Installing Wellington Panels Outdoors: Basic Guidelines

1. Begin your exterior design project by first by making sure that the wall you’re attaching the faux stone to is clean. Wipe down the surface and use a wire brush on harder surfaces. Wipe the back of the faux stone panel as well.

Acclimatize the faux stone panel to roughly the same temperature and humidity as the installation surface for about 24 hours. Do not store FauxPanels in direct sunlight or close to heat sources prior to installation.

2. This step shows how to use a drainage mat behind the panels in your exterior design. Roll out and apply the FauxPanel Drainage Mat to the entire exterior wall to be covered. Use the adhesive/glue behind the mat and exterior-grade staples through the mat into the wall to firmly attach the mat to the wall.

NOTE: If a house wrap is used, (always check and comply with all building codes that pertain to your region if house wrap is needed) the Drainage Mat must be installed on top of the house wrap, not the other way around. The DM-3611R Drainage Mat meets the Canadian Building Codes and is required for most exterior installations done in Canada.

4. Apply a bead of glue/adhesive to the perimeter of the back of the faux stone panel, roughly an inch from the edge.

Add additional glue/adhesive to the rest of the panel back in a vertical straight line pattern with beads of glue/adhesive only 4 inches apart or less

5. Apply the faux stone panel to the wall. Use a slight twisting motion to ensure good contact with the glue/adhesive and the wall. Make sure the panel is level.

6. Begin fastening the faux stone panel to the outside wall with screws all around the perimeter at roughly one foot apart or less. Additional screws should be placed in the middle of the panel at a rate of about 1 screw per square foot. All screws should be very slightly recessed below the surface of the panel. Do not over tighten the screws.

Hint: Placing screws under protruding rocks, in crevices, or grout lines, will help conceal them and give a cleaner/more realistic look.

7. Add adhesive to the lip of the faux stone panel where the next panel will overlap, about 1 inch away from the textured face of the panel.

8. Add the textured caulk to the crease where the panels will meet. This is very important to ensure a weather-tight seal.

Steps 7 & 8 help maintain the integrity of the panel installation by preventing any possible flexing or separation of the product due to extreme temperature and humidity changes once the installation is complete. Use the textured caulk to conceal the screw heads as well.

9. Repeat steps 4-8 for the next faux stone panel to be installed. Place it onto the wall next to the first panel. Keep the panel level. Press the panels firmly against the wall with a slight wiggle motion to help spread the glue.
Install the panel very tightly against the first faux stone panel, as they may expand and contract with temperature changes. Continue repeating steps 4-9 until your first row is complete.

10. Use a damp cloth to wipe off any excess textured caulk before it dries. A wet finger, paint brush, or other such tool can assist in smoothing and blending the caulk. Use the textured caulk to also fill in any voids, gaps, screw heads, or spaces. Click here for more details on caulking panels.

11. If you are installing multiple rows of faux stone panels, start on the next row above the one just completed. Repeat steps 4-9 for the next row of faux stone panels to be installed.

Note: The panels are designed to butt up to each other bottom to top. This 'shiplap' joint should be glued and caulked as described in steps 7 & 8 to ensure a tight seal and seamless look.
For a more random look, offset each row by a half sheet. This will make pattern repeats less noticeable.

12. Using the paint from the Touch-up Kit, paint the FauxPanels, screw heads, and textured caulk as needed. Click here for more details on Touching Up Wellington Panels.

Stand back and admire your handiwork.