mortar – approximately ½ inch thick. Spread the mortar out in an area that is slightly larger than the size of one piece of Mesh Flagstone.
- Set the Meshed Flagstone and firmly press it into mortar bed to ensure that the mesh backing penetrated into mortar. Use a level or other straight edge to ensure a flat and consistent surface from one piece to another piece. You may have to use a rubber mallet to tap down high points.
- It’s a good idea to wipe the stones clean as you set them. Keep a bucket of clean water and a sponge to wipe off the thin set.
- Making a Template
- You will need to make cuts.
- It’s helpful to create a template (use cardboard or large thick paper) to show the exact shape of the partial mesh section to fill the gap created by walls or other straight borders. Simply place a straight edge of your cardboard along the wall and draw the outline of the area to be filled with partial mesh section.
- Transfer the template onto the section of mesh that must be cut. Spread the layer of mortar and set the newly cut mesh section gently in place.
- Grout Installation
- Prepare your selected sanded grout according to the grout preparation guide on package. Fill the grout with wet sponge; making sure no grout is left behind on the surface of the stone.
- Sealer (Optional)
- To protect your stone from stains and spills, we recommended sealing the stone and grout.
Natural Stone Ledger Panels
M S International’s Natural Stone Ledger panels are trimmed pieces of natural
ledger stone affixed together to form modular panels, which allows for the
streamlined installation of dry stacked ledge stone veneer. M S
International’s natural stone veneer panels feature a unique joint design that
becomes virtually undetectable after installation. We offer these panels in
two styles: Natural stone ledger stepped panels and “L“ ledger stepped panel
corners for outside corner.
Stepped Panels
Stepped Panels are designed to interlock together like puzzle pieces. Panel A
will lock into Panel B and so on for seamless fit
Installation Guidelines
M S International’s Natural Stone Ledger Panels can be used to create
beautiful stone veneer on interior or exterior walls. Substrate should be
structurally sound, clean, dry and free of debris. Substrate can be cement
block wall or cement board attached to wall.
- Working from the bottom of the wall upward, coat the wall with 0.5inch plus layer of mortar, covering slightly more than the width of each panel
- Apply layer of mortar to the back of the ledger panel and press the panel firmly in place. To ensure maximum bond of each panel to the wall surface, use a rubber mallet to tap each ledger panel in to its final position
- Repeat step # 2, adding panels in a linear direction ( end-to-end, rather than stacking ) to create multiple layers of panels until the desired height is reached.
- Standard 6×24” Natural Ledger Panels feature Stepped Cut design which creates a seamless look, as random stone pieces were set by a craftsman.
- To protect your stone from stains and spills, we recommend sealing the stone surfaces.
Installation Of Veneer Stone
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Preparing the surface (skip to step 3 if applying stone directly to block or cement surface) When Preparing the surface, apply a weather resistant barrier such as 2 ply 60 minute black paper as a water resistive barrier to a non-masonry surface. Overlap the paper 2″ on horizontal seems and 6″ on vertical seems. Apply wire lath horizontally over the Use 1″ nails or staples to secure the lath. Nail or staple the lath vertically every 6″ to further secure the lath. it is important to fasten the lath on the both sides of the frame when coming to corner.
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Scratch coat
Now you are ready for the scratch coat. Mix the mortar and cover the lath entirely in mortar using a masonry trowel. And before the mortar dries, use a bristled brush to scratch the mortar. Allow enough time for the mortar to dry before applying the stone. -
Start with the corners
It’s time to apply the stone. The scratch coat must be wet. Mix the mortar and apply it to the wall where you will set the corners. Pick the first corner and apply mortar to be back of the stone or “butter” the stone with a 3/8 thickness of mortar. Start at the bottom of the wall and work up. Alternate the corners form long side to short side. This will create a random pattern and will appear more natural. Apply several feet of corners to begin. -
Applying the flats
For the flat pieces, apply the mortar to the scratch coat 5-10 Square feet at a time so the mortar does not set up before the stone is applied. Start from the bottom up and go across and one row at time. Also remember to “butter” each stone before applying to the wall. Alternate large pieces and short pieces. It will be necessary to cut pieces of stone to fit in small gaps so use a grinder with a 4”diamond blade to cut the stone and fit these stones in the gaps. The cutting will create dust, so be sure to do it outside. a level mus be used it the stone is linear. Check each line to make sure it is level. -
Grouting the joints
In order to grout the joints, use a grout bag. Cut the bag at the tip and avoid smearing mortar on the stone. If mortar gets on the stone, it may be cleaned after it has dried and has become crumbly. Use a dry bristled brush to clean the stone.
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Read User Manual Online (PDF format) >>