The Complete Guide to Building With Rocks & Stone: Stonework Projects and Techniques Explained Simply

by Brenda Flynn

This book is designed to walk homeowners through the process of developing, planning, and implementing a stone building project. Starting with the basics, you will learn about the common types of stone and where natural stone is found throughout the United States, as well as how to gather your own fieldstone. You will learn how to use stone as a building material, including where to acquire it, as well as how it is cut, sold, and used in various projects. You will learn what tools you need for stonework and how to start working with dry stone, how to work with mortared stone, and the correct way to pour and mix cement. This book will even teach you how your children can be involved with your stonework projects.

You will save significant money and increase the value of your house by building your own stone structures in and around your home. This book provides detailed instructions that make seemingly complex projects easy. You will learn how to build stone walls, mailboxes, and fireplaces. You can enhance your backyard with the addition of a stone patio, arch, barbeque pit, rock garden, and a pond, complete with a stone bridge.If you have an existing stone structure on your property, you will learn how to restore it and give it the face-lift it needs. If your property has a structure beyond repair, this book will help you recycle its stone or bricks.

Additionally, dozens of stonecutting experts were interviewed for this book, providing insight and experience in using stone as a building material. With The Complete Guide to Building with Rocks & Stone, you will learn how you can start using stone for everything from new projects to restoring existing stone structures. For anyone considering a stone building project, this book is an excellent resource for you.

Atlantic Publishing is a small, independent publishing company based in Ocala, Florida. Founded over twenty years ago in the company president’s garage, Atlantic Publishing has grown to become a renowned resource for non-fiction books. Today, over 450 titles are in print covering subjects such as small business, healthy living, management, finance, careers, and real estate. Atlantic Publishing prides itself on producing award winning, high-quality manuals that give readers up-to-date, pertinent information, real-world examples, and case studies with expert advice.  Every book has resources, contact information, and web sites of the products or companies discussed.

This Atlantic Publishing eBook was professionally written, edited, fact checked, proofed and designed. The print version of this book is 288 pages and you receive exactly the same content. Over the years our books have won dozens of book awards for content, cover design and interior design including the prestigious Benjamin Franklin award for excellence in publishing. We are proud of the high quality of our books and hope you will enjoy this eBook version.

288 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2010

Reviews

[Vicki Liston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the look of stone but have no idea where to start? Want to try and do the work yourself but not sure if you are up to the task? Atlantic Publishing Group has released “The Complete Guide to Building with Rocks and Stone: Stonework Projects and Techniques Explained Simply” to answer these questions and more. With the expertise of veteran stone artisan Brenda Flynn, readers can confidently begin incorporating rock into their projects.

“The Complete Guide to Building with Rocks and Stone” is a how-to guide on the use of rock in architecture and landscaping. Written with the beginner in mind, author Flynn covers the background and history of its use over time, different types of rocks, their physical properties, and what they are best used for. She also provides ample project ideas to spark her readers’ imaginations as to what they could try in their own homes.

I found the book to be extremely orderly in its organization, allowing the beginner to learn the basics but also serving as a good reference for those with previous building experience. Flynn writes in a clear and descriptive language which is imperative in an effective how-to book. I would have like to see more pictures, though; some of the projects described didn’t have a single picture while most only had one or two of the finished project and none of the actual process. Further, quite a few picture captions have the readers noting different color shades in the rock but the pictures are in black and white. A section of full color pages would have greatly added to the understanding of the author’s aim in showing the various nuances of the rocks described. I especially liked Flynn’s thoughtful addition of the legalities of collecting rocks; I would have never guessed that gathering from such places as a national park or in a river bed is illegal! She mentions this and the importance of respecting private property several times to ensure it is not missed – a responsible and admirable inclusion to her text. All in all, a fun and creative introduction into the myriad ways to use rock and stone!

--Vicki Landes, author of “Europe for the Senses – A Photographic Journal”

[Joshua Horn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't find this helpful at all. The author doesn't seem to have really worked as a mason. All the projects she gives end up being pretty repetitious without much new information.

You would be better served to read one of several other books available by people who have worked for decades as masons. I recommend Stonework: Techniques and Projects by Charles McRaven.

[Ivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the information very useful and well written. I would given more stars if this book had diagram and more photos or pictures. All of the steps and techniques are simply written out and the accompanyment of a visual representation would have greatly improved this book.