Posted on 23 Aug 2017

Dry Stack Installation
Also known as dry stone, dry stack is an ancient technique that stacks stones seemingly without mortar to cement them in place. It requires careful and skilled placement of the individual stones, but done right, it is a sturdy and attractively rustic treatment. Often it is used outdoors for retaining walls and barriers, or for statement pillars at the gateway to a property. The tightly packed stones can be arranged in a variety of patterns for dry stack – in European countries and the UK you’ll often see fences and walls with horizontal stones and vertical capstones, for example. You may also see walls with shallow troughs on top for planting. Expert dry stack installation can be an art form with unlimited possible variations. It’s somewhat challenging for stone veneer DIYers, but definitely worth the effort.
Black Pearl Micro Ledge installed in a tight fit masonry style.
Standard Mortar Joint
In masonry, the term “mortar joint” refers to the spaces between stones or bricks that are conventionally filled with mortar compound or grout. The size of the joint is frequently standardized to an even thickness (usually about the width of a finger). This is the most common natural stone masonry treatment – and you’ll see it everywhere from exterior accent trim, stone walls and interior design features. While the function of mortar or grout is primarily to keep moisture out, in traditional masonry it has aesthetic properties as well. Grout lines may be slightly recessed between the stones, but may also be applied flush to the edge of the stone, beaded or tuck-pointed (a technique that uses white and colored mortar to create the illusion of a very thin line between stones or bricks). In the past, many of these advanced masonry techniques were labor-intensive; advances in stone veneer technology now make it a snap.
Spring Valley Ledge Stone Veneer with a standard mortar joint.
Overgrout Mortar Joint
An even more rustic looking mortar joint treatment calls for “overgrouting”. This masonry method involves the free hand smearing of mortar over much of the stones’ surface. The joints themselves are flush with the stones rather than recessed. This centuries old method results in an old world appearance that suggests permanence and tradition. You’ll see it on exterior walls for a country cottage aesthetic or used on patios and decorative walls. Indoors, overgrouting would look great on a rustic fireplace surround or on a feature wall that looks like it might be an old remnant uncovered during an archeological dig. Very atmospheric.
An over grout installation of Arbutus Field Stone Veneer.