Building the Wall
For both freestanding walls and retaining walls, it’s necessary to dig a trench about 6 to 12 inches below grade and 2 to 3 inches wider than the base of the wall. Next, a heavy layer of crushed stone is laid to level the foundation trench. Once the trench is level, large stones are placed at the base, followed by stones stacked like bricks in a one-over-two, two-over-one pattern, ensuring that each joint or break is crossed.
Tip: Be sure the foundation is cut into native soil, not bedding soil, to prevent any sinking or shifting and to help increase the longevity of the wall.
Shown: A dry-stacked Santa Barbara sandstone wall
Sally Stoik Landscape Architect
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The stones are selected and laid with the most attractive side, or face, pointing outward and are stacked with a slight batter, or pitch, back. A general rule for retaining walls, though accent walls also benefit, is that the wall should slant back about 1 inch for every 12 inches of height. Angling the two outer sides in slightly as the wall increases in height gives the wall more strength.
As the wall is being constructed, the center is packed with stones that aren’t useful for the face of the wa...
Building the Wall For both freestanding walls and retaining walls, it’s necessary to dig a trench about 6 to 12 inches below grade and 2 to 3 inches wider than the base of the wall. Next, a heavy layer of crushed stone is laid to level the foundation trench. Once the trench is level, large stones are placed at the base, followed by stones stacked like bricks in a one-over-two, two-over-one pattern, ensuring that each joint or break is crossed. Tip: Be sure the foundation is cut into native soil, not bedding soil, to prevent any sinking or shifting and to help increase the longevity of the wall. Shown: A dry-stacked Santa Barbara sandstone wall Sally Stoik Landscape Architect Save The stones are selected and laid with the most attractive side, or face, pointing outward and are stacked with a slight batter, or pitch, back. A general rule for retaining walls, though accent walls also benefit, is that the wall should slant back about 1 inch for every 12 inches of height. Angling the two outer sides in slightly as the wall increases in height gives the wall more strength. As the wall is being constructed, the center is packed with stones that aren’t useful for the face of the wa...
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