5 Reasons to Consider Building a Stone Wall Outdoors

Garden and patio stone walls used to be very popular elements of residential construction. In the past, they were used to establish the legal boundaries of land properties, and they were also built at a certain height to promote privacy. In Ireland, potato farmers would obsessively remove loose fieldstone from their planting rows because they hated tripping over them or striking them with shovels during harvesting. As a result, just about every Irish farmhouse ended up with stone walls. These days, stone walls mostly serve decorative purposes, but they also offer certain advantages.

1. Increased Property Value

When natural stone walls are part of an elaborate landscaping project, home appraisers tend to pay attention, particularly when the properties are located in upscale neighborhoods. Stone walls tend to add an element of refinement that will not be ignored by listing agents and prospective buyers.

2. Aesthetic and Therapeutic Benefits

Well-kept gardens with features such as fountains, fruit trees, bird feeders, edible herbs, benches, walking paths, and stone walls do more than just beautify. These residential improvements add therapeutic value to a home. In a 2007 study by the University of Essex, researchers surveyed thousands of people who visited national parks in England and Scotland. The findings determined most people who have a physical or emotional ailment tend to feel better when they encounter nature, an effect known as ecotherapy. A natural stone seating wall with a nice view of the garden could be just what the doctor ordered.

3. Versatility

With natural stone, your garden decoration ideas should not be limited to retaining walls. You can also make picnic benches, steps, raised planters, and fountains. If you already have natural stone flooring or countertops, you do not have to match interior colors or textures. In fact, you should think about diversity of design.

4. Low Maintenance Requirements

Let’s say you choose to build a low seating wall for your garden. The base can be made with bricks or blocks, but the top capping element can be a polished slab of limestone to make it more inviting to sit on. Once this project is completed, you can take care of the stone’s maintenance on your own. You will only need to worry about the top slab, which can be kept clean with a high-quality outdoor stone cleaner, and you will not have to worry about cleaning the bricks or blocks underneath.

5. Reasonable Costs

Depending on the size and scope of your landscaping project, natural stone walls may be more affordable than you think. Unless you want your patio or garden to look like an ancient Roman temple, you will not have to spend too much on a stone wall. You do not have to purchase entire slabs of white marble to build the wall. You can use concrete blocks covered by flat and geometric pieces of flagstone instead. When caring for stone outdoors, you’ll also want to seal it regularly with a stone-safe granite sealer. Granite Gold Sealer® is safe to use on all types of natural stone, including marble, granite, and limestone.

If you’d like to learn more about caring for stone, reach out to Granite Gold® today at 1-800-475-7866.