Switchplate covers for stone veneer wall?
LH CO/FL
last year
last modified: last year
Hi Houzz,
We have interior and exterior stone veneer walls and by code, had to put in electrical outlets. Looking for something more attractive than plastic switchplate covers for the outlets. The stone is a Colorado buff sandstone - thick blocks. Builder can build up grout or sanded caulk to fill the gaps and use extended boxes, but what switchplates would you suggest? House is a mountain industrial modern design with lots of exposed steel beams and matte black finishes.
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LH CO/FL
last yearRelated Discussions
Supporting stone veneer wall - Footing??
Comments (7)If you leave a gap there's a good likelihood of water finding its way in there. I live in a 100 year old house- trust me, I know how water loves finding any and every crack and crevice. I can't speak as to the "right" way to do a stone veneered, 2x4 framed porch add-on because I've never seen it done that way. It's not how I would do it. Where I've seen structures built with framing, backer board, and veneer is usually outdoor kitchens (and they use steel studs anyhow). They can work because they're all supported on a poured slab, so even if the slab moves/settles, it's all doing it together. If I were building this, first of all I'd be ooked out by the idea of wood framing in contact with the ground and tied into the house (because removing the siding and attaching to the structure is what I would do). Then I'd also be concerned about how I'm supporting the walls and columns without them shifting or settling differentially. To be honest, I would do footers to frost depth (or deeper if it's a new construction home), and at that point I may as well use CMUs (concrete block) for the structure. And then if I was going through all THAT, I'd just jackhammer out the stoop and start from scratch so it was all one piece and I didn't have to worry about independent parts moving. But again, I'm looking at this through the lens of how I would approach this as a pro. As a homeowner job where you're accepting all your own liability- it could work, I guess. Maybe. As far as the design end of things, I always think in terms of having Thanksgiving at your house. With your existing porch Sid, Myrna, and their three kids can't all stand on the landing while you come to the door, but there's still kind of a connection between the up and down spaces. with what you have drawn, it's almost like mom and dad are in the vestibule and the kids are still outside. But that's just one person's thought; I'm sure others will disagree. Yay internet!...See Moreswitchplate covers on backsplash
Comments (15)Never thought of spraying them.... I agree that all of the decorative plates will draw attention to themselves. Not something I want to do but they'll draw attention anyway so they may as well be pretty. I ordered one of each plate to see up close and personal. I have other places in the house picked out to use them if I don't like them in the kitchen. As for cleaning. There are only two plates that could potentially get messy...dust/air grease might be another issue but even that should be minimal on most of them....might just be another thing to do once a year when I seal granite and floors huh? If I were doing granite b/s, I'd consider the custom plates but with the tiles, not sure I want to go that route. Boy, it'd be simple if I were doing a white b/s!!!...See MoreStone veneer over a wavy concrete retaining wall
Comments (5)I'm mostly in agreement with yardvaark. Certainly the wall was built by someone not knowledgeable in how to form for a wall (maybe a homeowner?). The wall does point out the fact that even when done by an amateur, poured concrete walls are often long lasting. If the wall is 2ft high and has no lean or evidence of failure, then I think it is likely that there is suitable footer and probably rebar tying the wall to footer. It's a shame the forming was not done well. It looks problematic to do a veneer on this wall. The footer does not appear to extend far enough in front of the wall to provide support for the veneer. If not, only thin light weight materials can be used for the veneer. Getting the face evened out for a thin veneer is beyond the skill of most, even those who often work with concrete. The likely result would probably disappoint you. I would suggest breaking out the wall to the footer. The footer may or may not be suitable for a new wall. Add to the old footer or pour a new one to be slightly higher than the walk. Form for a new wall with the wall face 4 inches back from the edge of the footer.The result should be a perfectly flat wall where even a homeowner could do a reasonable job of installing veneer. If you decide to go this way I can give you directions on how to do a homeowner style of forming and how to do drainage through the wall....See MoreFaux Stone Veneer
Comments (8)Yes, the vertical "siding" that is wood. A number of the homes in our area (we live in a small subdivision) have the wood siding with either stucco or brick. Some have added the slab type stone, either rough or smooth around entrance ways. What we are looking at is used on new homes here in different ways. I don't think we will go up part of the way up. Its not that large of an area and if only used on the bottom half or around the door, I don't think it would be much of an improvement. What we are doing is done fairly frequently to older homes. I was just asking for suggestions as we have seen it put on parts of all the front walls of some homes. I felt that was too much, especially since we have tall shrubs in areas. I have a picture of what we think we will use but I have to get it off my phone first....See More
PROMark Bischak, Architect
last year- PRO
- PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
last year
Eliminate this outlet, it is a poor location for an electrical outlet.
LH CO/FL
last yearlast modified: last year- PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
last year LH CO/FL
last yearlast modified: last year- PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
last year LH CO/FL
last yearLH CO/FL
last year- PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
last yearI would put the interior outlet in a floor outlet and cover it with a good looking umbrella stand.
Don't let this happen to you. Luckily it is behind the bushes.
LH CO/FL
last year
acm
last yearoutdoor ones are more limited, as you need to protect the outlets with some kind of cover when not in use, as opposed to inside, where you can do any sort of buff outlet cover... there are also "nickel" ones that have a sort of brownish tone that disappears into brown tile or stone.
Brag pics · More InfoGet a sample of one like that and maybe this one, and try them against the stone...
ShadyWillowFarm
last yearLH CO/FL
last yearLH CO/FL
last year
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