
Plain concrete block or dated stucco does not have to be the last word on your home. We install stone veneer built to survive Yakima winters, not just look good the first week.

Stone veneer installation in Yakima, WA involves preparing the existing wall surface, applying a moisture barrier and metal mesh base, then setting natural or manufactured stone by hand with mortar, with most residential projects completed in two to five days.
Stone veneer is not a structural material - it is a decorative layer applied over concrete block, wood framing, or an existing wall. That distinction matters because the work is more accessible and less expensive than full stone construction, while the finished result looks identical. If you have a home in Yakima that is plain concrete block, aging stucco, or simply lacks curb appeal, stone veneer is one of the highest-return upgrades you can make to the exterior.
Interior projects are also popular and faster to complete. If you want to upgrade a fireplace surround or add an accent wall to a living room, our stone masonry work covers those applications alongside exterior veneer projects.
If your home's front face is plain concrete block, old stucco, or worn wood siding, it may look tired next to newer homes in your neighborhood. Stone veneer is one of the most effective ways to give an older Yakima home an updated look without a full rebuild. Even covering just the lower third of the front facade can make a dramatic difference from the street.
White chalky streaks running down a wall are called efflorescence - mineral salts pushed out by moisture moving through the masonry. It means water is getting into your wall somewhere and working its way out. If you see this on a surface where you are considering stone veneer, the moisture source needs to be identified and fixed before any new stone goes on.
If you already have decorative stone or brick and you are noticing cracks in the mortar, stones that feel loose when you press on them, or gaps where the stone meets a window frame, the original installation is failing. In Yakima's freeze-thaw climate, small cracks do not stay small - water gets in, freezes, and expands the crack every winter.
If your fireplace is just painted drywall or bare concrete block, or a dining room wall feels flat, stone veneer is a popular interior upgrade. Interior projects do not require the same weatherproofing as exterior work, so they tend to be faster and less disruptive to your daily routine.
Every exterior veneer project we build starts with the wall behind the stone, not the stone itself. We install a weather-resistant moisture barrier over the existing surface, then a metal mesh layer that gives the mortar something to grip, then a scratch coat base before the first stone is ever set. That layered system is what keeps water out of your wall through Yakima winters. We work with both natural stone - quarried rock with natural color variation - and manufactured stone, which is made from concrete and pigment and is often more consistent in color and lighter in weight. For homeowners considering a related project, we also build concrete block walls that can serve as the substrate for a veneer application, handling both stages as one coordinated job.
Interior veneer work follows a simplified process since there is no weather barrier required - we clean and prep the surface, apply the stone directly, and grout the joints to finish. Whether it is a fireplace surround, a bar wall, or a full living room accent, interior stone transforms a room quickly. For homeowners who want a more traditional full-depth masonry look, our stone masonry service covers structural and full-thickness stone applications.
Best for homeowners who want to transform the look of a plain concrete block, stucco, or aging wood-siding exterior on the front or sides of their home.
Best for homes where a targeted upgrade - around the garage entry, on the front gable, or along the foundation line - gives strong curb appeal without covering the entire facade.
Best for interior projects where the existing surround is plain painted drywall or bare block and you want a natural stone look without major construction.
Best for dining rooms, living rooms, or bar areas where stone veneer on a single wall creates a focal point without the cost or complexity of an exterior project.
Yakima sits in a high desert valley where winter nights regularly drop below freezing and daytime temperatures climb back above it - sometimes multiple times in the same week. That back-and-forth puts real stress on any exterior masonry. Moisture that gets behind stone veneer freezes, expands, and loosens stones over time. This means the moisture barrier and weep screed at the base of the wall are not optional details - they are the difference between a veneer that holds for decades and one that starts failing in a few years. A contractor familiar with Yakima conditions will treat those layers as the core of the job, not an afterthought. Homeowners in Selah and surrounding hillside neighborhoods see this issue especially clearly, since their north-facing walls hold moisture longer after winter precipitation.
Summer timing also matters here. Yakima regularly sees temperatures above 90 degrees from June through September, and mortar applied in peak afternoon heat cures too fast, producing a weaker bond. Experienced local crews schedule exterior work for early morning during summer months or plan projects for spring and fall when conditions are more forgiving. Homeowners in Zillah and the lower valley sometimes have an additional consideration: walls near grade level can wick moisture upward from irrigation-saturated soil, which is another reason a proper weep screed matters on every exterior installation. The Masonry Veneer Manufacturers Association publishes detailed installation standards covering moisture management that we follow on every project.
When you reach out, we ask a few basic questions - what surface you want covered, roughly how large the area is, and whether you have a style in mind. We reply within one business day. This is not a commitment; it is enough information to schedule a visit and give you a rough sense of whether the project fits your budget before anyone drives out.
We come to your home, look at the wall in person, and take measurements. We check the condition of the existing surface, note any prep work needed, and talk through stone style options with you. Within a few days you receive a written estimate that breaks down labor, materials, and prep costs separately - not a single lump number.
For most exterior projects in Yakima, we apply for a building permit through the City of Yakima before work begins. This typically takes a few business days to a couple of weeks. Once the permit is in hand, you get a start date and a day-by-day schedule so you can plan around the disruption.
We prep the wall, set the stone from the bottom up, and grout the joints once the mortar has cured. Before we leave, we do a final walkthrough with you. If a city inspector needs to sign off on the permit, we schedule that visit around the project completion.
No obligation. We give you a written estimate and answer every question before any work begins.
(509) 654-9682Every exterior veneer installation we complete includes a moisture barrier and weep screed system designed for local climate conditions. That is not a marketing claim - it is the specific layer that keeps moisture from getting trapped behind the stone where Yakima winters can damage it.
We give you an itemized written estimate that breaks out labor, materials, and prep separately before a single stone is touched. If we find wall damage during prep that changes the scope, we talk to you before proceeding - not after the bill is already different.
We manage the City of Yakima building permit application, coordinate the inspection, and make sure the paperwork is in order. When you sell or refinance your home, there is a clean permit record showing the work was done correctly - which matters to buyers and lenders.
A significant share of Yakima's housing stock was built before 1970, and those homes often have older stucco or wood-siding walls that need careful prep before stone veneer can go on. We have done this work on mid-century homes throughout the valley and know what to look for before any stone is ordered.
These proof points add up to a straightforward promise: the stone veneer we install holds up through Yakima winters, the price you agree to is the price you pay, and the permit paperwork is handled for you. We also verify our contractor registration status is current with the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, which you can confirm yourself before signing anything.
A solid concrete block wall makes an ideal substrate for stone veneer, and we can build both in a single coordinated project.
Learn MoreFor full-depth structural stone work on walls, columns, or garden features that require more than a veneer application.
Learn MoreSpring and fall booking slots fill quickly - reach out now to lock in your project before the best weather windows are taken.