Sourcing stone

Choolips

Hi,

I'm just wondering if anyone can help me locate natural stone similar to the type in this photo?

I wonder would it be hard to source? I don't like the really straight square looking quarried stone often used in new builds.

I really like the long flat stacked stone and dry finish. I'm a few months off building but just trying to make plans.


Thanks in advance!

sydthebeat

pm sent

Eoghan Barra

The square, block/brick-like stone you refer to is probably Liscannor. This material is popular for 3 main reasons:
1. Many of those who are building stone walls for a living were previously blocklayers, so they are naturally more comfortable using a stone that is extremely uniform in shape and dimensions
2. Many people think that a wall built with such regular forms is 'neater' and therefore better
3. Because of its regularity, Liscannor greatly speeds up the area of stonework one guy can lay in a day. Using more irregular stone is often incredibly slow to do right, and a stone might easily be picked up 5 or 6 times and put back down before finding its spot in a wall

To my mind it's a great pity that such monotonous types of stone walling have become so ubiquitous. In the past only local stones were used, and often in a very characteristic way, giving each area its own distinct forms, as well as indicating the underlying geology. The stones were often fieldstone, as opposed to quarried stone, so the faces were naturally weathered and had character.

I would advise you to first look at old stone walls in the locality in which you are building to see what type of stone was used, and to then make enquiries in order to find someone who may be (legally) demolishing an old building built with the same material.

Just as importantly, only engage a stonemason to lay the stone after looking at some of his work, as in my opinion most of them haven't a clue about the fundamental principles of stone wall building, probably because of their common background as blockies. This is not just a question of structural stability: a badly built stone wall looks awful - much like that plastic fake stuck-on stonework you sometimes see. Painted and rendered block would be far preferable aesthetically.

Choolips

Thanks for the v informative reply.

This photo is actually taken of a house rebuilt on the site on a ruin on an Island off Scotland so I don't think it could be Liscannor as its locally sourced.

What I liked about it (and sort of contrary to what you say in your post) was that it isn't actually that uniform and blocky..there are a lot of long flats stones of varying lengths stacked on top of each other, and squeezed into small spaces and then some larger squarer stones every so often. I think this example of really class workmaship but I can't be going to the Scottish Islands for stone or a stonemason!

Yes I hear you re sourcing stone from a demolished building. I will def consider but I'm worried certain stonemasons will only use cut/quarried stone?

I would definitely only use a stonemason one who's work I've seen. At the moment I'm more concerned about finding the right stone as that monotonous square blocky stone can absolutely ruin a house. I'd rather have no stone than some of the finishes I've seen.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Eoghan Barra

The stone in the photo is not Liscannor.

You mentioned that you don't like the 'really straight square looking quarried stone often used in new builds', and it was this I was referring to when when I wrote about Liscannor.

The tricky part in obtaining the type of 'dry stone wall' finish in the photo will be in keeping the mortar away from the face. To achieve this the mortar will have to be quite dry, and protected from rain until it sets up.

Good luck with the project.

Sonnenblumen

Choolips wrote: »

Hi,

I'm just wondering if anyone can help me locate natural stone similar to the type in this photo?

I wonder would it be hard to source? I don't like the really straight square looking quarried stone often used in new builds.

I really like the long flat stacked stone and dry finish. I'm a few months off building but just trying to make plans.


Thanks in advance!

The stone in that photo is terrible, more rubble than dressed. Where are you located, I could recommend some excellent grey sandstone quarries with well guillotined stone ideal for drystone finishes?

Slick50

Where are you based? I know an excellent stonemason, he featured on one of Diarmuid Gavin's "I want a garden shows" a while back. He could probably help you with sourcing the type of stone your after. I'll PM you his details if you like.

Choolips

Sonnenblumen..I have to disagree about it being terrible..I guess its a matter of personal taste but I think that stone has a lovely authentic, old-style feel/look. Its class. I love that it doesnt have perfectly squared off edges. I'm in the Midlands but willing to travel for the right stone. Will you pm me with your recommendations all the same? Cheers!

Slick 50, could you pm me details on the Stonemason and I'll try and look up their work! Thanks..