I live in a house that is stone, and well the person who lived here before me replaced the windows, and a couple he left unfinished. The problem is that there is about a foot gap around the bathroom window and about a foot gap above the bedroom windows. Instead of framing wood around them I would like to place the stone around them so that it would look like the house. I have piles of stone that matches and I bought mortar and brick ties, I was just curious of how much trouble it is going to be to fill in around these windows, and if anyone can point me in the direction of videos or step by step to setting stone and mortar. All help is greatly appreciated on this since i have yet to start and although I have done tile and framing construction I have never had to do brick or stone. I have no pics but if needed I will try and get some and update this thread or post them.

Thanks

 

Welcome to the forums! As unusual as this seems, it would really benefit us to have a few pictures of the situation (not close ups, please). That way, we can see what you see.

 

I guess its not 12" that or these pictures dont do justice but this is the problem I am working on.

 

That's good. It's at least 8". You'll have to install two vertical pieces of 2x lumber along side the window frame at the same plane as the exterior lumber so you will have a nailer to place your OSB on. Then apply tar paper and metal lath. Then a scratch coat of masonry mix (usually 5:1, sand/concrete) Then you can butter your stone and apply it to the scratch coat, hopefully keeping the plane similar to the surrounding stone. If not, you'll need to cut them on the back slightly.

Second window down, I would extend the jamb out past the rock using 2x lumber so you can pack in mortar mix to make the finish. I don't think you will need any more rock there.

The bottom one seems to be the only one with any sanity in it.

Hope this helps some. Others will add their advice, so keep checking back. Good luck and ask away!!

 

Thanks I will work on that.

 

Keep in mind that the original stone framework lines will be visible, after you infill with new stone. That's because of the straight lines in the original stonework edges at each window, instead of meandering mortar lines. The only way to eliminate same is to remove a few of the smaller stones along each line, and replace them with longer ones that project into the areas you are trying to fill.

It also looks like some of the original stone work needs tuckpointing; areas of loose mortar are definitely visible.