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What most people perceive as a stone wall is actually a stone fence when it's used to mark boundaries rather than act as a barrier. Even if you're an amateur, you can build your own stone fence by following these instructions.
Steps
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Start by getting a lot of stones, fairly consistent with the size of the wall you're building. Get big stones for a big wall, smaller stones for a smaller wall. [1] X Research source Make sure you have a good supply of smaller stones that can fill gaps. You may want to use stone blocks. -
Make sure the spot is sturdy before you start, and will hold your wall. If the base is uneven, use a leveling line to correct it.Advertisement -
Decide how wide and how long it should be, where you want it and how high it should be (mark this, either with ruler/yardstick or a grid/blueprint). -
As a rule, a dry stacked wall should lean in towards the top 1/6 of the height. [2] X Research source -
Lay out a side rail (with something long like sticks, rulers, wood, small stones) to guide you, and outline where you want your wall, so that your wall is consistent. To make a straight and level wall, get string or flagging tape and tie it between posts on both ends of the fence. Make sure to tie the string / flagging tape at the height you want your fence to use as a guide. [3] X Research source -
You may want to call for help. Call a professional, strong friends, or neighbors who can help you. Use a wheelbarrow or a handcart to move heavy stones. Extraordinarily large stones may need to be moved with special power equipment. -
Put a layer of larger flat rocks along the inside of your wall. Make sure you fill in the spaces, and it's a fairly even layer, and patch-in holes/spaces with dirt or more dirt to give you a good base. -
Continue to build up layers until your base is high enough, and check to ensure that it's level. To make a strong wall try to place each stone over the gap between two stones beneath it. [4] X Research source
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow do I attach a fence post to a stone wall? Like a wooden fence post?Sina Kamran is a Hardscaping Specialist and the Owner of Design Scapes, Inc. in Santa Monica, California. With over 15 years of experience, he specializes in customized, site-specific hardscaping and landscaping design/build projects. He's a certified National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA) designer, a certified installer with the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI), and a Rain Bird Certified Irrigation Professional. Additionally, Design Scapes, Inc. has many 5-star rated reviews.For a natural stone wall composed of boulders and rocks, you can securely attach items by setting them in concrete behind the wall. It's essential to ensure proper anchoring. In the case of walls that appear to be natural stone but are actually veneers over a cinderblock wall, attachments can be made to the cinderblock wall beneath the veneer.
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Tips
- The ways in which a wall defies these common sense rules often is what makes it beautiful. Don't be afraid to experiment with irregular sizes and shapes.Thanks
- If you have a particularly pretty rock, attempt to find a place for it as an edge or top stone.Thanks
- Use "native" stone whenever possible: that is, local stone better fits the landscape (eg, color, mosses, lichens, etc.) than trucked-in stone.Thanks
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Warnings
- Make sure it's safe, not on top of any wires or any plumbing outlets.Thanks
- Make sure you build your wall in a safe, sturdy place.Thanks
- If it's not built correctly it may fall, so beware of any balance issues.Thanks
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Things You'll Need
- Stones or Stone Blocks (Amount depends on the width of your wall.), gravel and stone dust.
- Wheelbarrow, Mason's Hammer, Cold Chisels, Brick Hammer.
- Sticks, Rulers, Wood, or Small Stones (For side rail.)
- Gloves, Safety goggles with side shields
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about asphalt cleaning and maintenance, check out our in-depth interview with Sina Kamran .
References
About This Article
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