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Pile On Style With a Dry-Laid Stone Retaining Wall
Durable, natural and practical, this landscape feature is an art form unto itself
Vice-President of Caviness Landscape Design, Inc. Our nature-inspired designs have been published in numerous national and international media. We love out-of-the-box original creations that fit the personality and lifestyle of the client.
I am a mother of three sons and wife to a incredibly multi-talented man who does everything 110%. I am passionate about travel, outdoor design, gardening, cycling, reading, cooking and wine.
Vice-President of Caviness Landscape Design, Inc. Our nature-inspired... More »
Dry-laid stone retaining walls have been around for ages. Look at the pyramids in Egypt and the stone walls that line much of the European countryside — these structures have stood the test of time.
Unlike dry-joint walls, which use mortar to hold the stones together, properly installed dry-laid stone walls simply use gravity and friction to stay together. Because the walls slope slightly inward, ground movement actually locks the structure tightly together. Concrete footing is not needed, which saves on labor and material costs.
If you're looking for a retaining wall that will stand the test of time, consider dry-laid stone.
Unlike dry-joint walls, which use mortar to hold the stones together, properly installed dry-laid stone walls simply use gravity and friction to stay together. Because the walls slope slightly inward, ground movement actually locks the structure tightly together. Concrete footing is not needed, which saves on labor and material costs.
If you're looking for a retaining wall that will stand the test of time, consider dry-laid stone.
Dry-laid stone walls create a sense of definition, space and privacy in a landscape. They also retain the soil in varied terrains. If you have a home on a hilly terrain and desire different levels of landscape, this art form may be a good option.
| Kinds of stone used. Consider using native stone in your area for dry-laid retaining walls. Fieldstone and boulders create a more natural look, while layered flagstone can provide a groomed and clean look. You can also integrate boulders within the wall, as shown here, to combine both. Stone with a sandy texture, such as the red sandstone found in the American Southwest, may not be wise to use around a pool or patio area because of the sandy residue that can accumulate. |
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by KellyBaron
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| Benefits of dry-laid stone retaining walls:
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| Installing the stone. Achieving a sound structure means adhering to specific guidelines. When choosing a contractor, make sure he or she is experienced in the craft and check out previous work. Each stone is hand chiseled to fit within the wall, and there are no wobbly stones. Stone wedges are used to stabilize rocks within the wall. Rubble rock, or backfill, is placed behind the cut stones to help with the integrity of the wall. |
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| Cost. Labor costs vary greatly, depending on the area and the expertise of the contractor, but usually are between $36 and $45 per square foot. Materials are extra. |
| Design options. Dry-laid stone retaining walls can complement most landscape designs. Curving lines or structured lines create definitive boundaries from one space to another. The retaining wall pictured above has a stone bench integrated within the structure. If you are limited in space for seating, why not integrate seating into your wall? |
Comments
kennedytarheel all beautiful!
8 months ago · Like
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K.O.H. Construction Corporation These walls are truly the work of an artisan. I too am a master mason therefore I can genuinely appreciate their work. I had the opportunity to build walls similar to these. It takes a lot of time and a strong desire to achieve this look, plus the rocks are heavy.
8 months ago · Like
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lizziek Make sure the company installing the wall does it right. Water can accumulated behind these walls and push it forward. They should use washed stone and drainage pipes behind the wall and landscape fabric from the wall into the earth behind the wall. We have 50 ft of retaining wall and a part it fell over after a few years because it was not installed correctly.
8 months ago · Like
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Ginkgo Leaf Studio The photos shown are great examples of true craftsmanship. Dry-laid stone walls can also function as seat walls or simply to help define a space. Here this dry-laid wall functions as a retaining wall on the slope side of the hill but appears to be a low garden wall around the patio. 
8 months ago · Like
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Amanda Simons Very beautiful! I could not relax on that bench though. I'd be too concerned about spiders crawling out of the cracks... :)
8 months ago · Like
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haagmk Plety of drainage behind wall is key. My brothers and I built these for my father, cheap child labor, and ensured we had 3-4 feet of rock behind face of wall. Still there after 40 yrs and look great.
8 months ago · Like
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W. David Seidel, AIA - Architect Before building any kind of retaining wall, check with your local building department at what height the wall must be engineered. On the West Coast, we have expanding & contracting soils, landslides and earthquakes. Best to consult with a professional ... an engineered concrete retaining wall can always be dressed with loose stones.
8 months ago · Like
steve2426 The Andy Goldsworthy Stone Wall sculpture at Storm King Art Center in the Hudson Valley 50 miles from NYC is an awesome example of dry laid stone. This time of year the outdoor sculpture park is so BEAUTIFUL! I miss it so much!! 
8 months ago · Like
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Katherine Caviness Thank you Steve and Ginkgo Leaf Studio for sharing your images! And I appreciate the feedback from everyone.
8 months ago · Like
Oruc Kenan Yildirim just wow! and again wow! super ideas! thank you! But I guess it must be used in areas where there are few rains and few seismic risks?
8 months ago · Like
fredericklc Beautiful walls, but I will have to love them from afar. Unless a rich uncle dies I can't afford them, lol.
8 months ago · Like
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gillianne For those who appreciate the artistry of dry stone construction, let me recommend two books by Dan Snow, a dry stone worker in Vermont of national repute: In the Company of Stone and Listening to Stone. The photos and his musings about working with nature's materials are worth tracking down. Truly exceptional.
8 months ago · Like
C&MStoneWork Thanks for this its always great to see examples of dry stone. Anyone interested in the seismic properties of dry stone should take a look at the dry stone craftsmanship in the foundation work of japanese castles e.g. Nijo-jo (Nijo Castle), Kyoto, Japan. It is also worth mentioning that the Incan craftsman also overcame the problem of seismic activity using dry stone building techniques e.g. Machu Piccu
6 months ago · Like
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On The Surface This is an incredible mix of form, function, and warmth. Awesome!!
2 months ago · Like
Gardenia Nursery & Landscapes One similar looking but less expensive and easier to do alternative is to simply do a brick wall first and then just clad it with cut pieces of stone set in cement.
5 weeks ago · Like
Ideabook published on Sept. 9, 2012.
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