When considering using natural stone for a wall the first step is to determine what type of wall is going to be built. In landscape construction there are generally three types of walls that are built.

Retaining walls - A retaining wall has the purpose of holding back the earth from one side, while there is one face that is seen.

Free standing walls - Free standing walls unlike retaining walls do not hold back anything and both sides of the wall are "exposed". Freestanding walls are often used to define spaces or guide people through the landscape.

Veneered walls - Veneered walls can be either freestanding or retaining walls, but all veneered walls have a structural core that carries or supports the weight of the stone that is applied to its face. Building stone or stone veneer can be broken down into two main categories, full bed building veneer or thin sawn veneer. A full bed veneer is generally 4-8" in depth and is supported by a shelf that is part of the foundation or concrete form of a landscape wall. Thin stone veneer has been sawn to generally a 3/4-1" thickness which does not require a shelf and the material with the proper mortar can be adhered right to the wall.

Stone Styles