Have you been thinking of building a do-it-yourself stone wall without mortar?
We got you!
If there are two things you need to know about mortarless stone walls, they are their simplicity and versatility—you can easily customize them to fit any aesthetic design that complements your overall architectural style!
Moreover, mortarless stone walls are durable and strong. When you eliminate the need for mortar, you also avoid the hassle of mixing and applying it between the stones, making it easier and more time-efficient for you.
All you have to do is gather some tools and materials and follow these six steps to build a professional-looking mortarless stone wall, which we will discuss below.
What is a Mortarless Stone Wall?
A mortarless, or otherwise known as dry stone wall, is a type of wall construction in which stones are stacked together without the use of mortar or any adhesive material to hold them in place.
These walls rely heavily on precise placement and interlocking of the stones to create stability and strength. Typically, mortarless stone wall construction utilize specially designed stones with grooves, notches, or inherent interlocking mechanisms to help them fit together snugly.
The result will level up the rustic and natural beauty of the stone wall. This method is often used in landscaping and other architectural projects.
What Tools and Materials do I need to build a Mortarless Stone Wall?
To build a solid mortarless stone wall, you will need stones or stone veneers, a base material such as gravel, a leveling and compacting tool, and reinforcements in the form of geogrid or landscape fabric.
Furthermore, to ensure its durability and longevity, choosing and using only premium materials is critical.
Other tools and materials you will be needing are the following:
- Round-nose shovel
- Mason’s line
- Stakes
- Tamper
- Circular saw
- Hammer
- Shovel
- Rake
- Mason’s hammer
- Stone chisel
- Level
- Cordless drill
- Batter gauge
How do you Build a Stone Wall without Mortar?
Step 1: Prepare the site
Before you begin building your stone wall, it is essential to prepare the site thoroughly. This will provide a solid base and prevent any further problems with the wall’s structural integrity once it is built.
You can start by clearing the area of vegetation, debris, or obstacles. Afterwards, you can begin leveling the ground using a shovel or rake to remove any high spots, fill depressions, and mark the outline.
Also, safety first; wear gloves and glasses to avoid untoward accidents.
Step 2: Sort the stones
Group the stones according to size.
For the base, use the biggest and flattest stones; for the subsequent layers, use smaller stones. You can also use smaller chunks to fill in the gaps in the stone layers.
To create the wall footing, dig a trench approximately 8 inches deep and 6 inches broad along the marked outline and then add a base material to ensure proper drainage and stability. You may also want to extend beyond the wall on all sides and ends.
Step 3: Pour the gravel and lay the base
Fill the trench with about four inches of gravel, and then level and tamp it down.
Place bondstones (these are long stones or bricks that extend through the thickness of a wall to bind it together) at the trench’s two ends.
First, lay the front face (wythes) of the first course using stones of varying lengths. Next, allocate space between bondstones four to six feet apart. Place the stone’s thinner edge in the middle of the trench.
Step 4: Fill the wall
First, lay the front face (wythes) After laying the back wythe, place tiny stones or debris in the area between the two wythes of the wall. Then, proceed with the course laying, choosing stones that are uniform in thickness but differ in length for each course.
Reverse the joints from the preceding course. You can also chop stones if necessary.
Step 5: Check the batter
As you work, use a better gauge to check the batter, or the taper from the bottom to the top. If needed, you may rearrange the stones, and change their width on different courses.
Place bondstones at 3-foot intervals on every third course.
Step 6: Lay the topmost course
Select the broadest, most level stones for the topmost course. If you want, you can mortar the capstones into position.
Place tiny flat stones underneath the top course stones to promote drainage by tilting the stones slightly toward the wall.
What are the Advantages of Mortarless Stone Walls?
The advantages of mortarless stone walls lie in their innovative construction method. Below are some of the known benefits of building a mortarless stone wall for your outdoor space:
Easy to construct
A mortarless stone retaining wall eliminates the need for meticulous mortar mixing and application. In this technique, you, as the builder, can focus on arranging stones efficiently, thereby cutting down on labor time and costs. Its simplicity makes dry stone walls a doable option for DIY enthusiasts and professionals alike.
Flexible
The modular nature of stone walls allows for easy disassembly and reconfiguration, so you can adapt to the latest landscaping designs or simply install them temporarily.
This adaptability proves its invaluable construction technique, where you can quickly move around the stones to alter their design and structure or even remove them should you wish to access and use the space behind the wall. Hence, a mortarless stone wall can adapt to your needs over time.
Naturally aesthetic
Its effortless and natural beauty makes a mortarless stone wall a total knockout. Aside from seamlessly blending into its natural surroundings, its bespoke arrangement creates a visually intriguing texture and enhances the ambiance of your outdoor space.
If you are seeking more than just structural integrity, a mortarless stone wall is a great DIY project you can do to enhance the natural aesthetics of your outdoor space.
Durable
When constructed with care and attention to detail, mortarless stone walls boast impressive resilience against environmental stresses.
The interlocking stones distribute weight evenly, reinforcing the wall’s stability against weathering, ground movement, and seismic activity.
Unlike mortared walls, which are prone to cracking and deterioration over time, dry stone walls maintain their integrity for years and require only minimal maintenance and repair.
Inherent drainage capability
One of the often overlooked benefits of mortarless stone walls is their inherent drainage capability. The gaps between stones facilitate the natural flow of water, preventing the accumulation of hydrostatic pressure behind the wall.
This efficient drainage system minimizes the risk of water damage, soil erosion, and saturation, which preserves the integrity of both the wall and the surrounding landscape.
If you live in an area prone to heavy rainfall or groundwater issues, mortarless walls provide a sustainable solution for effectively managing water runoff.
What are the Disadvantages of Mortarless Stone Walls?
Despite the many benefits of mortarless stone walls, they don’t come without their pitfalls. Below are some of the disadvantages you need to consider:
Skills required
Mortarless stone walls offer a simpler alternative to traditional masonry. However, they still require a certain level of skill and keen attention to detail to construct successfully.
When building your own version of a mortarless stone wall, you must keep in mind proper alignment and stability. That is why you must carefully plan and execute this, especially when dealing with irregularly shaped stones or challenging terrain.
Limited height
The structural integrity of mortarless walls is inherently tied to gravity and the interlocking mechanisms between stones, imposing practical constraints on their height.
If you build a taller structure, this may exceed the load-bearing capacity of the stones and eventually compromise stability.
While mortarless walls excel in low to medium-height applications, taller installations may require reinforcement or alternative solutions to ensure long-term stability and safety.
Cost
While mortarless walls often boast lower material costs than their mortared counterparts, the labor expenses associated with their construction can offset initial savings.
Achieving the precise alignment and stability required for mortarless walls demands skilled labor and may entail longer construction times, contributing to higher overall project costs.
Additionally, you may also need specialized tools or equipment for handling and manipulating heavy stone components, thereby further increasing expenses.
Final Thoughts
Building a mortarless stone wall is a great DIY project you can start at home. It is hassle-free, reasonably easy to construct, naturally aesthetic, durable, and has inherent drainage.
However, it also has its downsides, such as the skills required to build it, the costs involved, and the structural height limit.
For a more polished stone wall, you can always hire Oahu construction companies, such as Solid Masonry Contactors, to do the work for you.
Masonry work is a passion-turned-business, and we take pride in the excellent quality of work we have produced for more than ten years.
With Solid Masonry Contractors, you can be assured that you are partnering only with the best.
Get a quote from us today!
Resources:
https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/outdoor/retaining-walls/how-to-build-dry-set-stone-wall/
https://storables.com/articles/how-to-build-a-mortarless-stone-wall-in-5-simple-steps/
https://makezine.com/projects/build-mortarless-stone-retaining-wall/
https://stonearchbridges.com/2022/07/01/mortared-vs-mortarless-masonry/
