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I was thinking about making a short retaining wall for a flower bed in front of my house. We like the way Tumbled Bluestone looks and I was looking for any pointers anyone may have with laying such a material. It wouldn't be very high - I'm guessing a foot and half at the highest.

Also, any experience in cutting the stone? I'm assuming at some point I'll have to do some cuts on it to get it all to lay right.

My thoughts are to do three tiers, the bottom one driveway level up a foot and half or so, the next one about a foot and half above that one and then the top one which is the same height of the walkway to the house. Not looking to do a patio with it (yet).

Chasester
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3 Answers3

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You don't need a concrete foundation for a small wall. You can make a dry stone wall. There are ones like this that last hundreds of years with the odd bit of maintenance. Even in areas where it the temperature ranges from -40 to +30 deg C a wall can be stable with some preparation:

  • a two or three inch base of compacted stone dust
  • some longer stones to act as "deadmen" to stabilize the wall (optional for short walls)
  • four inch drain pipe with sleeve at the inside base of the wall to allow drainage
  • a taper on the wall so it leans into the soil
  • geotextile fabric to keep soil from washing out

See an example for more details here.

Community
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kevinskio
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When you say 'retaining' wall, that means there will be soil or something behind the wall, being supported/held up by this wall you want to build. If that's correct, then I'm afraid its not as simple as you've laid out in your question. A retaining wall has to take a fair amount of weight and needs to be very solid and stable, so will need foundations, below soil level, usually of concrete. Some guidance in the link below

http://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/retainingwall.htm

As for 'tumbled bluestone' the only type I know about is that sold in various sizes as pre cut paving, but the most important thing to do is to research how to build a firm, strong retaining wall, whatever materials you choose to use for the visible parts. With regard to cutting stone to the right size and shape, if you're not skilled with a cold chisel and hammer, then probably an electric cutter will need to be hired - but dust and noise is an issue with those. More information on that in the link below (but its to a UK site, not sure where you are)

http://www.pavingexpert.com/cutting.htm

Bamboo
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Another option is simply to build a wall out of foundation block and concrete, and then veneer the face and cap off the top of the wall. You can point up the veneer cleanly so you can hide all the mortar joints and it appears to be a dry laid wall, but this takes practice. It is a stable option though and will hold the weight and pressure of the bed.

Phlume
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