I am attempting to install an antique, three pane, wood frame window, 12″ x 36″, into a fieldstone rock veneer wall. The rocks are from this area in the Texas Hill Country, and I thought they were limestone, although they turn out to be quite hard. I presently have available to cut the opening with a Sawzall and a carbide 8″ blade, a framing saw with a 7 1/4″ MK diamond bit blade and a rock hammer. I made no progress yesterday with the Sawzall, except for slicing the mortar and today I guess i’ll try the framing saw (score the faces of the larger thicker rocks and try to break them.) Anyhow, for future purposes and even tomorrow if the above isn’t successful, does anyone have advice/experience with cutting openings in already constructed rock veneer walls. My great appreciation, in advance.
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Maybe a rotary hammer could drill some starter holes then clean out in hammer mode with a chisel, or a cement saw with a diamond blade would work. I've never tried cutting through a rock wall.
Thanks Mark; i'm headed to the rental supply. i like the hammer drill idea, but this exterior is suspect, as the "builder" didn't tie on the veneer, at all, anywhere, and the visibly vibrating rock face gives me some concern. i'm sold on the cement saw suggestion.
Just a suggestion as I've never done this, but a similar topic has come up in enlarging brick veneer walls for windows, doors, etc.
Can you remove the rock pieces whole by chipping through the mortar lines ?
Make an outline of the opening on the rocks while they are still in place.
Remove the appropriate pieces and then cut them to the line.
This would eliminate the concern with damaging the wall from vibration and you may have more options in making a clean cut with better clamping/securing the rock pieces.
Mortal the cut pieces back in place.
Thanks Ahneedhelp. i've wreaked havok on this portion of this remodel, but i think it worked out fairly okay. Lots of remortar and retuck to go. However, i like your idea very much, and i'm going to employ the technique on my/our house for the long-delayed installation of a single French door out of our bedroom onto the deck. Thanks for the suggestion.