Retaining walls made of stone

Retaining walls made of stone can be a rather important addition to the arrangement of the local area. It is necessary to carefully understand how to make a wall with your own hands on the site. A separate important topic is step-by-step instructions for dry masonry, cladding.

A stone retaining wall is at the same time an architectural and engineering structure for the prevention of collapse and creeping of soil located on a slope of the terrain. These are places such as:

• the slope itself;

• convex relief forms;

• slopes;

• depressions and lowlands.

For the construction of retaining walls, various stone blocks are usually used.

It is the stone that best meets the requirements of reliability, practicality and external elegance. It is worth noting that retaining walls can sometimes successfully block the hydrostatic pressure of a fluid. If the structure was not originally designed for such an effect, drainage is arranged immediately behind it to soften the pressure.

The walls can stand either separately or in conjunction with adjoining structures. Structures up to 10 m are considered low, up to 20 m - medium, and the high group includes everything over 20 m. For work, the following can be used:

• reinforced concrete;

• ordinary concrete;

• rubble concrete blocks;

• bricks.

The most important parameter is the width of the structure. For this indicator, thin-walled and thick-walled versions are distinguished. The second option is designed to restrain the soil during its natural movement (movements). Construction costs are very high, a lot of reinforcement and masonry mixtures are consumed. The loss of time for earthworks will also be significant.

The technology must be followed very strictly. But its nuances can vary depending on:

• available budget;

• purpose of the project;

• the amount of time in which the work must be completed.

By the type of structural elements, the supporting walls are divided into prefabricated and monolithic types. Accordingly, they use piece material or link reinforced concrete blocks. Concrete structures can have both small and large depths - this is determined only by technical feasibility.

In the garden landscape, one of the most preferred solutions is traditionally a natural stone wall. It immediately creates a feeling of beauty and solidity - something that all other materials are capable of somewhat less. Natural material is excellently combined with any plants that are usually grown on sites. These are most often about:

• granite;

• limestone;

• basalt;

• sandstone.

Sandstone, that is, a combination of quartzite and carbonate, due to the presence of iron ore, is not very strong. However, its beauty is undeniable, and for many this becomes a decisive factor.

First of all, the walls are made of rubble stone.They are quite massive and need a special, carefully crafted binding to the hill. It is recommended to use geotextiles to cover the strips exactly at the seams. The larger the samples of rubble stone, the better they are suitable for the initial tiers. At higher levels, lighter elements can be used.

Sometimes artificial stone is also used for work. It can be done on:

• cement-sand;

• plaster;

• quartz base.

Solutions from wild chipped material are very popular. It differs in surface shape and attachment methods. But it should be understood that the split blocks vary greatly in size and geometry, even in a particular batch. Therefore, it is very difficult to use them for the installation of walls, and only trained professionals can perform such work. In some cases, river stone of various types is also used.

This is about:

• sandstone;

• pebbles;

• limestone.

The general step-by-step instruction naturally begins with the calculation of the structure being created. The key parameter is determining the degree of load that the soil will create on the surface. But also the horizontal pressure will have to be taken into account. Since there are many subtleties here, even if the construction is carried out by hand, you still need to contact the specialists. Based on the results of the calculations, it will become clear how many supporting elements need to be laid out in order for everything to work flawlessly.

It is advisable to lay out the front part of the wall from large blocks with even edges. At the same time, you do not need to discard very small fragments - they will become an excellent filler of the internal space. It is necessary to decide in advance on the preferred technology of work. Professionals note that in fact, both dry and masonry performed with mortar are quite practical and convenient - you just need to do everything carefully.

First of all, you have to make a foundation. To obtain it, it is recommended to pour concrete. Only when creating a low structure can you get by with the preliminary layout of large stones as a support.

Then this tab must be carefully tamped (compacted). After pouring the concrete mixture, you need to make sure that it does not reach the ground level by at least 15 cm. The stones are laid only on a completely set base. A grout mixture is used to fill the cavities. But simple technical readiness is usually not enough - decorative finishing of the retaining wall is also required. Not only concrete, but also red brick, its silicate counterpart are not attractive enough. It is worth considering that they are categorically not suitable (due to non-compliance with safety and reliability requirements):

• plaster;

• front brick;

• a natural stone.

But you can always revet the surface with flexible facade tiles. It is not only beautiful in appearance, but also allows you to provide reliable waterproofing of structures. Facade tiles are lightweight and do not create significant additional stress. It fits without any problems, no special experience is required. As a budget analogue, many recommend painting the wall with acrylic paint - however, it lasts no more than 3-5 years, but usually this is enough.

But just to decorate the surface in one way or another is still not enough. It is necessary for the retaining wall to take its rightful place in the landscape design on the site. If possible, you should move away from a straight, uniform line - it is this line that creates a feeling of phenomenal boredom and despondency. It is enough to visually break the monolith using:

• flower beds;

• stairs;

• niches;

• exits forward;

• arches;

• benches.

Such elements immediately complicate the panoramic composition. As a result, it will be perceived much better.Fans of experimenting will be delighted with the many combinations of a retaining wall with ampelous or climbing plants. The structure itself can be executed in the format of an alpine slide.

Among the colors, it is worth choosing those that have a white or pale pink color. Lilac and blue inclusions can also be used, but already as an addition to the main tone. Refreshing the look of the terrace is possible by combining white and yellow or purple colors. In darkened areas, garden geraniums and undersized fern species look most attractive. Of the exclusive varieties of plants, the following are best suited:

• ramond;

• haberley;

• soldanella.

In open areas, you can plant:

• splinter;

• alissums;

• obriety;

• arabis;

• multi-colored carnations.

Tips for creating a retaining wall in the next video.