[fakie99]

i have a 50' long outdoor courtyard wall project coming up (2' walls and 2.5' pillars) and the client wants cultured stone vs. free-standing SRW such as unilock brussels block. i would like to set 6x6 posts and use treated plywood and 2x6 bracing to frame the thing (rather than laying up masonry block). the only difference i can see is that i'll need tar felt paper and lath on the wood prior to scratch coat.

any thoughts or tips on this method? thanks,

Jim

[AZTLANLC]

Hmm. for some reason that doesn't sound like a good idea, is the wall going to retain any soil or just free standing, at some point soil is going to be in contact with the structure and even pressure treated rots.
But maybe you are into something that nobody has tried before.

[LandArts]

It would probably work OK for a while but I just hate using wood in the landscape. What happens when it warps or rots?

BTW, nice website Jim

[PSUscaper]

to be honest, if this is a no freeze zone, I think it would be cheaper to build it out of block rather than wood by the time you add up all the materials and time you will spend trying to do something as such.

Also, I would question durability. If someone kicks a block wall, it isn't moving. If I were to kick a wood wall, it may flex and cause the veneer to crack. If there is any moving in the structure, it may also cause the veneer to crack.

Everything about it just sounds wrong. My gut tells me no.

[Lanelle]

That's the way we build for garden shows. Makes things portable.
Now for your project------as others have said---the wood will flex and the mortar won't so you'll have a cracked mess in short order. Just don't do it.

[EpicInterlock]

Eww.....ditto, my gut is actually YELLING at me saying this is a no go. Do not use wood as a framework for your stones. Just do it properly, dig at least 2' deep, either pour a concrete footing, or use a proper crushed gravel base to lay your blocks (probably cinder blocks) reinforced with rebar. Then do your cultured stone facing on the wall and pillars.

There's a reason why building a wall/pillar like that is expensive. There are so much "behind the scenes" preparation that no one ever sees or realizes.

Good luck

PS ditto on your excellent website, very professional indeed!

[fakie99]

ok, well that's pretty unanimous. thanks guys for your responses and thoughts on the subject. (and thx for the website compliments - almost 75% of our biz now comes from the web this year - hell of alot cheaper and more effective than yellow pages...)

jim