While spring and summer are peak times for construction work and renovations, Canadian winters are long and pausing for a whole season means missing out on a big part of the year. Fortunately, if you’re working with mechanically fastened stone veneer, there’s no need to delay your project.

For a smooth and successful installation in cold weather, follow these helpful tips:

1.   Choose products designed for chilly temperatures

Working with a quality product is the first step to completing any project in winter without interruption or a significant expense. For peace of mind, use Fusion Stone, which can be installed in just about any weather, wet or dry. Our stone veneer is nearly impervious to temperature-related contraction and expansion – a common problem with other building materials and stone veneer products.

Because the installation process is simple, quick, and mortar free, there’s also no need to worry about special hoarding or heating arrangements. This means your project site can stay open and active, saving you time and money.

2.   Arm yourself with the right tools for the job

Installing our stone veneer is so easy that you’ll only need a few tools that you probably already have around your home — a tape measure, level, grinder with masonry blade, and a power drill. Everything else you need comes in our kit, including the correct drill bit and stainless-steel screws.

Of course, since you’re working outdoors in winter, be sure to bundle up with a warm coat that lets you move easily, slip-resistant footwear, a hat, and fingerless gloves to keep your hands toasty yet nimble.

3.   Prepare your surface for installation

A little effort up front can save you time and frustration down the line, so be sure to prep your surface before beginning. Fusion Stone must be installed on ½-inch plywood or 7/16-inch OSB substrate, an engineered material made up of multiple layers of wood fibre or strands compressed together. Whatever material you’re using, ensure the surface has been covered in a code-approved, breathable, and water-resistant barrier.

4.   Check out step-by-step online guides and resources

Whether you’re a DIYer or industry pro, it never hurts to take a quick look at tips and how-to instructions from the manufacturer. Nowadays, many resources are available online, including print manuals and short videos for visual learners.

For example, there’s a detailed step-by-step installation guide for each of our product lines, plus how-to videos that cover everything from clip locations to corner stones to cutting. You can even take advantage of our easy-to-follow project planning tool to calculate your product requirements.

Before you start work, be sure to check out our tools, guides and videos, and save them to your phone for easy reference on the jobsite.

Find more answers to frequently asked installation questions here.