Wall Panel Installation Guide

STRATUM Wall Panel Installation Guide

For easy-to-follow steps, see our Videos.

Recommended Tools & Safety Gear

Safety: Dust mask (N95), safety glasses, hearing protection
Tools: Measuring tape, carpenter’s level (preferably 2-4 ft long), pencil, caulk gun (for adhesive), pin nailer gun and pin nails
Cutting Tools: Cut-off saw (miter saw) with fine-tooth wood/finishing blade, drill, jigsaw, painter’s tape, drop cloths to catch dust
Materials: Construction adhesive (e.g., PL-400), electrical outlet box extenders

Step 1: Surface Preparation

Turn off power: Switch off the circuit breakers for any outlets or switches on the installation wall.
Clean the wall: Ensure the wall surface is clean, completely dry, and free of protruding nails or screws.
Remove fixtures: Take off all outlet covers, light switchplates, wall art, and baseboards (if applicable).

Step 2: Sort and Dry-Fit Your Material

Color & Veining: Natural stone features unique variations in pattern, color and texture. Sorting panels in advance by laying them out face-up on the floor allows you to blend colors and veining smoothly across your space.
Pattern Layout: Stagger the panels in a classic brickwork (offset) pattern to overlap vertical joints. This creates a natural, seamless look.

· As you sort your panels, you may notice some slight variations in elevation between panels may occur, which is normal.

Step 3: Draw Your Horizontal Reference Line

Mark Eye Level: Measure up from the floor to eye level (typically 57" to 65") near the center of the wall and make a pencil mark. (Note: If aligning with a focal point like a fireplace mantle, use that height instead.)
Draw the Benchmark: Place your carpenter’s level on the mark, center the bubble, and draw a line along the level. Extend this line across the full width of the wall by sliding the level left and right, ensuring the bubble remains centered.
Check the Floor: Measure down from your guideline to the floor at several points. Floors are rarely level; knowing where the floor dips or rises helps when trimming the bottom row later.

Step 4: Apply Your First Row (Eye-Level Benchmark)

Find the Center: Measure the total width of the wall and mark the exact center on your guideline.
Apply Adhesive: Apply construction adhesive to the back of your first panel in a serpentine (S-shape) pattern, adding a nickel-sized dollop near each corner.
Mount the Center Panel: Align the top edge of your center panel along the guideline, centered on your mark. You will have a few seconds to adjust the panel before the glue starts to adhere. Press panel firmly against the wall.
Anchor with Pin Nails: Because walls are rarely perfectly flat, shoot 18-gauge brad nails or pin nails into the corners through the face of the panel to hold it firmly while the glue cures.
Expand Left and Right: Install adjacent panels along the guideline, alternating left and right, snugging each panel edge against the previous one until full panels no longer fit at the wall ends.

Step 5: Complete Upper and Lower Rows

Work your way down toward the floor first, maintaining the staggered brick pattern (centering each joint over the panel below it).
Once the lower section is installed, work your way up toward the ceiling.

Step 6: Cutting Edge & Corner Panels

⚠️ Safety Notice: Always wear safety glasses and a dust mask when cutting thin stone and MDF.

Cutting Tool: Use a cut-off/miter saw equipped with a fine-tooth wood finishing blade.
Preparation: Cut panels with the stone side face DOWN to minimize the risk of chipping. Applying painters tape to your cut line before cutting will further reduce the risk of damage to the stone.
Measuring: Measure the gap at the end of each row. Subtract 1/8" to account for walls that may not be straight, then cut the panel to size.
Ceiling Gap: If a small gap remains near the ceiling, ceiling lines are often uneven; leaving a small uniform gap or covering it with trim/molding creates a cleaner finish than tight cutouts.

Step 7: Cutting Openings for Electrical Outlets

Measure: Measure horizontally from the edge of the adjacent installed panel to the center of the electrical box, and vertically from the panel below it.
Protect the Surface: Apply painter’s tape over the cutting area on the front face of the panel to protect the stone finish from chipping or scuffing.
Trace: Mark your box measurements onto the taped area.
Cut Out:

Edge Cutouts: Use a jigsaw to cut in from the edge along your marks.
Center Cutouts: Drill starter holes in each interior corner of your traced box using a standard drill bit, then insert the jigsaw blade to cut between the holes.

Box Extenders: Install electrical outlet box extenders onto your electrical boxes so the switches and outlets sit flush with the surface of your new stone wall.

Step 8: Final Touches

Reattach your light switchplates and electrical outlet covers.
Clean up any dust and step back to enjoy your new stone accent wall!

SPECIAL NOTES

Pin nails become virtually invisible on panels that are highly textured or more varied in color. On smoother, more even colored panels like Black, a black Sharpie may be used to blacken any white specks that show up around the pinhole.

Panels should only be used for interior applications and should not be exposed to water, such as in showers, tub surrounds, or saunas.

Our wall panels have enhanced colors. If they are going to be used in areas where splashes of grease and other food-related liquids may occur, it is recommended to apply an additional topical sealer, especially for kitchen backsplashes.

Please note that the installation methods mentioned above are for reference purposes only. If you have any inquiries or require assistance with the installation process, please feel free to contact us at info@stonelitedesigns.com or 1-877-323-1155 and we would be happy to assist you.