Custom stone moldings
CNC-routed and hand-carved stone moldings: cornices, baseboards, window and door surrounds, arches, and crown. Any profile, any scale.
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All stone sourced from quarries in Mexico · Per project request · 4–8 week lead time for Southern California projects
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Common questions about custom stone molding
From stone origin and material selection to installation requirements and maintenance.
What stone is used for Colonial Mexican architectural moldings?▼
Cantera and Chiluca are the defining stones of Mexican Colonial architecture. The elaborate cornices, window surrounds, arches, and pilasters of Mexico's 16th to 18th century churches and haciendas were hand-carved from these stones.
Where are NexaBuilder stone moldings fabricated?▼
Stone moldings are CNC-profiled and hand-finished in workshops in Queretaro and Estado de Mexico. CNC routing ensures dimensional consistency across long runs. Arches and non-linear profiles are hand-carved by maestros.
How are stone moldings installed on exterior walls?▼
Adhered with epoxy adhesive at 100% coverage and mechanically pinned with stainless pins every 16 inches. Corner returns are mitered and face-pinned. Arched moldings require temporary wood shoring until adhesive achieves full cure of minimum 72 hours.
What is the difference between a stone lintel and a stone arch?▼
A lintel is a straight horizontal beam that carries load in bending and must be structurally rated. An arch carries load in compression through curved geometry, more efficient for stone, and can span greater openings without steel support.
Can stone moldings be installed over existing stucco?▼
Yes, if the stucco is sound and properly bonded. Loose or cracked stucco must be repaired first. Apply bonding agent to the stucco surface before setting molding.
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Installation & Finishing Guide
Materials, methods, finishing products, tools, and pricing guidance for stone moldings installation in Southern California.
Structural & Setting Requirements
Stone moldings are adhered with latex-modified thin-set for interior or epoxy adhesive for exterior. Corner returns are mitered and face-pinned with stainless pins grouted flush. Arched moldings over openings require temporary shoring until mortar achieves full cure (72 hours minimum). Fill joints with color-matched non-sanded grout; tooled concave joint is most weatherproof.
Standard setting mortar: Type S masonry cement + washed plaster sand (1:3 ratio). For wet areas and pools: white latex-modified thin-set. Never use pre-mixed mastic in wet or exterior applications.
Natural stone is heavy. Calculate dead load per square foot: cantera avg 12–14 lbs/ft², travertine 13–15 lbs/ft², quartzite 16–18 lbs/ft². Submit loads to structural engineer for any overhead or load-bearing applications.
For any wet-area application, apply crystalline waterproofing membrane (XYPEX, Kryton, or equivalent) to substrate before stone setting. Two coats at 90° to each other. Allow full cure before setting stone.
Cleaning, Sealing & Enhancement
After mortar cure (72 hrs), clean with pH-neutral stone-safe cleaner. Remove grout haze with manufacturer-recommended haze remover — not muriatic acid, which damages porous stone. Rinse thoroughly.
Apply penetrating impregnator sealer (silane/siloxane blend) after cleaning and full cure. Exterior: StoneTech BulletProof or equivalent. Pool-adjacent: chlorine-resistant formula. Re-seal every 1–3 years.
For color enhancement (wet-look or natural finish), use enhancer + sealer combo product. Test on back of sample piece first — some stones will darken significantly. Enhancement is permanent.
pH-neutral cleaner only for daily cleaning. No vinegar, bleach, or citrus. For stain removal, use stone poultice appropriate to stain type (oil, rust, organic). Re-seal on schedule. Inspect joints annually.
Tools & Jobsite Equipment
- Angle grinder with 4″ diamond blade
- Wet tile saw with diamond blade (7″–10″)
- Hand-held circular saw with segmented diamond blade
- Stone chisel set + 3 lb mash hammer
- Bull-nose router bit (for edge profiles)
- Laser level (rotary, self-leveling)
- 4’ and 6’ bubble level
- Rubber mallet + wooden beating block
- Notched trowel (1/2″ square-notch for thick-set)
- Suction cup lifters (for large slabs)
- Stone spacers (3/8″ and 1/2″)
- Grout float (for wide joints)
- Grout bag + nozzle (for raked joints)
- Sponges + 5-gal buckets
- Caulk gun (for silicone joints)
- Painter’s tape (protect stone from mortar drips)
- Stone dolly / panel cart (for heavy slabs)
- Mortar mixer (drum or paddle)
- Scaffolding or pump jack (elevated work)
- Vacuum + HEPA filter (silica dust control)
- PPE: N95 respirator, safety glasses, cut-resistant gloves
Cutting dry stone generates crystalline silica dust — a known carcinogen causing silicosis. Always wet-cut or use vacuum dust collection. Never dry-cut cantera or travertine without N95 minimum respiratory protection.
Pricing a Stone Moldings Job
All stone is sourced and imported from Mexico per project. Lead time is typically 4–8 weeks from order confirmation. Do not schedule installation without confirmed delivery date and full material inspection on arrival.
Order 10–15% overage on all stone — breakage, cuts, and pattern matching demand extra material. Once a lot leaves the quarry, matching is nearly impossible. Leftover stone has resale value; short material stalls the project.
Include in your bid: substrate prep, waterproofing, structural steel (if required), mortar and grout materials, sealer, equipment rental, and disposal. Stone is often 40–60% of project cost.
Always inspect stone in person before full order — photos don’t capture variation, color, or finish accurately. Request samples of the actual lot. Verify dimensions are exact before cutting begins.
Ready to order stone moldings?
All stone is sourced per project from Mexico. Request a quote and we’ll match you with a CSLB-verified stone contractor and confirm material availability.
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