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How Dry-Stacked Stone Walls Are Used in Landscapes

For many years, homeowners have used dry-stack construction to build durable walls that cover the landscape section. Dry-stacked stone walls are able to withstand harsh weather and years of use. The walls are popular due to their versatility. It’s easy for homeowners to design a wall that perfectly blends with the rest of the home using dry-stack construction.

Here’s some basic information about dry stack construction you need to know:

What is a Dry-Stacked Wall?

The dry-stack technique is used to construct walls without using any mortar. The stones are interlocked and stacked together and can bend or flex when the weather changes. This type of wall doesn’t require any specific type of foundation that needs to be set down below.

Advantages of Dry-Stacked Walls

They are versatile: You can use this type of technique in different ways in the landscape. Some people use it to design low accent walls or larger walls that can be used for fencing.

With dry-stacked walls, there’s often no need to invest in additional drainage because water can pass through the wall’s joints. Water can never get stuck in between the joints because there’s no mortar.

Because stones are freely stacked, there’s enough room for expansion and contraction. This means that the wall will not be prone to shifting and cracking at different weather cycles.

The cost of dry-stacked wall is usually lower than the usual mortared walls. The walls are constructed without the use of mortar which means extra savings upon using less material.

Main Disadvantages of Dry-Stacked Walls

The dry-stack technique usually creates a very rustic appeal that some homeowners may not like. For those who prefer the perfectly vertical wall, this may not be a suitable option for their landscape.

The process of installing dry-stack walls can take much longer than the normal mortared walls. This is because you’ll need to carefully select each stone and then stack it.

If the wall is 4 feet or higher, dry-stack construction may not be the best option since such walls require better structural support.
Dry-stacked walls can be used in a variety of ways to blend with different architectural styles. If you are looking for a wall design that blends with the surrounding landscape consider the shape, colors and sizes of stones used. You can design a low accent or retaining wall for the landscape to add a bit of drama in your home’s exterior.

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