How to Build an Artificial Rock Fence

Mark the outside perimeter of the fence line close to the ground with cord and 5-foot wood stakes driven 1 foot into the ground. Place a carpenter’s level against the side of the stakes to make certain they are straight up and down. Place another length of cord strung at the top of the wood stakes to act as a guide to keep the fence straight as you build it upwards.

Level the strip of ground to the width of the artificial stone along the designated fence line with a shovel and measured with a 3-foot long carpenter’s level.

Mix dry mortar mix specifically intended for stone or masonry work strictly according to the manufacturer's directions. The mortar must be thick enough that it does not drip from the trowel during application.

Lay the first stone to form the foundation for the fence at the start of the fence line. Trowel mortar on the end of that stone and the opposing end of the next one. Lay the stones end-to-end and move them enough to set them together with approximately 1 inch of mortar between them. Trowel off and return to the mortar bucket the mortar that oozes between the stones.

Continue the same process of setting the first row of foundation stones around the perimeter of the fence line with the mortar.

Return to the starting point and trowel a layer of mortar on top of the first stone. Layer mortar on the bottom of another stone that is half the size of the first. Lay it on top of the first stone so that it covers only one-half the length of the foundation stone. Rock the stone until it sets evenly on top of the bottom stone. Starting off with the smaller stone ensures that as you lay the next stones in line, they will overlap the seam between the two stones under them. Begin with a full size stone on the next layer and then start again with the smaller stone on the layer after that. Staggering the stones over each other results in a more attractive and stronger fence.

Build the fence to the height desired while placing a carpenter’s level against it every three to four stones to make certain it is level horizontally and vertically. The mortar must set for 24 to 48 hours before pressure is placed on the fence or against it.