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Post by balkanbabe on Nov 9, 2008 19:40:03 GMT 1
Does anyone have any idea how a stone wall is made? Do they actually use lumps of rock or is it just a facade that's glued onto concrete?
I'd like to have one built in front of my house and considering I'm living in a country that's basically made of rock (Montenegro!) it's impossible to find anyone that has any idea.
Someone referred me to a guy who supposedly is the best stonemason in town but he just kept rabbiting on about how difficult it is to get any materials. Then he tells me I have to get it all done in concrete first by someone else and then he'll just come along and glue the stone on.
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Post by gmh on Nov 9, 2008 20:11:18 GMT 1
That guy is not a stone mason if he told you that ! Yes, you can first have a concrete wall built and then have a stone facade attached, but that's not how a real stone mason would do it. A stone wall can be 'dry stone' without any mortar holding the stones together or with mortar holding the stones together. Dry stone walls are very common all over Croatia and most people who live in a village could probably build one. I would have assumed it's the same for Montenegro. You just need stone for a dry stone wall and mortar(cement mixed with sand, lime and water) if you want a mortared wall. I don't imagine either is hard to get down there. Keep looking for the right guy.
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Post by balkanbabe on Nov 9, 2008 21:57:10 GMT 1
Problem is the plot is not flat but goes uphill and I need to attach a sliding gate to it so need something pretty solid. I've already got a dry stone wall behind the house but it looks fairly unstable to me.
You wouldn't believe it but it's nearly impossible to find a stonemason or stone.
Also, I asked this guy about building a stone bbq and after huffing and puffing about how difficult it is etc, told me it would take a month to build and cost 3,000 Euros just for labour. I nearly fainted.
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Post by gmh on Nov 10, 2008 9:45:24 GMT 1
Ok, if you're attaching a sliding gate to it then you don't want a dry stone wall. Slope shouldn't be a problem though. Can't you collect stone off your land ? Maybe you should do the bbq as a diy project then consider the wall. Plenty of info online for these things
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Post by balkanbabe on Nov 10, 2008 10:50:47 GMT 1
LOL! I live in town, not a farm so no lumps of old stone lying around.
Not into DIY and don't want a botch job.
This is what's so frustrating about living here, you want to pay to get something done but can never find proper builders.
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Post by gobrea on Nov 10, 2008 21:17:12 GMT 1
put a notice up in the local market, also do u want wall high, thin or wide, cement blocks with stone facade, just cement blocks, do u want it plastered, stuccoed. what kind of land is it on, does it need a foundation. how big is the gate,would it better for a swinging gate or a sliding gate, how much space is there between exterior house wall and new wall.
answer these and i can give u advice then,
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Post by yupyit on Nov 19, 2008 14:47:26 GMT 1
Hello, I am visiting Istria between December 4th and 11th to do some research on stone walls and what are known as "kazun" small stone huts. I am a dry stone waller and if you need help with your walls PM me in more detail and l'll try and help.
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Post by balkanbabe on Nov 19, 2008 16:32:26 GMT 1
Thanks for the offer, it's very kind. I think I've got it sorted. Happened to come across a Dalmatian builder from Zadar who lives and works here so knows what he's doing.
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