[4seasons]

Not starting a religious discussion here just posting some pics of a unique job that we are just finishing up.
Pic one
pour 8in concrete pad and build framing

pic 2
start laying sandstone sides up.

pic3
grotto finished

pic4
patio 99.8% done
just getting the 2008 plaque made up to finish.

this is the first time we have done any masonary work.
The grotto was built in 1932, just like it is now. Except the base was 8in wider and 1in shorter. Covered the concrete in wet lay, rest of patio is dry laid. Tried something else, mortared patio joints on dry lay 3/4 then poly sanded the rest of the way up.

[agla]

Very nice. I like the way that it does not look brand spanking new and the keysone on the top is a nice touch.

[natural12]

I am not a religious person but I got to say that looks pretty nice. The patio work is good. The grotto is nice also but I cannot see it standing the test of time. A bit flimsy.
Nice work, one can tell you spent a lot of time and energy on it.

[4seasons]

yeah I agree on the flimsy part! We built it exactly the way they did in 1932 and it actually would have kept standing they just wanted it more accessable. I think if anything gave out it would be the sides first cause the curved roof the stones are wedged. We even had to make alot of new ones because we broke some when we tore it down. Thanks for the comments.

[Mac]

nice work Bruce!

[peteg]

I like it!

[site]

You put her in the net without a stick? How is she gonna block the puck? It does look good.

[4seasons]

lol thanks everyone.

[i.e. Design]

Looks great! I'm curious though.... What type (m,s,n...) of masonary cement did you use? Sandstone tends to be a weaker stone, so type N might have been appropriate. Also a little confused about what you said about the patio joints. If the patio is essentially dry laid, mortared joints might not hold up to freeze-thaw. The attached pic was thin set onto a 5" slab we poured. As far as the grotto, as long as the foundation is good, I bet it will be around longer than any of us. Again, Awsome work.

[4seasons]

Around the grotto we covered the concrete slab with wet lay.
the dry lay patio in front i filled the joint half way with mortar, then poly sanded the rest of the way up.
We used type N mortar.
Also we used a funnel to apply the polysand, worked out really slick with minimal mess!

[i.e. Design]

I've never heard of filling dry lay joints that way. Does it just increase the strength of the poly sand, or is there another reason?

[4seasons]

this project is at a sister church of the one I go to, its in the sticks so not many people will visit this grotto. So I thought I would just try it and see what happens. If it doesn't work out( mortar coming up through the poly) then I'll just clean the joints out and do straight poly sand.

[i.e. Design]

It's a good idea. You'll have to post how it works out after a winter. Again, nice work!

[i.e. Design]

oops... didn't mean to reply twice

[Natural]

what are you trying to achieve by doing the mortar and poly sand combination??? I ask because the straight poly sand works just fine as it is in a dry laid application. Just seems to be an extra step unless I am not understanding your application