26 Types of Stone Walls (with Photos)
If you’re building a wall on your property, the chances are that it’s either for privacy or protection. Perhaps you want to close yourself off from prying eyes or passing traffic. Or maybe you want an added layer of security.
There are many things to consider when building a wall, regardless of your reason for it. To begin, you can choose from brick walls or stone walls. Both brick and stone can withstand the elements, but natural stone is stronger and will last longer.
Although natural stone walls are made from granite, sandstone, limestone, or fieldstone, the specific type of stone wall you need will depend on several factors. Even though some stones like Portland Stone are more of a novelty, Pennsylvania Colonial, Snapped Bluestone, Rainbow Sandstone, Limestone, and Venetian Cobble are all still popular types of stone walls.
In this article, we will take you through the 26 types of stone walls so that you can figure out what’s best for your project! Let’s get started.
26 Types Of Stone Walls
What type of stone wall is the best? We have compiled a list of 26 types of stone walls to help you find one best suited to your needs.
1. Pennsylvania Fieldstone
Pennsylvania Fieldstone is a thin, flat, naturally occurring stone. Pennsylvania Fieldstone gets its name because as settlers cleared the land, this stone was stacked neatly to designate property lines.
Since fieldstone is broken and not cut, remember that 90-degree corners are nearly impossible. You can stack it for a dry-laid stone wall, or you can build a mortared Pennsylvania Fieldstone wall with the stones facing out, which gives the appearance of a larger stone.
2. Pennsylvania Colonial
Pennsylvania Colonial Wallstone is another naturally occurring stone praised for its weathered aesthetic. Since it’s broken from larger sheets of quarried bluestone, Pennsylvania Colonial stone walls are great for dry-stacking. Pennsylvania Colonial stone walls have a classic, rugged look and vary in color from brown to blue-gray.
3. Bluestone Colonial
Bluestone Colonial Wall Stone is another stone that is ideal for stacking. Since Bluestone Colonial is a quarried, natural stone, its broken edges lend this stone wall a unique, layered appearance. Colors can range from green to blue-gray.
4. Antique Granite Wallstone
Quarried white granite that has been cut into large rectangular pieces is perfect for a tightly mortared stone wall.
Antique Granite Wall Stone is a popular choice for steps, curbing, garden walls, and even cobblestones. Sometimes called weathered granite, Antique Granite Wall Stone is speckled and textured for a quaint, homey aesthetic.
5. Split Face or Mosaic
A Split Face stone wall is built with aesthetics in mind, not utility. For a Split Face stone wall, the stone is first cut. You can then use the flat side of the split stone to create the face of the wall.
Mortar is necessary to create a smooth, even face. A Split Face stone wall is perfect for those wanting a clean, seamless finish. And since you need to mortar any split face stone wall, you can build it as high as you’d like!
6. Veneer Wall
You can build a veneer stone wall by securing face stones to a concrete backing. The concrete support acts as the foundation, and thin face stones are stacked to create a smooth, even finish.
You can even use thin wall stones like Pennsylvania Colonial or Pennsylvania Fieldstone to create the face of the wall, similar to tiling.
You can cut your veneer according to preference, so it’s easy to achieve the look you want. And it’s not restricted to concrete backing— you can attach a veneer stone wall to your house too!
7. Modular Block Wall
If you think Modular Block stone wall sounds cookie-cutter and boring, well, you’d be right. Modular wall blocks are manufactured as large concrete blocks that you can tightly stack.
Modular Block stone walls are popular with commercial businesses, strip malls, and office buildings. And while they might not be the most exciting, they’re able to take on heavy loads for maximum protection.
8. Rainbow Sandstone
Rainbow Sandstone is beautifully marbled, marked by its distinct blend of pinks, tans, reds, and purples. It brings warmth and sparkle to any patio or walkway.
Sandstone is soft and easy to cut to a smooth finish, but that same softness allows its vibrant colors to fade more quickly.
9. Tumbled Rainbow Sandstone
Tumbled Rainbow Sandstone is Rainbow Sandstone that has been tumbled or tossed to smooth out any rough edges.
Even better in the sun, Tumbled Rainbow Sandstone’s texture resembles sand and sparkles in the light. As with most tumbled stones, you should mortar Tumbled Rainbow Sandstone for the most secure result.
10. Bluestone Wall
Bluestone is a rustic natural stone with a fine-grained surface. Although Bluestone can get pricey, it’s popular in commercial construction due to its durability. Bluestone is dense and can withstand the harshest conditions, including annual freezing and thawing.
11. Snapped Full-Color Bluestone Wall
Since “snapped” stones have been snapped or split to achieve the desired rectangular shape, each stone is naturally unique.
Because of its natural look, snapped Bluestone is a favorite for landscapes and gardens. Full-Color Bluestone is one of the densest natural stones and can take the heaviest loads.
12. Limestone
Limestone walls are among the most durable and weather-resistant of all stone walls. You can stack Limestone three blocks high for a low retaining wall. For a Limestone privacy wall, you would need to establish an anchoring system and foundation.
13. Tumbled Bluestone
Tumbled Bluestone is Bluestone that has been processed for an antique, “hand-chiseled” edge. The softened edges make it easier to follow the landscaping flow, making tumbled Bluestone a perfect candidate for a new garden wall.
14. Cliffstone
Cliff stone is a new and modern manufactured stone known for its symmetry. Using both rectangular stones and thin tiles allows for a polished, balanced finish. The flat-planed faces add to the contemporary feel of a Cliffstone stone wall.
15. Country Ledgestone
With their quaint, homey feel, Country Ledgestone walls are reminiscent of an old cottage. Country Ledge is a type of stone wall comprised of a working mixture of rectangular and linear stones. Stack them around a tree for an easy spring landscaping project.
16. Ohio Rubble
Ohio Rubble is a large, regal stone. The stately, chiseled face of an Ohio Rubble stone wall seems fit for a king or at least a castle.
The softly weathered stone bricks are timeless and offered in warm earth tones. The stones are tightly mortared for a clean, smooth face.
17. Venetian Cobble
Although Venetian Cobble is a manufactured stone, you’d never know it. Venetian Cobble has the appearance of natural stone with its large, angled edges. The blocky, rectangular shapes make Venetian Cobble a versatile choice for interior or exterior walls.
18. Apple Creek Blue Wall Stone
Apple Creek Blue is a silvery blue flat stone with a slightly rough surface. It’s extremely thin, making it ideal for dry-stacking. The stone is entirely natural, and when stacked, it produces a rich, layered texture that lends it a rustic look.
19. Portland Stone
Portland Stone is a type of limestone revered by architects. Used extensively in the UK, Portland Stone is sometimes referred to as the “building blocks of London.” Portland Stone is still quarried to this day, although it can get expensive.
20. Dolph Pond Granite
Dolph Pond Granite is an elegant stone with a slightly coarse grain. The hints of garnet and quartz make Dolph Pond Granite dazzling, but not too over the top.
And since it’s granite, it’s weather-resistant. The rough texture and irregular natural patterns make Dolph Pond Granite a natural choice for luxurious outdoor kitchens.
21. Ridge Ledgestone
Ridge Ledge stone walls have a rugged look that can enhance the surrounding nature. The stones are smooth and blended with browns and rich greys for a worn-in and natural appearance. Since it’s easy to stack, Ridge Ledgestone walls make a great addition to gardens.
22. Concrete Block
Interlocking concrete block stone walls are made to have the appearance of natural stone but with a more uniform factory appearance.
Since concrete is cheaper, concrete block stone walls are popular in commercial and residential landscaping. You can even dry-stack cinderblocks with the proper foundation.
23. Connecticut Fieldstone
Connecticut Fieldstone walls have the classic New England cobbled cottage aesthetic but with slightly darker stones. It makes for gorgeous, winding garden pathways and low-lying retaining walls.
24. Old World Stone
Old World Stone walls are designed to resemble hand-chiseled stones salvaged from a crumbling 19th-century foundation. Sounds romantic, right? Old world stone is characterized by angular, chunky pieces for a royal castle feel.
25. Slate
Slate is always a popular choice when enriching your outdoor space. As a building material, slate is durable and long-lasting. A slate stone wall is perfect for an outdoor accent or retaining wall.
26. Colonial Wallstone
Colonial Wallstone is a flat, thin stone similar to the Pennsylvania Colonial. Since it’s often made from the bluestone quarry castoffs, you can cut Colonial Wallstone down to size for a tight-fitting finish.
Colonial Wallstone is on the softer side, so it’s possible to work with a chisel and hammer for a custom stone wall.
Should I Choose Dry-Laid Or Mortared?
When choosing a stone wall, how you plan to build it plays an important role. Dry-laid stone walls and mortared stone walls both have their benefits.
But mortared stone may be more appropriate for a retaining wall, while dry-laid can be easily maintained while landscaping.
Dry-Laid Stone Wall
Dry-laid stone walls are precisely that– stone walls built by stacking dry-laid rocks on top of one another.
Since dry-laid stone walls don’t use any adhesive, the stacked stones need to be flat and rectangular. Dry-laid stone walls tend to be cheaper since you can use fewer materials. You can even use found materials and make it a DIY project!
Mortared Stone Wall
Mortared stone walls are stone walls that are held together by mortar. Mortar is an adhesive paste that binds masonry units together or fills in gaps. Or in our case, the mortar holds the stone wall together. Because the mortar is a strong adhesive, you can choose almost any kind of stone to build your wall.
Keep in mind that mortared stone walls require footing several inches in-ground. Installing a mortared stone wall may be more expensive, but it will be more secure.
If you have a particular stone in mind that isn’t small, flat, or easily stackable, you may need to go the extra step and mortar your wall. With a mortared stone wall, you can choose any type of stone and build to any height.
Since you can build mortared walls higher, they make great retaining or privacy walls. On the other hand, dry-laid walls are much easier to maintain and are perfect for landscaping.
What Are The Four Different Types Of Stone?
Granite
Granite’s large, chunky composition makes it an ideal choice for dry-laid stone walls. You can find different substitutions and colors, but natural granite comes in white, pink, or gray. Granite is one of the strongest construction materials.
Sandstone
Sandstone is super easy to cut into your desired shape. Since it’s more malleable, you can use sandstone for dry-laid walls, mortared walls, or even veneers– just shape it accordingly.
Limestone
Like sandstone, limestone is celebrated for how easy it is to shape. Limestone’s versatility makes it a popular choice for stone walls and can be fit to meet your needs.
Fieldstone
Fieldstone is sometimes called “tossed” or “tumbled” stone, as it is generally more rounded. Fieldstone refers to any stone harvested from the ground or a field. Since fieldstone is often “found” rocks, the size and consistency can vary greatly. If not made of “found” rocks, the price goes up the more sorted the fieldstone is.
Which Stone Wall Is Most Cost-Effective?
When choosing the building materials for your stone wall, you should consider several factors. If you live in an area where you can use fieldstones– or “found” stones– take advantage of it!
Fieldstone walls are often built without mortar and will usually settle and secure themselves over time. If you’re on a budget, fieldstone may be your best option. Check your local regulations.
If fieldstone walls are not an option, granite stone walls are durable and dependable. Even if it’s a bit costly upfront, granite stone walls will likely last the longest, making them a worthy investment to your property.
Which Stone Wall Will Last The Longest Against?
The strongest type of stone wall is made from poured concrete. Concrete can even be veneered or carved to appear like mortared stone.
Since granite isn’t porous, its weather-resistant qualities make for a durable stone wall as well. Granite can last through freezing and thawing cycles without apparent signs of weathering.
Do I Need To Seal My Stone Wall?
Yes, we always recommend sealing any outdoor stone. If your stone wall is exposed to the elements, such as rain, snow, or moisture, the natural stone will expand and contract, compromising the structure. A sealant helps to repel precipitants and other abrasive elements.
HK Sloan is a freelance writer currently covering DIY Home Improvement, Health, and Lifestyle. Sloan is passionate about improving situations for less, whether it be working on mind, body, or home.
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