All you need to know about Armour Stones and benefits

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Armour stones are beautiful stones that can be used for any landscape project, building retaining walls, decorating your borders around garden, fountains, walkways, edging of pools, pathways or for free standing walls.

Armour stones can offer a classic look to your landscape. They have been used for centuries as barriers against the ravages water on the sea shores and rivers. Armour stones were supposed to act as armour for the shore by being a protection for rise and fall of the tides. Today they are used as an ideal decorative material for landscapes.

Armour stones are unique in shape and size so they make excellent walls. They are made up of common limestone or granite and are available in various colors and designs. Typically they are limestone grey but the stone can be varied in color and size.

There are a number of benefits of using these stones in your landscape project :

• They have a solid construction which helps in building walls as these stones fit together easily and there is no danger of stone breaking.

• They have a low maintenance as they have the ability to withstand harsh elements and have adequate strength. The weather actually improves the overall look of the stone.

• They add a rich look to your landscape. Since no two stones are similar it gives a great complement to your landscape.

• They can be placed anywhere in your lawn to create a natural look.

• They can be used for flower beds as they look natural.

• They can be used for water fountains which creates an impressive look.
  
  

There are number of steps that your contractor will be doing to build a retaining wall with the use of armour stone:

• Survey the area of the yard where you want to build a retaining wall.

• Checking the availability of basic materials which are required such as the stones, landscaping fabric and 2 inch gravel base before beginning to build the wall.

• Determine the desired height of the wall and finding out the number of stones which are required.

• Digging a trench which is twice the width and depth for foundation of the armour stones.

• Finding a particular position for landscaping fabric. It ensures that the plants and weeds do not grow under the wall.

• Placing a gravel base about 2 inch deep which will depend upon the height of the wall. A compact device is used to level out the surface of the gravel.

• The armour stones are placed on top of each other in order to create a stable step which cannot be susceptible to dislodgement.

The purpose behind creating a retaining wall is to build varying levels of height for the yard.

Armour stone is an affordable option to add a dramatic touch for your landscape. It is best to use them for projects which are large and spacious.