Step 11: Build the Wall

Build a Wall
Photo: Kolin Smith
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A comfortable sitting height for a wall is 18 to 24 inches, including capstones. Most cast concrete stones are heavy enough to stay upright without help. But for safety’s sake, you should glue down at least every other course—and certainly the capstones—with construction adhesive made for stonework.

Using a caulk gun, apply masonry construction adhesive in two lines on top of the first course of stones. Set the second course on top of the first, making sure to stagger the joints.
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    Tools List

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    • mason's line
      Mason's line and Line level

    • square spade
      Spade

    • tamper
      Hand Tamper

    • four-foot level
      4-foot level

    • mallet
      Rubber Mallet

    • mason's chisel and maul
      Mason's Chisels and Maul

    • brick hammer
      Brick Hammer

    • caulk gun
      Caulk Gun

    Shopping List

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    Cast Concrete Block:
    Choose a block made specifically for freestanding walls, not retaining walls or pavers. To calculate how many blocks you need, multiply the length of the wall, in inches, by the height, and divide that figure by the area (length x height) of the side of one block. Add 10 percent to account for cuts and breakage.

    Paver Base:
    A mixture of ¾-inch crushed rock and stone dust. One yard covers 108 square feet 3 inches deep.

    Stone Dust:
    One yard covers 324 square feet 1 inch deep.

    Masonry Construction Adhesive