There is a great deal of confusion regarding the terms for various types of stonework. The terms drystone and dry stack are often used interchangeably. In reality, drystone refers to dry laid stone walls - in other words, walls built without mortar. On the other hand, dry stack refers to a very specific type of mortared stonework. It is a style whereby stones are tightly fitted so that mortar does not show.

Stone builders have been building drystone walls for millenniums. Drystone is essentially stone wall construction that depends on technique and gravity rather than mortar. Every stonemason should begin by building drystone walls, it provides a knowledge of the fundamentals critical to more advanced methods of stone construction.

The following photo illustrates a construction technique that results in a sound drystone foundation. First, a trench is dug for the first course of stone. Next, the trench is filled with several inches of gravel. Then stones are set in the gravel while lining up the front face of each stone. Finally, gravel is tightly packed under and around each stone.
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Once the first course is laid, additional courses are added. Each course is back filled with dirt and gravel (heavy rock is added if the wall will bear a significant load). Our style is referred to as coursed or leveled random rubble. We search for rectangular shaped ledge stones and attempt to lay most stones in a level pattern. This style provides a significantly different look than the mosaic design (stones placed in a random and irregular manner) employed by many builders. The following photo shows the wall in progress.
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The following photo shows the completed wall along with a sidewalk, staircase and patio. Note that large, flat, capstones are used on the top course. Capstones employ gravity to keep the wall in place. The heavier the better.
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A photo from another angle. Note the level courses of stone.
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For more information, email us at: info@roksolid.com.
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