They are becoming more and more trendy because natural stone walls have a wild character and loosen up the overall picture. The design possibilities are almost endless. However, there are a few aspects that need to be taken into account during construction so that the construct is stable and weatherproof.

Natural stone walls are a beautiful design element for the garden

Table of Contents

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  1. the essentials in brief
  2. preliminary considerations
  3. materials and prices
  4. Build a natural stone wall yourself
  5. Additional components
  6. Plant natural stone wall
  7. frequently asked Questions

    8. the essentials in brief

    • When planning a natural stone wall, preliminary considerations regarding the purpose and construction of the wall are necessary. The cost and materials required depend on whether free-standing or retaining walls are to be built, with or without binder.
    • Soft stones are slightly cheaper than hard stones. By choosing concrete blocks, costs can be reduced. Additional expenses arise for the foundation and jointing.
    • A foundation is necessary for all walls. These can be bricked and grouted with mortar or laid dry. A wall covering is necessary in some cases.
    • In addition to additional components such as windows or lighting, natural stone walls can be embellished with plants.

    What you need to consider before construction

    Natural stone walls are often used to stabilize slopes

    Natural stone walls set accents and provide a habitat for animals and plants. At the same time, they take on a variety of tasks. In principle, it is not difficult to erect a wall from natural materials. Nevertheless, some considerations are necessary in advance.

    An overview of the possibilities:

    • garden: Wall for heat-loving and drought-resistant plants
    • hillside: a meter high hillside reinforcement made of shell limestone
    • raised bed: Bed edging made of granite or sandstone
    • edge of property: enclosing natural stone wall, free-standing as a privacy screen
    • terrace: Natural stone wall on the slope to compensate for different earth levels
    • Inside: Sandstone exposed brickwork in the living room

    With or without foundation?

    Walls are generally more stable with a foundation, so that they do not sag into the ground and thus prevent the wall from breaking apart. You should therefore not build a wall without a foundation. But with dry stone walls you can do without a foundation in frost-free soil layers. So that the individual stones do not settle too much, a sufficiently stable subsoil made of crushed stone and gravel is sufficient. Minor settlements are harmless with this natural construction method.

    digression

    Types of dry stone walls

    These buildings are the oldest form of stone construction, because multifunctional objects are created by piling up loose stones. They were built free-standing as pasture boundaries or to support the formation of agricultural terraces on steep hillsides. The third form of dry stone wall is the lining wall, which is reminiscent of a retaining wall. It takes over functions of cladding or protection against erosion.
    • Frisian wall: Stacking of round boulders that are compacted with turf soil
    • cyclopean wall: irregular joint pattern, without horizontal joints, typical of the Mediterranean area
    • Tanca Wall: Stacking of loose boulders, typical of the Balearic Islands
    • Premuiceva staza: Hiking trail in the irregular dry stone principle

    Freestanding or supportive?

    Supporting garden walls secure embankments that are endangered by landslides. They compensate for different height levels and are relatively wide and bulky because they have to withstand a lot of pressure. The construction of these variants is much more complex compared to a free-standing natural stone wall. While only stones are stacked on top of each other in the case of free structures, the so-called embankment walls have to be backfilled with frost-proof gravel. They require sealing on the inside so that no seepage water from the ground penetrates.

    Drywall or Mortar Wall?

    A dry stone wall is the more natural variant, because here reading stones are usually loosely stacked on top of each other. In order for this construct to be stable even without a binder, three aspects regarding the material must be given:

    • use only heavy stones
    • these require a rough and uneven surface
    • stones with an irregular shape that wedge into one another are ideal

    In mortar masonry, the bricks are connected with mortar, resulting in a stable structure. Natural stones cut to size are better suited for this purpose, the dimensions of which match one another. Irregularities caused by the brickwork can be evened out by grouting.

    drywall mortar wall
    suitable materials sandstone, limestone, granite almost all natural stones that have been cut
    expenditure of time high, because stones have to be stacked precisely relatively fast
    purpose Habitat for thermophilic species, for planting Slope reinforcement, seat or stairs
    unsuitable as seat or steps plant object
    wall head meaningless, rainwater seeps into joints should be shaped accordingly to ensure water drainage

    materials and prices

    The selection of natural stones is large - the price range too

    The costs incurred can only be roughly estimated, as they vary greatly from person to person. In principle, it is cheaper if you get natural stones directly from the quarry. Deliveries are expensive because additional costs for transport have to be paid. The following table gives you an overview of the material costs for common stones.

    kind Prices per ton coloring and texture
    granite hard stone approx. 80 to 150 euros equal or uneven grain crystals
    basalt hard stone around 200 to 700 euros anthracite to black, rarely with inclusions
    shell limestone soft stone about 100 to 200 euros brownish to greyish deposits
    sandstone soft stone around 50 to 100 euros warm orange and brown tones, Mediterranean
    limestone soft stone around 120 euros fossil inclusions, porous surface

    Additional costs

    In addition to the material costs for the natural stone wall, you have to factor in additional costs. These relate to tools and building materials for the foundation. Here you should expect costs between 100 and 150 euros per square meter, although this price can be higher depending on the preferred material or the cost of skilled workers, work equipment and tools.

    grouting - with what?

    A natural stone wall can, but does not have to be grouted

    Mortar is necessary for a concrete natural stone wall. Soft stones such as sandstone or limestone require grouts that are softer than the stone. A permeable structure is important so that water can seep through and the sandstone does not weather. A grain size of around two millimeters is ideal. With this mortar you have to reckon with costs of around three euros per kilogram. Hard rock can be grouted with a cement-based mortar mix. The price here is around 60 cents per kilogram.

    digression

    Grout with trass cement

    Trass is natural sedimentary rock or igneous rock that is finely ground and used as a binding agent. Such mortar mixes have waterproofing properties and are used where the material is exposed to high levels of moisture, such as retaining embankment walls. Efflorescence, which occurs with conventional cement, is avoided. Trass cement is characterized by flexibility, which is retained even after drying. So there is no risk of cracking in the joints. In addition, the natural stones do not discolour.

    Comparison: natural stone or concrete block?

    In the meantime, in addition to natural stone, there are also variants made of concrete, which are based on the natural bricks. Concrete block is a cheap option compared to natural stone. You can expect costs from around 40 euros per square meter upwards.

    This speaks for concrete block:

    • optics: sanded smooth, wood or natural stone grain
    • properties: robust, durable, resilient and frost-proof
    • particularities: available with or without sealing

    Build a natural stone wall

    If you want to erect a dry wall, you do not need any materials to glue or bond like cement and concrete. Here the stones are simply piled up loosely. The situation is different with a concrete wall with natural stones. If you want to build this variant yourself, you have to reckon with a higher amount of work.

    build foundation

    A good foundation ensures a long life for the natural stone wall

    Every garden wall needs a foundation, because this gives the construct stability. If you are planning a wall up to half a meter high or a dry wall, a layer of gravel 40 centimeters deep is sufficient. Mortared walls or construction projects that are to be higher get optimal stability with a concrete foundation that is at least 80 centimeters deep. This depth is necessary so that the massive foundation is not cracked by frost in winter.

    How to build a concrete foundation:

    1. Define the course of the wall with wooden pegs and guide lines
    2. dig a trench 20 centimeters wide along the guide
    3. Fill the trench 60 percent with frost-resistant crushed stone
    4. Compress material again and again
    5. concrete the remaining 40 percent
    6. Lay the first layer of stone while the mortar is still wet

    Special feature: Concreting a natural stone wall with an incline

    Many dry stone walls are filled with earth on the inside. With this variant, it makes sense that the concrete foundation is slightly inclined inwards. This way the water can drain off better. If you only use natural materials such as gravel and crushed stone, you do not have to pay attention to the slope.

    Building a free-standing natural stone wall - instructions

    Bricklaying with naturally formed stones requires some skill, because the uneven surface will quickly cause you to lose your way. To avoid skewing, you should erect formwork from boards. This allows two layers of natural stone to be stacked on top of each other. Then you need to wait several days for the grout to dry. The formwork is realigned with each work step. If your wall is to be wider, you can fill up the interior space with a mixture of coarse gravel and lean concrete. Finally, process the most beautiful stones as a wall crown.

    Grout natural stone wall

    Brick objects are grouted to create an aesthetic finish. This is the case, for example, with bed edgings and slope reinforcements. You can also stabilize non-masonry constructions by pushing grout into the spaces between the bricks.

    • Moisten the wall well so that the grout does not set too quickly
    • Use a trowel to spread the grout over the joints from bottom to top
    • Joint compound must be pressed evenly deep into the joints
    • Work excess compound into the joints with a sponge
    • after grout has set, rub down grout to an even height
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    Dry laying of a plantable natural stone wall - set stones

    With this variant, too, a formwork is helpful so that you can align the stones correctly. Place the stones so that they fit perfectly and wedge together. If you want to plant the wall later, fill in the joints with loamy sand or nutrient-poor soil. The interior is filled with crushed stone or gravel and compacted. Finally, design the top of the wall with a layer of 20 centimeters of topsoil. Here you can put overhanging and creeping plants later.

    tips

    You can also do without sand as a joint material if, for example, you design a dry wall without gravel filling. All you have to do is place the stones on top of each other. Note that the wall tapers slightly towards the top.

    Covering the natural stone wall

    A natural stone wall looks most beautiful when it is naturally covered

    According to DIN standard 1053, concrete walls that do not have an irregular wall crown must be protected from rainwater with a wall cover. If you do without this construction measure, rainwater can penetrate and soak the wall. After a few years, the stability of the Wall would be endangered. This design is not mandatory if your wall has a slope.

    Forms of covers:

    • Easy installation with covers made of sheet metal
    • natural stone covers are also available
    • Monk and nun bricks create a Mediterranean character

    Additional components

    Natural stone walls can stand alone or be embellished with various building elements. High privacy walls get a Mediterranean character with an integrated window. A waterfall made of natural stones looks particularly natural. Fences and lighting elements are also possible. The imagination knows no limits.

    Attach fence to natural stone wall

    If you want to erect a fence on the wall later, you need post supports. These must be firmly connected to the wall so that the fence is stable. You can either fasten the post supports with a dowel or glue them in place. To do this, you need to drill holes in the natural stone with a masonry drill. For the adhesive variant, you need synthetic resin cement or special adhesive that hardens massively and offers a long-term hold.

    integrate lighting

    Lighting elements set into the masonry work particularly well. For this you can use ground spotlights that are cast with epoxy resin. The material is waterproof and protects the technology. If possible, you can also place artificial stones between the natural stones. These can be cut out or opened before the wall is built, so that you can use LEDs as you wish.

    tips

    You should grout artificial stones with silicone so that you can remove the lighting if necessary.

    How to plant a natural stone wall

    Plants enhance masonry that provides substrate for growth and has not been grouted or plastered. If the stones remain largely visible and are not completely overgrown, you create an aesthetic contrast. This habitat places extreme conditions on plant growth, so that not every species is suitable for planting. Despite the extreme conditions, the selection of plants that grow on dry stone walls is huge.

    Important to note:

    • do not plant too densely
    • choose drought-resistant plants
    • Creepers can cope with the limited supply of soil

    leave space in the joints

    The joints can also be nicely planted

    You can place plants in the gaps during construction or integrate them after the dry stone wall is finished. In the latter case, you must ensure that the joints are sufficiently wide during construction. Most plants will thrive when the gap is about two fingers wide. There are species that also get along well with less space. If the joint is deep enough, two to three plants have enough space to grow in a few centimetres.

    Instructions for planting:

    • Divide large root balls, shorten roots if necessary
    • Place species as deep as possible in the joints so that they can anchor themselves
    • Fill gaps with substrate
    • water well but be careful

    wall planting

    The south side of the wall heats up during the day from the sun's rays and stores this heat until it is released again at night. The stones act like a natural heater and offer Mediterranean herbs such as lavender, rosemary and thyme an optimal habitat.

    Plants for the sun:

    • upright perennials: bluebells, St. John's wort and thrift
    • carpet-forming species: blue cushion and carpet phlox
    • overhanging plants: gypsophila, cymbalom and stonecrop

    Moisture-loving species do well in shadier areas. There is enough space for mosses and ferns such as polypody. Moss saxifrage, waldsteinia, toadflax and goose cress or the early-flowering larkspur provide color accents. These plants thrive in partial shade.

    Plants for the wall crown

    Evergreen plants and cushion perennials are ideal for the plateau on the masonry. Mix in upright perennials like the cushion bellflower and woolly ziest with creeping or hanging species. Andean cushions, Delosperma species or silver sheaves are ideal. These store moisture under their dense cushions and in this way compensate for strong fluctuations that are favored by changing temperatures.

    Numerous plants are specialists that are adapted to the extreme location of dry stone walls.

    frequently asked Questions

    How can I clean a natural stone wall?

    Cleaning depends on the degree of soiling and the material used. Sandstone and limestone are sensitive and should be cleaned gently with a soft sponge and water.Heavy soiling can be soaked with a mixture of water and curd soap. If moss, algae and lichen have already spread, you can scrape them off with a hardwood stick or carefully with a spatula. For hard rocks, you can use a harder brush. Joints should be cleaned annually with a high-pressure cleaner (€119.90) to prevent moss from settling.

    What do I have to consider when refurbishing?

    Thorough cleaning precedes any renovation. Here, it is tested one after the other which process is a suitable method for the existing material. No material is removed during dry cleaning, which is important with soft stones. Harder soiling usually has to be removed with wet or blasting methods.

    To prevent renewed soiling, a coating with fine wax crystals is recommended. If you want to restore joints, you need to scrape the old material out of the gaps as best you can. Special restoration mortar is suitable for leveling out larger defects.

    Does it make sense to plaster the natural stone wall?

    Plaster can make aged natural stones disappear. Time leaves its mark, especially on the outside walls, so that moss grows or the stones slowly weather. Cladding your garden wall is easier than plastering. There are various weatherproof options made of natural stone or plastic.

    Which joint course is the right one?

    You should avoid cross joints, as they do not withstand the pressure of layered stones or the earth behind them. Staggered gaps, which at the same time loosen up the overall picture, are better. These can be regular or irregular. In the uniform design, all stones in a level have the same height. More variety is created by using stones with different shapes and dimensions.

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Garden design