In this guide, you’ll learn how to build a small wall in your garden from start to finish. From the materials and tools you’ll need, to finding an experienced contractor that can help you if you get stuck, this guide will show you how I’ve built several beautiful walls and helped other homeowners do it themselves.
What type of wall are you building?
What type of wall are you building?
You can build a wall in your garden using bricks, stones or blocks. You can also use mortar mix, concrete or cement to build walls. The most common way is to use cement blocks in different sizes and shapes that have been cast together to form a single unit. Another way of building a wall is by using bricks and making sure it has an even thickness throughout the length of it.
Choose your tools.
When building a small wall, the tools you need are:
- -Hammer
- -Nails
- -Saw (to cut wood and stone)
The above tools are essential for building any type of wall. There are also some optional items that may be needed depending on your situation. These include:
- Chisel (for cutting stones)
- Nail gun (to make things quicker)
In addition to these tools, it’s important to take proper safety precautions when working with them by wearing gloves and eye protection at all times.
How much mortar do I need?
You will need to buy a bag of mortar, which you can find at a hardware store. Once you have your mortar, it’s time to start building your wall
Step by step guide to a successful wall
Standard brickwork is usually done at a height of 1.2m (4ft) with a length of 15 bricks per metre. The wall should be built to accommodate your individual requirements and can be altered depending on the space available. If you have more than one wall, they will need to be connected at regular intervals with buttresses so that they support each other and don’t lean forwards or backwards when subjected to wind pressure.
To build a straight line of bricks, use a tape measure and mark out every metre along the ground with string or chalk lines so you know exactly where each brick needs to go before starting work on site.
The type of brick used depends on what comes next in your garden design: if you want something contemporary then opt for modern-style bricks; if it’s more traditional then use old-fashioned yellow London stock or red clinkers which are made from clay dug up during railway construction work in the 1860s; if money isn’t an issue then consider using Portland cement concrete blocks instead.
Mix mortar correctly.
Mix a stiff mortar. Mortar is the material that holds bricks together, so you want your mix to be as thick and strong as possible. You’ll need a little sand, cement and water for this step, but don’t add too much water or else the mortar will be too wet and won’t set properly. The consistency should be similar to peanut butter: not too runny or dry—just right.
Spread the mortar on the brick.
Spread the mortar on the brick according to your chosen pattern. If you’re following a specific design, use a trowel to spread the mortar, making sure it is level and even. If you’re just building small wall in garden then you can use fingers or palm to smooth out the surface of brick layer.
Hold the brick in place while placing it.
When placing the brick, hold it in place with a brick trowel. Apply mortar to the bottom of the brick and tap it into place with a brick hammer. You can also use a smaller battering ram if you don’t have access to a traditional hammer or mallet.
Do not step on your fresh mortar.
In order to avoid stepping on your fresh mortar, you should use a trowel to spread it. The trowel is the best tool for this job because it allows you to spread the mortar evenly across the bricks in your wall.
You can also use a brick as an additional weight on top of the brick that you are laying if necessary. This will help ensure that there is enough pressure on both sides of each brick so that they are held firmly in place until they dry completely.
If possible, try not to step on either mortar or bricks while building your garden wall; however, if this becomes necessary due to lack of space or other circumstances beyond your control then be sure not only wear shoes with thick soles but also take care not step directly onto any part of either material (i.e., don’t stand directly above where someone else has just laid down some fresh mortar).
Build straight walls with a level.
From a woodworking perspective, the first step to building a wall is to lay out the bricks in a row. You can do this with your hands and feet, but we recommend using a level. If the bricks aren’t straight, your wall will look crooked. If you want your walls to be perfectly straight and level then you’ll need an extremely precise method of measuring. This is where levels come into play
In addition to checking that all of your bricks are straight and level (with one another), it’s also important that they’re perpendicular—or at right angles—to grass or dirt paths.
You can build a beautiful garden wall yourself with these tips
- Bricks are the most popular choice for building a garden wall, but you can also use stone or concrete blocks.
- Mix mortar with sand and cement to make mortar. You’ll need about one part sand, one part cement, and three parts water for this mix.
- Use a level to make sure your bricks are straight as you lay them down in rows.
- Spread the mortar onto each brick before placing it into position in your wall (this is called “troweling”). This prevents gaps from developing between the bricks that could allow water to seep through the structure of your wall over time and cause it to fall apart.
Conclusion
These tips should help you build a sturdy and durable wall for your garden. It’s important to keep in mind that there are many different types of walls which can be built, depending on what your needs are. If you have any questions about building a stone or brick wall in your yard, feel free to contact us. We’re always happy to answer any questions you might have.
