3 Benefits Of A Dry Stone Retaining Wall

Lennox Masonry, Masonry Contractor, Stone Mason, Victoria BC, Vancouver Island - Dry Stack Retaining Wall

Dry stack, also referred to as dry stone retaining/free standing walls are an entirely different beast when it comes to the realm of the stone mason and the tradition of it, known as walling, dates back to the Neolithic Age. However, it seems to be a bit of a dying art form, as most Builders and Homeowners alike, opt for Allan Block retaining walls, as the presumption is that they are cheaper and quicker to install. This is not entirely true and we will get to that shortly.

I don't know of many stone masons who practice this building technique, let alone have any experience with it. It is a true combination of science and art, and a bit of a rarity in today's building styles. I only had the pleasure of building a handful of dry stack walls with the first Masonry company I was employed under, but I loved it so much that I just began building my own walls in my spare time, with whatever rubble was lying around. Once I started my own company, I took on as many jobs pertaining to dry stone as possible. And the beauty of this type of stone work is, you can do it all-year-round, as there is no mortar required, hence, it is not weather dependant. When these walls are built properly and meet the required guidelines, they will remain intact and standing for well over 100 years. I believe this is what I found to be so appealing about dry stone walls, not to mention their natural beauty and the rich history which comes along with them.

The Benefits of Dry Stack Retaining Walls and Free Standing Walls:

1) Cost and Efficiency: Not only are they sustainable, but with a skilled stone waller and some locally quarried stone, these dry stack walls are less costly when it comes to materials and labour, as they do not require a concrete footing, rebar, mortar, proper drainage, or any type of machinery to see the process through. Depending on the wall's height, you may not even have to dig down to the subsoil and can begin building precisely where you stand.

2) Eco-Friendly: Dry stone walls are one of the greenest options available, due to the absence of mortar and concrete. These walls blend seamlessly with their natural environment, allowing water to drain without impedance, while inviting vegetation, bugs and all variety of small creatures to use them as a sanctuary.

3) Durability: What makes these walls so durable is their ability to move with the freeze/thaw cycles. They require no waterproofing, endure no hydrostatic pressure (water pressure which causes mortar/concrete to fail), and remain flexible with mother nature's elements and inevitable stressors.