• Stone is by far the most natural, most inviting, and most durable choice to use for steps in a mountain landscape, i.e. foot paths, climbing banks, walls, terraces. The most commonly used stone is native flat stones 4-8 inches thick with various widths.
• For patios, thin Tennessee stone is ideal in mortar or for covering existing concrete slabs. Native step stones work well for plant friendly design as you can plant between the steps. Native stone is also less expensive.
• Stack stone walls and terraces remain a favorite for gardeners and admirers of old-time US or Irish and English influenced landscapes.
• Stack stone can be installed with mortar for added strength, i.e. driveways, pillars, foundation facing.
• Most widely used in garden walls is "dry" stack stone backfilled with soil. This allows for different varieties of plants to be used or interplanted with the stone. It also has a more natural appearance.

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Stone Work FAQ's

1. Wouldn't railroad ties or precast decorative blocks be less expensive?

• Yes and no. Seriously consider your landscape. If you like a more rigid, less natural look, railroad ties can be used but they will eventually rot. Lately, decorative cast concrete blocks are more commonly used in suburban neighborhoods. Just remember where you are and keep it natural. Many homeowners later question their decision or pay more to redo it in stone.

  2. What color stone should I use? What are the price differences?

• Preference is key to stone choice, i.e. grey, brown, thick, thin. The two most common types of stone used in this area are:

  a) Native field or mountain stone. It ranges from light to dark grey and contains a mixture of brown. It is strong, dense, and classic. It is also less expensive.

  b) Tennessee field stone. It comes in various shades of grey and light brown and contains hues of red and green. It has less substance than local stone and has a newer appearance. It provides a good look but is more expensive.

  c) River rock is not as common in stack walls. However, it actually looks great in the right setting and is the cheapest of all.

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If boulders are preferred:

• Be sure there is adequate space to allow for their size.
• Desired spot for boulders is accessible to trucks and machinery.
• Consider boulders early in the site-prep for home; this can save a considerable amount of time and money if planned for.

  Aesthetic as well as useful

• When installed properly, large native boulders are ideal for covering the most ground for the least money.
• Boulders can be used to retain weak driveways, eroding banks and hillsides, and parking areas.
• Boulders can also be aesthetically used to accent pond edges, planting beds and borders.
• More recently, erosion in surrounding lakes is being addressed in conjunction with state and local agencies. Boulders backed with erosion blocking fabric is a good method to prevent further erosion from occurring.
• Boulders can also be used to create terraces and natural gardens.

Locally collected boulder comes in various shapes, sizes, and colors:

• Field aged river boulder has a smoother, more rounded look (works well with water) and comes in shades of grey to light brown or mossy.

• Native mountain boulder is commonly used in larger retaining walls due to its more angular or squared shapes. Colors vary from black, brown, and grey with touches of red and green.

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