Stone fence: materials, benefits, manufacturing

A solid country house needs a decent fence, because this is the first line of defense, and a kind of "calling card". She can tell a lot about the taste and possibilities of the owner. If a wooden fence or a regular metal grid is suitable for country houses, then for a respectable mansion the most appropriate option is a stone fence. Stone in construction has been used for thousands of years, as it is a very durable, albeit expensive material.

Stone fence

The advantages of stone fencing

For the construction of the stone is used for several reasons:

• Huge strength and durability. This material is practically eternal, as it does not suffer from the sun, nor from the wind, nor from sharp fluctuations in temperature. Properly built granite fences can stand for more than a hundred years and will look as if they were laid down a month ago;
• The stone does not burn and is not afraid of exposure to chemicals. Its resistance to various adverse factors makes the fence the most reliable of all possible fences.
• Excellent decorative qualities. Stone fence looks very solid, emphasizing the taste and wealth of home owners, while the colors and ways of laying can be very different. There are dozens of ways to create decorative stone fences, so they do not seem boring;
• Stone - a natural, environmentally friendly material. It looks more beautiful than concrete or plastic, and it is perfectly combined with various elements of landscape design. There is a myth that strong radiation emanates from granite, but this is not so. Slightly elevated background does not harm human health, so the stone can be used for construction work without fear.

The disadvantages include the high price. This is the main reason that the construction of fences made of natural stone only - a phenomenon quite rare. It is usually used only for cladding or erecting support pillars, although fences completely made of masonry are also found.

What material to use for the fence?

The choice of material is carried out depending not only on the price, but also on the appearance. Stones of different breeds differ in color and texture, they are combined in different ways with other decorative elements and the overall style of the house.

Tip! There is not always a need to spend money on processed granite, sometimes, for example, a rubble fence will fit much more organically into the big picture.

Consider further the traditional and most commonly used options.

Cobble fence

The most common option is a boulder or cobblestone. It has a slightly rough surface and a rounded shape. To give the desired size of large boulders smash with a sledgehammer.

This material is most often used to create stone fences, but it requires a lot of work. The installation of the fence with a length of 100 meters may take a team of professionals about 40 days. It is recommended to immediately contact the specialists, as the speed and professionalism are important when working.

Cobble fence

Cobblestone has a lot of weight, so this fence will require the construction of a solid foundation. Even if you only intend to build a stone basement and support pillars, they will need a solid foundation. The main advantage of using cobblestone is a low price. Such a fence will cost even less than a brick.

Dolomite fence

Dolomite stone has a different shape, size and thickness, it is obtained by the explosion of rocks. It is much simpler than a cobblestone in processing, and its price is not that high, so it is more often used in the construction of fences. The construction can take several times less time. Sometimes dolomite is combined with cobblestones to create unusual decorative compositions.

An interesting option for combining materials - making fence posts from concrete, and spans - from natural stone. As a result, this option is cheaper, but it looks both original and beautiful. Often use a combination of several types of stones, for example, sandstone, dolomite and cobblestones.

Granite fencing

The most durable and at the same time the most expensive option is granite. It is quite rare, as more often granite is used not for erection of fences, but only for cladding. Sometimes used raw granite: it is very durable and can stand for centuries, it looks at the same time very solid.

Granite fence

Pieces of stone of approximately the same size are selected, sometimes they are subjected to additional grinding or processing with a special hammer to give them a more even shape. It is important to observe safety precautions, as small pieces of stone and crumb can severely hurt hands. Fences of granite necessarily require a strip foundation, as they are characterized by the greatest weight and density.

Stone fence

Booth - natural stone of irregular shape, the length of the ribs - from 150 to 500 mm. It is mined from various rocks in an explosive way. It has high strength, resistant to freezing and thawing. Before building a fence, the stone must be sorted: the best will be the material for the pillars, which require greater strength. Medium - goes to the front side of the fence, and the rest of the material will serve for the internal laying.

Booth requires hard work, because the stones must be leveled before use. On the front side of the fence should not be obvious irregularities. Since bout is obtained from both granite and sandstone and dolomite, combinations of stones of different colors can be used. Take a look at the photo and see how beautiful the material is.

Pergons as a type of stone fencing

Formerly, metal-mesh structures with stone filling were used only to create military fortifications. Today, pergons have become a type of decorative fences, for which large investments and large labor costs are not required. The filler can be crushed stone, limestone, pebbles and other types of stone materials. The design does not require a strong foundation, it has a small thickness and at the same time has high strength.

Pergons with stone backfill

How to build a fence of stone?

Building a stone fence with your own hands is quite a laborious task, requiring patience and certain skills. The work is carried out in several stages. Sample instruction:

Formwork foundation

1. Foundation construction. Its depth must be at least 150 cm under the supporting pillars and not less than a meter under the spans, because otherwise the fence will not have adequate strength. Traditional concrete mix is ​​used for casting, often the foundation is accompanied by a frame made of reinforcement. The video in this article will show how to avoid mistakes and build a quality foundation under a stone fence or wall;
2. A few days after the foundation has been laid, formwork is carried out for the supporting posts. Formwork is placed on the foundation and attached to the grillage. After that, you can proceed to the laying itself;

Masonry stone pillars

1. A stone of approximately the same diameter (about 30 cm) is selected. As a solution, you can take the cement-sand mixture in a ratio of 1: 3. The sand should be of medium size, it should not contain impurities of clay;

Cobblestones for the future fence

1. The solution is laid out on a concrete base, after which the stone is laid on it outside with a flat side. Stones are carefully brought together, and the voids between them are immediately sealed with mortar.

You should know! When laying the first row, it is important that the solution does not fall on the upper surface of the stone, making it easier to lay the second and subsequent rows.

Ways of laying stones on the solution

Masonry

1. By laying the second row, you can start only a day. It is advisable to finish one row immediately so that the solution does not have time to harden. The work is usually done by 3-4 people, it is very difficult to cope alone. Construction always goes on for a long time, the whole season is guaranteed to erect a fence.

Stitching the finished masonry stone

After work, the outer surface of the stones is cleaned from traces of the solution with a stiff brush so that the wall looks aesthetically pleasing. The last stage of the work is the jointing, which uses a narrow spatula. The depth of the seams is up to one and a half centimeters.

Conclusion

Building a stone fence is expensive and troublesome enough. However, as a result, the fence around the house can stand for more than one hundred years. Proper installation, carried out according to the rules, will turn your home into a real fortress, surrounded on all sides by a solid and beautiful stone wall.