When it comes to do-it-yourself stone veneer installation, here are three tips that can save you more than a few headaches. If you will apply these ideas, your stone veneer will fit together better, you'll have less cleanup to do, and the end result will look totally authentic.

Stone veneer installation is not difficult at all, and these tips will have you putting up your veneer like a professional.

Proper surface preparation will make everything else go more easily. What you want to achieve is a level surface without making it too smooth. For example, if you are covering a block wall, you'll need to apply a thin coat of mortar to smooth out the grout lines in the wall.

However, the mortar that you apply should retain a little "roughness" so that the veneer will adhere well. By making the surface as flat as possible, you will avoid any issues with uneven panels when you put them up.

Many people naturally start their stone veneer installation at the bottom of the wall and work up. In fact, many installation instructions tell you to do it this way.

However, there is no reason you can't start at the top and work down. Why should this matter? Well, as you apply stone veneer to your surface, varying amounts of mortar will squeeze out from behind.

If you work from the bottom up, mortar from panels above may drip onto the installed panels below. To avoid marring the surface, these drips must be wiped immediately. If you start from the top and work down, you will eliminate this particular problem. You can drip away without fear of hitting any veneer below.

As you work with your stone veneer installation, you should carefully fit the panels as closely together as possible. Expert stonemasons agree that less grout between sections translates into much more authentic and believable stone. If you leave space and assume you'll fill it in with grout later, you may not be pleased with the final result. That's also why surface prep is important. A flatter surface makes for better fitting stone veneer panels.

Stone veneer installation can be an enjoyable home project that adds loads of curb appeal to your residence. If you apply these tips while you work, you will be much happier when the project is complete. Take the time to prepare a flat surface for the panels to adhere to.

Try starting your stone veneer installation from the top to minimize mortar drips on panels below. And work for a tight fit with minimal amounts of grout to make to final appearance more real. When everyone sees how great a job you've done, you just might become the neighborhood expert on stone veneer installation.