Build a stone arch in single span, double span and through. Learn how to build a stone arch and masonry tips for successful completion of stone architecture projects. Included on this page are instructions for foundation building, mortar mixing and laying the first stones.
Stone arches have been used for thousands of years. They are beautiful structures that can add value to your home and help it stand out from the rest. If you’re looking for an arch but aren’t sure how to build a stone arch or if you’re just interested in what you’ll need to make this happen, some online research will help you understand the process.
The purpose of this article is to explain how to build a stone arch without mortar.
The key to building a stone arch without mortar is the use of wedges. The wedges that are used in this article are made from wood, but you can also use stone blocks. The main advantage of using wood is that it is easier to cut, and it can be used for cutting curves.
The first step in building your stone arch is to draw your shape on paper. You need to know the size of your arch and the length of each side. Once you have this information, you can begin to mark out your design on the ground with string or rope.
Once you have marked out your design on the ground, it’s time to start digging out the area where the stones will go. You want a flat surface so that your stones will fit together correctly when they are placed on top of each other.
🛠️ What This Is About
When you dig out an area to build—say, for a wall, fence, slab—you’ve got to clear all the dirt from inside your shape. Leaving any behind can cause settling, uneven foundation, or trouble later on.
🧱 How Digging Prep Works
- Clear vegetation and topsoil 4–6 inches down before digging .
- Ensure your excavation is flat and even for solid support—avoiding uneven digging prevents things like cracks and settling .
- Grade the site so water flows away from your build (minimum 1″ drop per foot).
- Proper compaction matters—soil must be firm and free of soft spots.
đź“‹ Materials or Tools Needed
- Excavator or shovel
- Plate compactor
- Gravel or clean fill
- Stakes, grade level, string line
- Drainage material (like gravel or swales)
⚙️ Step‑by‑Step Instructions
- Mark the area with stakes and string, check corners/squares.
- Strip topsoil and remove roots, debris—it all causes trouble later.
- Dig to spec: follow depth plans, avoid over‑ or under‑digging.
- Compact soil in layers, dampen soil as you go.
- Grade slopes outward, especially important if you’re in rainy spots.
- Back‑fill/gravel base for drainage, then compact again.
- Re‑check level, moisture, compaction before building starts.
âś… Pros and Cons of Doing It Right
| ✅ Pros | ⚠️ Cons of Skipping It |
|---|---|
| Stable foundation | Settlement & cracking |
| Good drainage | Water pooling, frost issues |
| Predictable build | Extra costs to fix errors |
| Saves money long‑term | Frost heave or shifting |
🧱 How Stone Arches Work
Stone arches add charm to gardens and homes. They work by transferring weight down and out—so alignment and support are key.
đź“‹ Materials or Tools Needed
- Arch stones (wedge‑shaped work best)
- Mortar (Portland for outdoors, lime indoors)
- Wooden formwork (to build arch shape)
- Tamping tools, wire mesh (optional for dry stack)
⚙️ How to Build with Mortar
- Set sturdy formwork to shape arch.
- Lay mortar for support and alignment.
- Stack stones tightly, working symmetrically.
- Keep joints snug—tight joints = stronger arch.
- Remove formwork once mortar sets.
⚙️ How to Build Dry‑Stacked (Mortarless)
- “More care must be taken when laying the stones … especially true for the arch”.
- Use tight stone joints for friction—choose rough‑faced stones for grip.
- Fill gaps with chips/shims at the top—don’t leave bottom gaps or chips will fall out .
âś… Pros and Cons
- Mortared arch: easier, strong, good for most builds.
- Dry‑stack arch: rustic look, no mortar, cheaper—but needs serious stacking skill.
đź’ˇ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Leaving dirt inside your dig area.
- Poor grading > water damage later.
- Irregular compaction > settling/foundation cracks.
- Bad drainage design > erosion or flooding.
- Using smooth stones for arch > poor friction.
đź‘· Who Should Use This
- Homeowners building retaining walls, patios, sheds, arches.
- DIYers wanting a durable, attractive result.
- Anyone prepping for foundation or stonework.
🧰 Expert Tips
- Always remove all dirt from shape—use a shovel to clean edges.
- Compact in layers, don’t rush.
- For dry arches, choose rough textured, wedge‑type stones; test fit before you stack .
- If using mortar, use lime indoors and Portland outdoors.
đź“Ś Quick Facts
- Grade slope away: 1″ drop per foot.
- Topsoil should be stripped 4–6 in. deep .
- Even excavation supports foundation avoiding cracks & settling .
- Dry stack arch lifespan depends on tight fit and friction.
đź“Š Visual Checklist
- Site cleared 4–6″, all debris removed
- Area marked, square, and measured
- Excavated to correct depth, no over‑dig
- Soil compacted in layers
- Site graded away from structure
- Stones chosen suitable for arch type
- Mortar or shims used correctly
- Formwork aligned, staging clean
Get the prep and stones right, and your build—foundation or arch—will stand strong for years.
If you want to build your own stone arch without mortar, we have several tips that will help you get started:
Use rocks that are already part of your property or landscape design
Look around your property for rocks that could work as part of your stone arch project and see if they need any additional support by attaching them together with wire mesh or chicken wire. If they do not need any additional support then they should be fine on their own. You can also use rocks found outside in nature as long as they are strong enough to support themselves once placed in position and won’t fall over easily during construction or after completion.
🛠️ What This Is About
When you dig out an area to build—say, for a wall, fence, slab—you’ve got to clear all the dirt from inside your shape. Leaving any behind can cause settling, uneven foundation, or trouble later on.
To build an arch with mortar, first you have to make the formwork. You can use a wooden frame or several lengths of wood that are joined together by nails. If you use wooden formwork, it is advisable to cover it with plastic film, as this will prevent water from entering the structure and cause cracking.
Next we need to prepare the foundation for our arch. It is advisable to dig out a trench in which we will lay our foundation blocks. The width of this trench must be at least twice as wide as the width of our arch. The depth should be sufficient to allow us to place two blocks side by side without them touching each other.
| Step Number | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prepare the Foundation | Ensure the area is level and stable before starting. |
| 2 | Form Upside Down U Shape | Place two blocks side by side to create an upside-down U, with the opening facing upwards. |
| 3 | Add Flat Blocks | Take another two blocks and place them across the first two to form a bridge shape. |
| 4 | Continue Building | Repeat the process by adding layers until reaching desired height and width. |
| 5 | Ensure Height for Support | Build the arch higher than needed for additional support. |
| 6 | Fill Gaps with Mortar | Apply mortar to fill any gaps between the bricks to ensure stability. |
Stone arches are beautiful and timeless, but building one can be a challenge. The key to success is to build the arch in sections that can be held in place with scaffolding until you’re ready for the next step.
Stone arches are built from stone blocks that weigh up to several tons each. The blocks are usually cut from quarried rock and mortared together to form the arch. When the mortar dries, it creates a strong bond between the stones so that they don’t slip out of position during construction or over time due to shifting soil conditions or other factors.
To build an arch, you need sturdy wood scaffolding so you can work on top of the wall. You’ll also need a level and chalk line to ensure that each block is level with its neighbors before it’s mortared into place. You’ll want help when placing each block because they’re heavy and awkward to handle on your own.
How to Build a Stone Arch Without Mortar
Building an arch without mortar is a skill that takes some time to master, but it can be done with just a few tools and some practice. If you want to build an arch without mortar, you’ll need:
String. The string will help you determine the radius of your arch so that you can cut your pieces of wood appropriately.
Saw. You’ll need this to cut the wood for your arch project.
Hammer or mallet. You’ll use this to pound the stakes into place at each end of your arch frame.
Stakes or wooden pegs. These should be about six inches long and sharp enough to penetrate into the ground easily (and stay there).
Stone arches are a great way to add character and interest to your home. They can be used as entrances or as decorative elements. The best part is that you don’t have to be an expert mason to build one! In this article, we’ll show you how to build a stone arch without mortar or cement.
Stone archways are made from rocks of varying sizes and shapes. With some imagination and creativity, you can create any shape that suits your needs. Here are some ideas for building different types of arches:
A doorway archway – This type of archway is a common choice for entrances into homes or businesses because it provides both privacy and security for those inside. If you want a less expensive option than installing an automatic door, consider adding a manual door instead. This will allow you to control who enters and exits at any given time, which may come in handy if there are children or pets in the house at night when everyone’s asleep!
A garden archway – Garden arches are perfect if you have a small garden space but still want it to look bigger than it really is! They’re also great if there’s no room for pathways through the garden because they help create visual interest without taking up much
Stone arches are beautiful pieces of architecture that can be used to build garden walls, entryways and even bridges. These structures are built using individual stones cut to fit together in an arch shape. While building a stone arch by hand can be time consuming, it is possible to build one with mortar if you have access to the right materials and tools.
Mortar comes in two types: hydraulic and masonry. Hydraulic mortar is made from cement and water, while masonry mortar is made from sand, cement and water. Both types of mortar will harden over time if left exposed to the elements. The type of mortar you choose for your project will depend on its intended use as well as personal preference.
Step 1 – Prepare Your Work Area
Before starting construction on your stone arch, make sure you have everything ready so that you don’t waste any time during construction or run into problems later on because you forgot something important along the way. Here’s what you’ll need:
Building an arch is a great project to do with your kids or students. It’s also a great way to recycle old bricks and stones.
If you’re building an arched doorway or gateway, it can be made from a single stone or you can build it up by layering multiple stones on top of one another.
In this article, we’ll show you how to build an arched doorway without mortar with five easy steps:
Step 1: Pick Your Stone
The first step is picking out the right stone for your project. You want something that’s sturdy enough to support itself and anything else that might be placed on top of it, so choose accordingly!
Step 2: Mark Out Your Lines
Once you’ve picked out a good-sized rock for your archway, grab some chalk and draw two lines across it — one horizontal line from left to right and one vertical line from bottom to top. These will be the lines along which your two halves of the arch will fit together when you’re done building it. Make sure these lines are straight using a ruler if necessary before continuing!
Stone arches are a classic architectural feature, with their curves and elegant simplicity. They can be used as standalone features, or as part of a larger structure.
Stone arches are easy to build, but require the right materials and tools. You’ll need to know how to lay out your arch so that it’s structurally sound, then use mortar to hold the stones together.
Once you’ve laid out your arch, it’s time to start building! First you’ll need to make sure everything is level and straight. Then you’ll set up a formwork that creates the curve in your arch.
When this is done, you’re ready for some hardcore masonry work: placing each stone in place using mortar. This will take time and patience, but once it’s done your masterpiece will be complete!