Here are some beginning numbers.....I'm also thinking that the veneer
if made of fiberglass would be a lot more inexpensive.... and the
veneer gives me a lot more color/pattern selection then local
suppliers of field stone.

Manufacturer that I looked at was Eldorado Stone, next manufacturer
was L&S Stone. Both are suppliers to local distributors.

for a 16" high x 20 foot long wall

30 concrete blocks @ 1.50 each 45.00
27 lf of Stone Veneer @ $8. lf 208.00
20 lf of cap rock @ 3 lf 60.00
misc mortar, mesh, adhesive etc 20.00

Looks like about $333.00 for the wall.

I've haven't priced out field stone just yet.... but my concerns are
that stacked stone might not hold up as a retaining wall without the
use of mortar. I'm doing a raised bed (about 12" high) to correct
a problem area.

This is my first real hardscape project..... totally unfamilar
with what works and what doesn't. Haven't a clue about
the economics either.

I'm located over in Columbia, Md, which campus are you???


On 22 May 2003 07:08:38 -0700, (jcart003)
wrote:

I have several stone walls that I have built on my property.... never
as you describe however..... Are you sure you need the block? 16
inches isn't to high and if you have access to stone for a reasonable
cost it may work better to just make the wall of dry stacked stone.
Use pea gravel for 6 inches behind the wall to keep rodents from
digging behind the stone. This allows water to drain out easily and
you can stick sedums between the rocks.....
As for the stone veneer, my brother has a stone veneer on his
house that he installed himself. It looks pretty good and was easy to
do, you just put a mesh backer up and glue the rock to the wall. I am
not sure but i think he had a type of caulk to fill in the joints.
Look in brick supply yards for a source.
good luck!


Pete wrote in message . ..
Out of lurk mode with a question....

I'm building a stone wall, 20 feet long x 16 inches high out of
Concrete Block. I'd like to finish the surface with stone exterior
and have located a few local sources, but need some more information
about what to look out for. Any gotcha's or "wish I had done this"
out there.....


Also, is there an artifical stone veneer, possibly made out of
fiberglass, that could be used and
how would one go about locating this ???


Thanking you in advance !!!