A dry stack basalt wall is one of the most popular building materials. It has a variety of uses, including landscaping, furniture, and home decoration. The dry stack basalt wall is also used to make retaining walls, garden walls, and so on.
This material can be used to make beautiful and unique features in your garden or backyard. It will give it a natural look that will improve the aesthetics of your property. The dry stack basalt wall can also help to add value to the property if you decide to sell it later on down the road.
The dry stack basalt wall is easy to install, which means that it does not cost much money for installation either. In addition to this fact, this type of material does not require any special tools or equipment when installing it either (such as cement).
Basalt is a type of volcanic rock that is extremely strong and durable. It has been used in construction for thousands of years, and in modern times, it is often used as a decorative feature in landscaping. Dry stack basalt walls are one of the most popular types of basalt walls. They are built by laying individual pieces of basalt stone on top of each other, without mortar or cement. This allows them to be easily removed if necessary but also makes them very sturdy.
Dry stack basalt walls can be built in various sizes and shapes, depending on your needs and desires. They can be built against a hillside or other natural barrier to help keep out unwanted guests (such as deer) from areas where they could cause harm or damage. They can also be built around gardens or other landscaped areas so that you can add some extra color without having to worry about upkeep.
In this article, you will learn about dry stack basalt walls. I will cover what is a dry stack basalt wall, how long will Dry Stack Basalt Wall last, the uses of a Dry Stack Basalt Wall, and other information.
What is A Dry Stack Basalt Wall
A dry stack basalt wall is a type of wall built without mortar. It is built by stacking stones on top of each other, in a pattern called a bond. The stones are held together by gravity alone and the final result can be quite beautiful.
You may have seen dry stack basalt walls before. They are commonly used as retaining walls and to define garden areas.
How long will Dry Stack Basalt Wall last
A dry stack basalt wall will last as long as the house. However, if it is built on a solid foundation and properly constructed, it will last longer than one that is not built on a solid foundation or was not well constructed.
Uses of Dry Stack Basalt Wall
Dry Stack Basalt Wall can be used in many ways. These include:
- Decorative wall
- Landscaping wall
- Garden wall
- Outdoor living space
- Pathway
- Fence and driveway
A dry-stacked basalt wall can be built without mortar.
Dry-stack basalt walls are ideal for anyone who wants to build a wall without mortar, but is unsure of how to go about it. In contrast with other methods of construction, dry stacking requires less labor and materials and can be completed in a short amount of time; however, it does require some basic skill sets that should be learned beforehand.
The first thing you need for your dry-stacked wall is stones (obviously). You will also need some kind of foundation on which to set those stones. For this project, we used concrete blocks as our foundation. We did not use mortar between the blocks because we wanted our stone wall to look like an authentic dry stack wall. However, if you want your block retaining walls built using mortar then feel free we won’t judge You’ll also need some sort of geotextile filter material or filter fabric which will prevent dirt from entering into small gaps between stacked stones while they’re being placed into place on top of one another during construction (ie: sand). Finally, it’s important that gravel backfill specifications are followed when building any kind of structure such as this so make sure those regulations are followed too.
Steps involved in building Dry Stack Basalt Wall
- Dig a footer trench.
- Fill the bottom of the trench with gravel, then set the length of the concrete reinforcing bar inside the trench at the base of a joint that runs parallel with the wall.
- As you build up from this foundation, it’s best if joints run perpendicular to this initial bar so they won’t bow or buckle when they’re filled in with mortar but that doesn’t mean every joint has to be perfectly square on. The idea is that every other one should be off by 90 degrees (i.e., “diagonal”), but it’s not necessary for every single one to be perfect just keep an eye out for any obvious misalignments as you go along and fix them accordingly before moving on.
The first step is to dig a footer trench deep enough to get below the frost line, which varies with your climate.
The first step is to dig a footer trench deep enough to get below the frost line, which varies with your climate. The footer trench should be a minimum of 6 inches wider than the thickness of the basalt wall and 6-12 inches deeper than it’s height. It will also need to be buried at least 1 foot below ground level.
You can use concrete blocks or bricks as insulation against cold soil temperatures (which can affect how quickly moisture will move through your walls) if you live in an area where it freezes during winter months, but this is not necessary if you live in an area where there isn’t much fluctuation between summer and winter temperatures.
The footer should be a minimum of 6 inches wider than the thickness of the basalt wall.
- The footer should be a minimum of 6 inches wider than the thickness of the basalt wall.
- If you’re building a dry stack wall on flat ground, your footer will need to be at least 6″ wider than the width of your wall.
Fill the bottom of the trench with 6 inches of gravel.
The gravel base is also critical to making sure that the walls don’t shift, move or crack. In some situations, it’s possible for moisture in the ground to get into the wall and cause it to shift out of place. Gravel helps prevent this from happening by providing a barrier between the soil and your basalt rock wall.
To give the boulders something to rest on, set a length of concrete reinforcing bar inside the trench at the base of a joint that runs parallel with the wall.
To give the boulders something to rest on, set a length of concrete reinforcing bar inside the trench at the base of a joint that runs parallel with the wall. The reinforcing bar should be set in a trench that is 6 inches wider than the thickness of the wall and filled with concrete to which you can add some additional sand.
As you build the wall up from this foundation, it’s best if joints run perpendicular to this initial bar.
As you build the wall up from this foundation, it’s best if the joints run perpendicular to this initial bar. This helps resist water infiltration and makes it easier to keep the wall straight and level. You can use a chalk line to mark off the joints and then use a masonry chisel or hammer-back chisel to knock out any mortar in between them.
You can set wooden stakes and string on either side of the footing so you can keep track of how wide or narrow you’re building your wall.
- You can set wooden stakes and string on either side of the footing so you can keep track of how wide or narrow you’re building your wall.
- If you need a level surface to work on, dig down until the top of your footing is below ground level and then fill in around it with dirt so that it’s even.
Once you have a row or two in place, use geotextile fabric as a filter between the soil and gravel backfill.
Geotextile fabric is a nonwoven, lightweight synthetic fabric that is often used in geotechnical engineering applications. It’s commonly used to reinforce the soil against erosion, infiltration of water, and other contaminants, and to support the stability of slopes during construction. In this case, you’ll be using it as a filter between your gravel backfill and the growing medium (soil) below.
If you don’t install geotextile fabric between your gravel backfill and growing medium (soil), then materials like sand or silt may filter into your drainage system and clog it up over time. The result? Your plants will suffer from poor drainage, which can lead to root rot or stunted growth.
Continue building until you’ve reached your desired height and finished with a capstone that fits across multiple stones in one course or two stacked courses near the top of your wall.
Once you have reached your desired height, continue building until you’ve finished with a capstone that fits across multiple stones in one course or two stacked courses near the top of your wall. This is often used to hide the joint between the top course and the capstone.
Benefits of Dry Stack Basalt Wall
Dry Stack Basalt Wall is a good option if you want to avoid mortar. Dry Stack Basalt Wall can be built without mortar, which means it’s easy to repair and the wall can be built by DIYers.
Materials needed for Dry Stack Basalt Wall
Materials needed for Dry Stack Basalt Wall
The following materials are required to complete a dry stack basalt wall project.
- 5 to 6 cu ft of basalt boulders per linear foot of wall (the average size of each boulder should be 3 inches in diameter and 4 inches high)
- 1 bag per linear foot of 6” or 8” crushed gravel (for drainage)
- Concrete reinforcing bar, or rebar, which is used as a metal backer rod in concrete masonry walls. Each 2-inch diameter bar length should be 10 feet long, unless otherwise specified on the manufacturer’s label. This can be purchased at most home improvement stores or online retailers such as Amazon.com
Tools needed for Dry Stack Basalt Wall
You’ll need the following tools:
- Shovels
- Trowels
- Hammer
- Concrete saw (for chopping up large pieces of basalt)
- Concrete chisel, for cutting the small pieces of basalt into smaller chunks. This will also serve multiple purposes later on in the process.
- Concrete trowels are essential to make sure you have a nice smooth finish on your wall when it’s finished. You can use this tool to smooth out all of your edges after they have been cut and before they’re put into place using mortar. A concrete trowel also helps with making sure that there aren’t any dips or bumps in your wall once it has been set in place, so be sure not to skip this step.
Cost of Dry Stack Basalt Wall
The cost of a dry stack basalt wall depends on the size and height of the wall. The cost of materials is based on how much you use and for what purpose. The labor costs a little more per square foot than traditional stone walls because it’s done by hand, but overall it’s just as affordable as any other natural stone product.
It may be confusing to know exactly what you’re paying for when you purchase dry stack basalt walls since there are so many factors involved. As long as you have an idea about how much your project will cost overall, all that matters is making sure that your choice fits within your budget.
Maintenance tips for Dry Stack Basalt Wall
- Check the wall regularly for cracks and loose stones.
- Repair cracks with mortar, and replace loose stones.
- Use a hose to wash off dirt or moss from the surface of the wall.
Takeaway: Build your next basalt wall without mortar.
Dry stack basalt walls are a great way to build your next basalt wall. They’re easy to construct and can be used for a variety of purposes, including retaining walls, home gardens, landscaping, and more. Dry stacking is a fun way to get involved with construction without the mess or hassle of mortar.
In Conclusion
Building a dry stack basalt wall is easy to do and can be done in any size or shape. Not only that, but it’s also an incredibly beautiful addition to your home. It’s perfect for those who want something unique, yet still practical enough to use as an outdoor structure that will last through the test of time.
