Although mortared stonework can cost up to twice as much as the same work dry laid, safety or aesthetic reasons make it preferable in some applications. Avoid using mortar as a substitute for fitting stone to stone or as an attempt to defy gravity. For home improvement and landscaping, mortared stonework is more popular in [...]
With the exception of placing specimen stones, the following steps apply to working with stone. While the steps may be the same no matter which type of stone you use, the work is most challenging when the stones are irregularly shaped. Without experience, it may be hard to believe that the quality and overall look [...]
The specific tools you will use depend on both the project itself and the type of stone you are using. Besides general construction and landscaping tools, you’ll use tools to shape, split and cut stone. Other tools will help you move and set large stones. For mortared projects, you will also need tools for mixing [...]
As we discussed in Stone As A Building Material, our first post on this subject, stone is never homogeneous; there can be variations in quality even among different stones from the same quarry. It takes vigilance, visual inspection and an occasional whack of a hammer to evaluate the quality of a specific type of stone. [...]
The stone for your project can come from any number of sources, including quarries and garden centers. But don’t overlook other sources, such as your own backyard, the fields near your home, streams and demolition or blasting sites. In many of those areas, the stone is free. Due to obvious shipping and storage problems, most [...]
The following are common words used in the landscaping trade to describe different types of stone. You may also find other words used that are specific to a geographic region. Visit a stoneyard to learn about the types of stone available to you. Ashlar – any stone cut to a square or rectangular shape in [...]
Have you collected numerous photos of stonework constructed with a particular kind of stone or pattern? Perhaps a particular color, texture or shape of stone dominates your samples. It’s a good indication that you’re forming personal preferences about stonework when these decision making patterns begin to emerge. Notice what is most outstanding about the projects [...]
When you work with stone, you make decisions about the qualities of the stone you use, the quantities or distribution of the stone and the way that the project transitions to its surroundings. For flat work such as patios and walkways, you also have to make choices about bedding – how the stone is set [...]
Stone may be the most versatile landscape building material available. Its qualities of strength and durability make it an excellent choice for garden paths, patios and walls. The decorative side of stone provides those landscape elements with a unique sense of style and makes stone a good choice for water features, rock gardens and well-placed [...]
