Transforming Your Yard With Stone In Victoria, BC

Nothing adds an aesthetic touch to a yard quite like stone does. Not only is it a material that is made to last but each stone and rock contains its own unique character, weaving into a tapestry of color, depth, and functionality. Here at Lennox Masonry of Victoria, BC, we specialize in taking a pile of stones and building one-of-a-kind rock walls and features for the residents and businesses throughout our community. A project that we recently completed for a local client consisted of the following steps:

Step 1: Defining A Vision

The first step we take when it comes to building masonry walls is defining what our client's vision and preferences are. From the type of stone being used, desired colors, and styles of stonework to the minute aspects of masonry such as the size of mortar joints and their preferable finish. It is both a rewarding and collaborative process which engages the imagination. And Lennox Masonry is with you every step of the way!

Step 2: Laying The Groundwork

The second step involves running string lines, laser levels, and a whole lot of digging! A decent portion of the project entails laying the groundwork and foundation of the creativity to come. Stone walls need a solid starting point in order to maintain their rigidity over the years. This is where ample drainage and a firm footer comes into play. Whether we are pouring a concrete footing or simply placing the stones in a bed of mortar, a thoroughly tampered layer of road-base is the only starting point from which to begin.

Step 3: Letting The Creativity Flow

This is not only the fun part but it's also where we excel and get to set ourselves apart from other traditional styles of stonework! We get to form a working relationship with the stone and allow it to guide aspects of the decision making process. It's hard to explain to those who haven't spent a great deal of time with stones while creating features and spaces with them, but it is similar to putting together the pieces of a puzzle. Once you have trained your brain to recognize shapes and how they fit together, you are able to look at a pile of rocks on the ground and build the wall through your eyes and mind first and foremost. In this light, stones have a tendency to convey where they should go through their native shape. It's a communicative happening between the stone mason and the rocks themselves. And it is rewarding to say the least!

For this backyard transformation in Victoria BC, we started by building a backing wall made out of reclaimed brick from a heritage chimney that we had demolished prior to the start of this masonry project. We wanted to reveal the brick wall throughout the stone walls in an effort to add depth and a touch of mystery. Within some of the cavities, we also placed small pieces of driftwood and river rocks to create additional features in the hardscaping.

The stone walls themselves consist of large pieces of sandstone which were locally quarried alongside peppered granite for the sake of adding color and contrast. The purpose of these walls was to retain the garden soil and prevent further soil erosion throughout the backyard. The stone walls are terraced and join into a stone staircase which leads to higher levels of stonework and a flagstone patio.

If you reside within the Greater Victoria area and are interested in having a professional and qualified masonry company, such as Lennox Masonry, design and build a unique outdoor living space, fireplace, or garden walls for your property, contact us today to discover how we can transform your yard!

Lennox Masonry of Victoria, BC has been proudly serving both Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands for over a decade. We are small group of skilled masons with a great deal of passion towards our trade and for improving the communities we live and work in. We extend our gratitude to the lək̓ʷəŋən people for allowing us to share and work on this corner of the garden with them. We are thankful for the residents and businesses of Victoria, BC for supporting us in our endeavors!

If you’re in need of a professional and reliable masonry company for your next project, please contact us today!