Stone Laying Techniques

Classic stonework has visible mortar joints between the rocks. This technique is achieved by parging mortar to the back of the rock and the wall it will be attached to, along with a thin layer between each rock. After setting and drying, the joints between the rocks are struck to an even amount of visible mortar. The joints are then brushed and washed with a sponge for the smoothest finish. Joints can be struck at different distances for different effect, but the main purpose of stonework is to see the stones themselves. For this reason, the joints should be kept thin and not distract from the rocks themselves. As with any good rockwork, the mortar joints are a great way to observe the quality of the stonework at hand.

Dry Stack The dry stack technique is both impressive in its visual appeal and composure. The central idea of the technique is setting rocks with no visible mortar joints. This is accomplished through meticulous picking and choosing of rocks that fit together perfectly. Mortar is still used behind the rocks, and the structure is just as secure as the classic look, but the overall visual effect is quite different. The dry stack look requires much more time and effort than the classic look because of the extra number of rocks that must be collected in order to find shapes that fit together tightly. The actual laying of the rocks also requires more time for precise fitting. The end result is quite stunning because it has the look of rocks that simply sit on top of one another without the support of mortar.

Mosaic The basic technique involves using rocks of different shape and color to build a mosaic picture or symbol into the structure being created. It could range anywhere from a mountain range, to different types of trees, to a meaningful symbol built into the structure of your project. Mosaic stonework could be built in a classic or dry stack look. Depending on the type of project, the physical structure could also be build to reflect the picture being set into the creation. Mosaic pictures can add meaning and uniqueness of even the most basic structure.

The dry stack look requires much more time and effort than the classic look because of the extra number of rocks that must be collected in order to find shapes that fit together tightly.