Stacking

• Canyon rocks can be stacked to form a wall or other free standing structure. Footers are necessary for these types of projects, which are constructed from either cement or crushed stone. Regardless of the type of footer, it must be at least 12 inches deep and double the wall thickness. For example, if your wall is 16 inches wide, then make the footer 32 inches wide. When stacking the stones, try and stack them like you would a puzzle. Choose sizes and shapes that fit snugly together. Use type N mortar mix to bond the wall together. Placing a small amount toward the center of the stones--so that the mortar doesn't squeeze out--will give the wall a dry stacked look. Making the bottom of the stone wall--not to be confused with the footer--slightly larger than the top will help give the wall more structure stability--taper the wall in from the bottom, but not enough so that it will be noticeable.
  
  

Patios and walkways

• Construct patios and walkways from canyon stones that are as flat as possible. When laying the project, use crushed stone and sand as a base. This will give more leeway for stone adjustment than will a concrete base. You can also use bagged concrete, however, and set the stones in the dry powder, wetting them after the stones have been set. Using a rubber mallet to tap the stones into place will help with the installation. Although you will not be able to lay the stones perfectly level on the walkway or patio surface--because of the rough and rigid texture of the stones--you will be able to keep them fairly level using a four-foot level. Filling the joints between the stones with sand will help make the surface more uniform. Sealing the finished surface with concrete sealer will help preserve your work.