If masonry surface is has concrete form release agent or form oil residue, the surface will be etched with muriatic acid and rinsed thoroughly with a pressure washer.If concrete / masonry surface is clean and untreated, then no preparation or weather resistant barrier is needed.

2. Over Wood Framing (plywood, paneling, wallboard or wall sheathing)

Cover the sheathing with weather resistant barrier (breath type) waterproof building paper or asphalt saturated rag felt.  Lap joints in 4 inch shingle type fashion.  In accordance with local building code, install galvanized expanded metal lath using galvanized nails or staples 6 inch on center horizontally penetrating studs a minimum of 1 inch.  Metal lath and weather resistant barrier should be wrapped continuously around all inside and outside corners a minimum of 16 inches.

3. Over Metal Studs

Apply 3/8 inch rib expanded metal lath to metal cladding supports of 20 gauge to 12 gauge using 1 ¼ inch Pancake Head self-tapping screws.  Screws must be installed in center equal to 1 inch per square foot and not exceed 6 inches on center in one direction.  Apply ½ inch scratch coat and allow drying for 48 hours before Omega Stone is applied. 

4. Over any Substrate

Do not lay masonry unites if temperatures are below 45 degrees and falling.
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5. Over Combined Substrate Overlaps (masonry adjoining framing)

An expanding joint should be installed between the two different substrates that are adjoining.

AFTER ALL OF THE SPECIFICATIONS HAVE BEEN MET CONCERNING THE PREPARATION OF THE DIFFERENT SUBSTRATES ABOVE, PROCEED WITH THE FOLLOWING STEPS.

Type S premixed is recommended.  Type 1 Portland cement can  be added if desired.  Apply a ½ thick layer of base coat to prepare surface using a masons trowel.

Cover entire back of Omega Stone with mortar; press each stone into mortar base coat.  Press firmly enough to let excess mortar seep out around the edges of the Omega Stone.  Apply pressure and move stone as in a wiggling motion to ensure proper installation.

We recommend that a mortar color that compliments or matches the Omega Stone is used.  This can dramatically improve the overall appearance of the installation.

ALWAYS USE SAFETY GEAR (GLASSES AND APPROVED/APPROATE MASKS) WHEN CUTTING, GRINDING, TRIMMING OT SAWING.

For best results use a small hand grinder or circular saw equipped with a dry cutting diamond blade.  There are several advantages to using a grinder or circular saw.  One of the advantages is less waste is can be expected.  Cut pieces can usually be used in other areas of the project.  Another advantage is more precise cuts.  Proper care must be taken when trimming stone with a mason’s hammer or poor results, such as breaking stone can result in excess material waste.  Also, using a diamond saw blade leaves the edges polished, resulting in a more finished look.  Internal aggregates are more noticeable when the stone is broken with a mason’s hammer.  When stones are cut or broken, the broken edge should be covered with mortar to help conceal any exposed aggregate, position broken edges face upward when possible.

Joint should be grouted using a grout bag and mortar should be compacted around Omega Stone edges to ensure proper bond.  Grout should be flush with surface of Omega Stone, then pointed up with a wood stick or metal jointing tool.  Rake joint back approximately ¼ inch to reveal the Omega Stone edge.  Smears of mortar should be removed after the mortar becomes brittle.  Brittle mortar may be removed with a stiff bristle brush or a whiskbroom.

NEVER USE A WET BRUSH TO CLEAN SMEARS.

When mortar has sufficiently set, the area should be brushed to remove the loose mortar and to clean the face of the Omega Stone.  Never use a wet brush to treat the mortar joints.  This may cause staining that can be difficult or impossible to remove.  Never use acid or acid based products to clean Omega Stone.  If help is needed with serious cleaning problems, contact Omega Stone Products, Inc.

If Omega Stone is installed properly, no sealer is necessary.  Sometimes sealer causes more damage than good.  If a sealer is desired, use only a water based breathable type sealer.  Sealers in general are only providing water repellant, not waterproofing.  Omega Stone uses a water repellent admixture in the base mixture during the manufacturing process.  Also, most mortar manufacturers incorporate water repellent agents in the bagged product.  However, sealing Omega Stone can assist with the removal of natural weathering, such as mold, fungus or soot stains from fireplaces.  

1. Related trades (siding installer, roofing installer, etc) should provide flashing and any required sealants per local building code requirements. (Consult you architect or engineer for details on flashing, caulking, sealants or building code requirements for your area)

2. Omega Stone needs 2 inches of working area.  Overall thickness of Omega Stone once it is installed is between 1 ½ inches to 2 inches due to texture variation. 

4. Seasonal temperature changes can affect substrate expansion and contraction rates.  Plywood substrates are known to expand and contract.  The installer must be careful and only apply Omega Stone to dry plywood.  Installing Omega Stone to wet plywood may result in hairline cracks developing in the scratch coat due to expansion and contraction.  Omega Stone is susceptible to damage salt or de-icing chemicals.  These chemicals should not be used on areas immediately adjacent to Omega Stone applications.

5. EFIS, stucco and all wall finishes need to be completed before the installation of Omega Stone begins.  The nature of stone is to have rough rustic edges and installers can work up nicely to a straight edge left by a related trade.  It is much harder for other trades to work up to a rough rustic edge and achieve a proper seal.    All heave mechanical units, such as HVAC and any other equipment that will add substantial weight to the over all structure, including equipment and material for the roof needs to be completed before Omega Stone starts the installation process. 

6. Simple precautions must be taken to avoid staining of Omega Stone due to mud during a heavy rainfall. The accepted method to control mud near masonry construction is the use of straw on the ground in areas where mud staining may occur. Immediate care should be taken to remove any mud that gets on the stone. Removal of the mud gets more difficult the longer it stays on the stone.

Unlike other manufactured stones, Omega Stone gets the majority of its overall color through a substantial base pigmentation, one of the highest concentrations of THROUGH BODY pigmentation in the manufactured stone industry. This ensures that there is color through the entire structure, not just the surface. If Omega Stone is cut or broken during the installation process, there will be interior color. This is just one of the reasons that you can rest assured that you are getting the highest quality that Omega Stone has to offer.

Omega Stone has an absorption rate of 13%. Concrete being porous by nature must keep a balanced porosity, if the absorption rate is too high, you may have trouble getting the mortar to adhere to the stone properly. Most other manufactures’ absorption rate is closer to 25%, making water repellency problematic and requiring additional water repellant agents. Omega Stone is one of the most balanced in the industry.

Omega Stone’s surface colors are achieved by using a pigmentation agent, Portland cement and a sand mixture. This mixture is applied to the surface of our molds before casting. Our surface colors actually increase the surface pressure of our stone by tightening the pores of the concrete. The pigmentation blended with the cement and sand assures that the surface colors are internally impregnated in the stone structure. This combination of materials and processes produce a scratch resistant surface.