Glossary of Stonemasonry Terms
A sample drystone wall with a heap of local quarried granite in the background.
Here is a list of the terms used on this site with explanations, definitions, and pictures .
Arch
Construction of a mortared arch showing the interior and wooden form.
A structure that spans a space and supports a load. Arches are a 4000 year old technology and can be either mortared or drystone. There are many types of arches, but common types are flat, segmental, elliptical, and semicircular.
A segemental arch represents a portion, or segment, of the radius of a circle which is lees than half.
This flat arch is able to carry the weight of the stonework with or without steel reinforcement.
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A semicircular arch is half the radius of a circle.
This elliptical arch is an example of the incredible structural stonework found on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
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Boulders
A fresh pile of boulders waiting to be placed in a wall.
Large, rough stones which often require equipment to move or place. We often use boulders to build retaining walls or enhance a landscape.
Capstone/Coping
Flat caps finish a drystone wall.
Stones that are used to finish a wall. They can be the same, or a different type of stone than the wall, and horizontal, vertical, or sloping.
Cement
Living Stone masons Tom and Justin mixing cement.
a binder, a substance that sets and hardens independently, and can bind other materials together. Specifically, I use the word to refer to Portland Cement which we mix with sand to make mortar.
Concrete
It is efficient and cost-effective to order from a concrete company.
Construction material composed of aggregate, cement, and water. We often build concrete footing to support the weight of our mortared stonework.
Chocolate Grey
Chocolate Grey flagstone on Mortared steps.
A type of quarried stone from Marion, NC. (See Quarried Stone).
Drystone
Drystone Retaining wall under construction.
A building method by which structures are constructed without any mortar to bind them together. This is the oldest method of building with stone, and correctly built drystone structures can last hundreds of years before needing repairs.
Dry Stream Bed
Tom places river stone in a dry stream bed.
A decorative feature in a landscape that often serves the function of channeling stormwater runoff.
DSWA
This photo was taken upon completion of our level I certification test in Asheville, NC.
Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain. An organization that promotes the craft of Drystone. They offer many levels of certification, and this Spring, Josh and I earned our Level II and Will his level I. In addition, Josh and I are DSWA instructor certified.
http://www.dswa.org.uk/
http://www.dswa.org.uk/
Fieldstone
I usually buy TN fieldstone in 1 or 2 ton pallets.
Stone collected from the surface of fields or forests where it collects naturally. Fieldstone has a weathered appearance, and is sometimes covered in moss or lichen. We often use fieldstone from Tennessee or Virginia which is a hard, colorful sandstone.
Flagstone
This grey Crab Orchard Flagstone is set in a base of gravel.
Flat stone used for paving, walkways,and capstones. We often use grey flagstone quarried in Crab Orchard TN, but many colors are available from quarries in NC, TN, and VA.
Footings
Pouring a reinforced concrete footing with a wooden form to create the desired shape.
This term usually applies to steel reinforced concrete which supports the weight of a structure. In the case of a drystone structure, footings can be rubble or gravel.
Full sized mortared stone
A section of mortared wall after repairs.
See mortared stone
Hardscape
Sedums are a common plant found in rock gardens.
Any part of a landscape not involving plants or dirt. Examples are sidewalks, walls, water features, curbing, and rock gardens.
Lintel
A structural horizontal block that spans the space or opening between two vertical supports. We think lintels are an attractive and practical way to span an opening.
Mantel
The cherry mantle with corbels makes this fireplace.
A shelf over a fireplace made of wood or stone. We can provide our clients with a variety of local hardwoods or stone for their mantels.
Moongate
The moongate adds visual interest to this stone wall.
A circular opening in a wall. Construction is similar to an arch.
Mortared Stonework
Grouting a mortared flagstone sidewalk.
Describes a stone structure in which the stones are bound by cement or mortar. I use this term to describe a wide variety of applications which follow.
-Stacked stone: A wall or structure in which the stones are oriented in a level, horizontal pattern.
-Drystack: A structure of stacked stone where the mortar is not visible between the stones, but supports and binds them from behind.
-Mosaic: Refers to stonework with a random orientation.
-Lightweight stonework: Stone cladding that is less than 2" thick and does not require a footing.
-Full size stonework: Refers to a mortared stone structure or wall where the stonework is at least 6" thick, and requires a concrete footing. Can be either cladding over a masonry or framed wall, or can be solid stone.
-Stacked stone: A wall or structure in which the stones are oriented in a level, horizontal pattern.
-Drystack: A structure of stacked stone where the mortar is not visible between the stones, but supports and binds them from behind.
-Mosaic: Refers to stonework with a random orientation.
-Lightweight stonework: Stone cladding that is less than 2" thick and does not require a footing.
-Full size stonework: Refers to a mortared stone structure or wall where the stonework is at least 6" thick, and requires a concrete footing. Can be either cladding over a masonry or framed wall, or can be solid stone.
Mortared stacked stone wall.
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Drystack stone fireplace
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Chocolate Grey Mosaic stonework
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Lightweight Drystack Fieldstone
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Mortar/Cement
A mix of sand, Portland Cement or Type S mortar, and water.
Mortar Joint
Stacked fieldstone walls and columns.
Refers to stonework in which mortar is visible between the stones.
Mountain Mist
Sidewalk and stacked stone walls of Mountain mist stone.
A type of quarried stone from Marion NC. (See quarried stone)
Quarried Stone
Vulcan Quarry near Boone NC
Stone that is excavated from geological formations using explosives and heavy equipment. Types that we often use come from Crab Orchard TN (available in grey, pink, and variegated), and Marion NC (chocolate grey, mountain mist, and elkstone to name just a few).
Rebar
Building a rebar grid to reinforce a footing.
Steel Rod used to reinforce Concrete or mortared stonework.
Repointing
Josh uses a hammer and chisel to remove failed mortar joints in this chimney repointing.
The process of renewing old mortar joints in a structure by removing damaged mortar and replacing it with fresh mortar.
Stepping stones
Flagstones placed in a path as a guide and to provide dry, stable footing. We often use stepping stones to improve access to a secondary or garden pathway.
The Stone Foundation
Stone Foundation member meeting in Asheville to plan the September 2012 symposium.
A society of artists, artisans, contractors, and stone enthusiasts. My membership in this organization connects me to the international community of stonemasons and brings inspiration to my work.
http://stonefoundation.org/
http://stonefoundation.org/
Stucco
My personal home is stone and stucco and basically maintenance free.
Exterior cement plaster wall covering. We often use stucco to improve the appearance of block foundations, or as siding for a home. We also use stucco as a base coat for lightweight stonework.