Natural Stone Retaining Wall : Fuller's Landscape Company

Natural Stone Retaining Wall

It is a common misconception that natural stone walls and boulder walls are the same thing. Retaining wall contractors will tell you that while they may be very similar, they are in fact different. The obvious difference between the 2 is that natural stone walls use smaller stone peices, and this actually makes a big difference. Because of the smaller pieces in the wall, you are able to use many different types of good quality stone in your wall.

Pros of Natural Stone

Natural stone walls look beautiful and can fit into any type of rustic or modern setting. Stone walls also allow you much more freedom than other types of retaining walls, as you are using blocks of all different shapes and sizes. Retaining wall specialists have said that natural stone walls are one of the most durable and long lasting walls out there, which is why they have been used for centuries.

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Cons of Natural Stone

Though natural stone walls are often considered one of the more pristine building materials, they are also one of the most expensive, according to most landscape retaining wall contractors. Natural stone walls are exactly what they sound like, they are made of real stone. So some of the pieces in a natural stone wall can be very heavy, making it one of the more labor intensive walls you can build.

Types of Stones

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Earth Granite
Earth Granite is a very durable and solid stone that is normally made into large, rectangular shapes. It is available in many different colors like white, pink, and gray.

Blue Granite
Blue Granite is another type of granite you can use for a retaining wall. It is mostly quarried in Africa, Norway, Ukraine, and Brazil, making this type of stone very rare and uncommon in North America.

Mountain Ash
This type of landscaping rock is great for drainage and easily cleaned in the fall. It is available in 3 different colors (light blue, charcoal, and mediterranean. These combinations make it perfect for fitting into any type of wall.

Basalt
This type of stone is perfect for landscape jobs that need to stand out. The dark charcoal color makes a great accent color for projects that require some contrast.

Installation

Step 1

The first step will be to excavate a trench where you want to place the retaining wall. Cut into the slope to create a 2 foot wide and 4 inches deep trench.

Step 2

Next you’ll want to level and compact the base of your trench. Make sure you use a level when doing this, and fix any high points that are making the trench uneven. Create a sturdy foundation by repeatedly poundfing the soil tamper against the base, until it will no longer compact.

Step 3

Now fill your trench with 3 inches of gravel to provide a firm base, and to promote drainage. Take your tamper and compact the layer of gravel and make sure it is level.

Step 4

When creating the first course of your wall you’ll want to lay down the largest stone. When laying down the rocks you’ll want to make sure you minimize the gaps in between each rock, and choose rocks of similar thickness, filling the front 1 and a half feet of the trench.

Step 5

Fill the gaps between the big stones with smaller rocks, gravel or soil used from digging the trench. You can use the tamper to compact it into the gaps. Tne add a half layer of soild on top of the first course of stone, and compact the layer.

Step 6

Add additional layers of stone, one at a time. Filling stones together to reduce the gaps between half an inch, and 1 inch wide. Remember to fill the gaps with smaller gravel and soild, and applying a thin layer at the top of each level as per the step above.

Step 7

Lastly, to prevent your wall from failing with excessive rainfall, you’ll want to install a drainage pipe. Install a perforated plastic drainage pipe behind your finished retaining wall. Next cover the pipe with more crushed stone and gravel, while leaving 6 inches between the gravel layer and the top of your wall. To finish, you’ll need to fill the remaining space at the top of your wall with soil.

If you are looking to install a natural stone retaining wall in your yard, and don’t mind doing the heavy labor yourself, then this is the wall for you. That being said, it is always to consult a professional, so look up stone wall builders near me and ask them for advice. We at Fuller’s Landscaping Company would be more than happy to help.