How to Build a Stone Fence

Co-authored by Sina Kamran

Last Updated: December 9, 2024

What most people perceive as a stone wall is actually a stone fence when it's used to mark boundaries rather than act as a barrier. Even if you're an amateur, you can build your own stone fence by following these instructions.

Steps

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Get big stones for a big wall, smaller stones for a smaller wall.^{[1]
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Research source} Make sure you have a good supply of smaller stones that can fill gaps. You may want to use stone blocks.
If the base is uneven, use a leveling line to correct it.

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Decide how wide and how long it should be, where you want it and how high it should be (mark this, either with ruler/yardstick or a grid/blueprint).
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Lay out a side rail (with something long like sticks, rulers, wood, small stones) to guide you, and outline where you want your wall, so that your wall is consistent. To make a straight and level wall, get string or flagging tape and tie it between posts on both ends of the fence. Make sure to tie the string / flagging tape at the height you want your fence to use as a guide.^{[3]
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Call a professional, strong friends, or neighbors who can help you. Use a wheelbarrow or a handcart to move heavy stones. Extraordinarily large stones may need to be moved with special power equipment.
Make sure you fill in the spaces, and it's a fairly even layer, and patch-in holes/spaces with dirt or more dirt to give you a good base.
To make a strong wall try to place each stone over the gap between two stones beneath it.^{[4]
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Expert Q&A

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How do I attach a fence post to a stone wall? Like a wooden fence post?

Sina Kamran
Hardscape Specialist
Sina Kamran is a Hardscaping Specialist and the Owner of Design Scapes, Inc. in Santa Monica, California. With over 15 years of experience, he specializes in customized, site-specific hardscaping and landscaping design/build projects. He's a certified National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA) designer, a certified installer with the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI), and a Rain Bird Certified Irrigation Professional. Additionally, Design Scapes, Inc. has many 5-star rated reviews.

Sina Kamran

Hardscape Specialist

Expert Answer

For a natural stone wall composed of boulders and rocks, you can securely attach items by setting them in concrete behind the wall. It's essential to ensure proper anchoring. In the case of walls that appear to be natural stone but are actually veneers over a cinderblock wall, attachments can be made to the cinderblock wall beneath the veneer.

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Tips

The ways in which a wall defies these common sense rules often is what makes it beautiful. Don't be afraid to experiment with irregular sizes and shapes.

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If you have a particularly pretty rock, attempt to find a place for it as an edge or top stone.

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Use "native" stone whenever possible: that is, local stone better fits the landscape (eg, color, mosses, lichens, etc.) than trucked-in stone.

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Warnings

Make sure it's safe, not on top of any wires or any plumbing outlets.

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Make sure you build your wall in a safe, sturdy place.

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If it's not built correctly it may fall, so beware of any balance issues.

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Things You'll Need

Stones or Stone Blocks (Amount depends on the width of your wall.), gravel and stone dust.
Wheelbarrow, Mason's Hammer, Cold Chisels, Brick Hammer.
Sticks, Rulers, Wood, or Small Stones (For side rail.)
Gloves, Safety goggles with side shields