Stone "siding"

[CREATIVE1]

We're going with a slab instead of a perimeter foundation, but still want to put stone partway up the house at or below window level, with cedar shakes above.  What underlayment, mortar, waterproofing, etc., would you recommend?

[Redoverfarm]

 CREATIVE1  if you are going with natural stone you will need support all the way to the footing.  If faux or cultured stone weight is really not an issue.  If you are going to use convientional framing then the area where the stone will go needs to have 1/2 ply, water barrier (30# felt or ice guard), followed by lathe wire then a parge coat.  You will need a cap of some type or flashing at the top of the stone slipped under the cedar to cast the water off to the face of the stone rather than letting it drip behind.  Might check out ScottA's post in a couple of days and he can let you know what you are in for.  So far I have done probably 1000 sq ft of it (cultured stone) and it is really not that hard once you get the hang of it.

[CREATIVE1]

It's actually cobblestones which are free in abundance. 

[Redoverfarm]

CREATIVE1  then I think I would make the footing wider to cover the thickness of the cobblestone.  At least the footing.  Depending on how deep your footing is under the finished grade you can either use cobblestone from the footing top or use solid 4" block to get to where you want the cobblestone to start.

These probably need to be laid like bricks being self supporting with a brick tie occassionally.

[John Raabe]

One of your questions is going to be where do you insulate your interior slab?

The best would be to do a an inverted "T" type footing wide enough to support your stonework and then float the interior slab inside a couple of inches of EPS insulation.