Dry stone walls: how they're made and how much they cost

Build a Wall of containment, for example in a steep garden, to make it easier, is the best solution in terms of safety. There are many techniques To do so, you'll need to be able to. In the past, retaining walls were primarily made of stone, but over time, concrete has taken over. Obviously, for a concrete wall, you need the assistance of experts in the field. If, however, you want to try your hand at a “do-it-yourself” masonry work, you can opt for the dry stone wallThe latter also becomes a decorative element for the garden and gives it to him a more natural look, when compared to the same element made of concrete.

How are they built?

The wall in question is called “dry” precisely because it is not used no type of binder to hold the stones together, such as mortar. In a dry stone wall, the stones are placed one on top of the other, leaving them intact, but not before having leveled the ground thoroughly. You begin by taking a mason's rope as a guide and placing the first stone on one end of it; then, the other end of the guide is covered with a second stone; after that, all the stones are placed in a row, trying to align them. Once the first row is in place, they must be given a slight slope towards the inside and then they are reinforced on the back, using gravel or of the landFinally, the rope is lifted and a second row begins to be created.

What are they for

Compared to a concrete wall, the “dry” one requires greater patience and precisionEach stone must be optimally positioned to prevent the work from collapsing if impacted. Obviously, when building a dry stone wall, one must always consider its intended function. The stones to be used must be squared, possibly using a chisel. The main characteristic of a dry stone wall is the balance between height and width. If the wall is tall, the width must also increase for stability. The dry stone wall is a humble construction, now supplanted by those that involve the use of new technologies. However, in some circumstances, it is still a necessary solution. When faced with rocky or sloping terrain, which is common in many regions of Italy, the dry stone wall becomes a real necessity, especially when certain areas require steps for vineyards or vegetable gardens.

For the dry stone wall, as already mentioned, stones are used, both large and small, alternating between them. But you can also use stones recovered from an old demolition of a building, mixed with various types of chippings. In short, dry stone walls are a good way to recycle available materials, provided they're suitable for this type of construction.

Types of drywall

We recognize two types of dry stone walls:

• The “dry stone” wall border, which, as the name suggests, creates a boundary between two areas. This wall is trapezoidal, and this shape gives it greater stability. It is created by carrying out a dig of about 20 cm for length and width, and then place the large stones in the excavation to ensure stability. This wall, therefore, is wider at the base and narrower at the top. To prevent water from seeping into the wall, it is necessary to place "cover" stones on top, which also make it much more stable.
• The “dry stone” wall against the ground, on the other hand, serves the function of retaining soil. It can contain a flowerbed, a tree, or mark the difference in level in a garden. In this type of dry stone wall, the side against the ground is perpendicular while the external side is inclined towards the slope of the area, thus supporting the natural thrust of the ground. Water can also exert considerable thrust, which is why holes are left midway in this type of wall to allow water to escape, preventing it from accumulating in the ground, which would then exert greater thrust on the masonry.

Benefits

Dry stone constructions boast ancient origins and it was the first construction method used by humans. Dry construction means building by layering materials, without the need for hydraulic adhesives or sealants, which need to dry and therefore significantly extend construction times. Today, this type of construction It uses materials that are joined together with screws or interlocking joints, thus using a completely mechanical connection. This is why it is also called green building, because one of the most obvious advantages of this type of construction technique is the ability to dismantle and recycle its components, which is especially true when a building constructed in this way must be demolished for any reason. This reduces the waste of raw materials, water consumption, and the release of polluting dust into the environment. Construction "Dry" construction represents a real challenge for the future of construction, both for new construction and for renovations. It is widespread in Northern Europe but still rarely used in Italy. A building constructed entirely "dry" requires a load-bearing steel or wood structure, which is mechanically assembled and then infilled with plasterboard or fiber cement. The walls can also be made of plasterboard or compressed straw. Speed ​​and eco sustainability, are therefore the first advantages of this type of construction, as well as the reduction in costs and times of actual construction of the building itself.

Dry system

The “dry” system is in fact much faster, compared to the traditional system, which requires that, once the pillars and beams have been placed, the concrete has to reach the required solidity before starting the external infill work. With the "dry" system, composed of prefabricated elements that are strictly quality-controlled, it saves a lot of time. Furthermore, such structures are much lighter and they reduce the weight that weighs on the structure ofbuilding in question.

Difference between retaining wall and fence wall

• Il retaining wall A retaining wall, as its name suggests, must "support" and contain natural earth mounds or ensure the stability of artificial mounds that are inclined more than a natural slope. It must also contain large volumes of water in tanks, pools, or basins. This type of wall must never slide on its supporting surface, nor must it rotate around its outermost point to avoid the risk of tipping over. The ground on which it rests must resist compressive stress, and finally, the entire assembly, consisting of wall and soil, must not succumb to compressive stresses that could cause it to slide downhill. Obviously, the intended use greatly influences the type of retaining wall built. A retaining wall for a dam must necessarily be different from a terrace wall. The stones used are those available locally. Tuff, lava stone, and granite must also be worked to obtain modular elements for ease of installation. A retaining wall must "contain," that is, it must support the ground, for example when it is susceptible to landslides. For example, a retaining wall supports embankments, preventing them from collapsing downhill and ensuring the integrity of the ground. A retaining wall is not considered an appurtenance, i.e., a structure without an independent purpose, but rather a new construction that transforms the area it impacts. Therefore, for this reason, it requires a building permit issued by the municipality of residence (Cass., Section III, November 21, 2018, no. 55366).
• Il wall of fenceAccording to the definition provided by the Court of Cassation, a boundary wall is a wall whose sides emerge from the ground and are isolated from any other construction. It also serves as a demarcation and separation between two properties; its height must not exceed three meters. A boundary wall, therefore, differs significantly from a retaining wall, and this difference is also evident in the regulations authorizing its construction. A boundary wall, unlike a retaining wall, is considered an appurtenance and therefore does not require a building permit, as its sole purpose is to enclose a property. It is sufficient to submit a certified CILA (Notice of Commencement of Works) to the Municipality's technical office, even electronically.

How much

Read also:

• Nearly a quarter of apartment buildings are dilapidated. How to redo systems and cut bills in half.
• Wooden garden sheds, for all possible uses. No permits are required for buildings under twenty square meters.
• Painting your walls easily and cheaply: the step-by-step process
• Garden: How to Make It Beautiful, Flowery, Colorful, and Eco-Friendly

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