stone veneer anchor

[Statik]

I designed a 4” wide stone veneer 4’ high in front of 2x6 exterior wall, w/ 1” air space, masonry anchors, weepholes, etc.
The mason tells me that he usually installs a drain mat and nails a galvanized mesh right through it. The mortar squeezes into the mesh and then holds the stone in leu of anchors. He keeps a bit more space behind weepholes and fills that with peastone gravel. Is that acceptable?
I wonder if temperature changes (this is upstate NY) will expand and contract the mesh and the mortar shears off?

 

[DaveAtkins]

I'm not comfortable with his idea. Small stone panels (say a band of 12" or 16" high pieces) can be mortared into the brick veneer, with typical brick veneer anchors used, but you are talking about much larger panels. I recommend the stone anchors, probably four per panel (two dowels into the foundation wall and two anchors at the top of each panel). Keep in mind you will get a larger force into the studs which are connected to the top of the stone panels.

DaveAtkins

 

[DeSignO]

Your mason sounds right IMHO. Normally, stone veneer is applied to mortar, like, a veneer ! This is not brick masonry. Large temperature changes won't affect the mesh. It is too thin.