Armour stone retaining walls in Fredericton use large blocks of quarried limestone or granite, each weighing hundreds of kilograms or more, stacked by excavator to hold back slopes on residential and rural lots. This page explains where armour stone works best, how we set it to handle frost and clay, what affects the cost, and how to get a free estimate.
When is armour stone the right choice for a retaining wall?
Armour stone is the right choice for a retaining wall when you want a natural look, have room for wide stones and an excavator, and need a wall that relies on sheer weight rather than reinforcement. It suits backyard slopes, hillside lots in Fredericton's north and south ends, cottage properties along the river, and long walls bordering lawns and gardens.
Because each stone is so heavy, a two- or three-course armour stone wall can hold a substantial bank with little or no geogrid. The trade-off is space: the stones are deep, so the wall takes more of the yard than a block wall of the same height, and the site needs access for a machine.
How do we set armour stone so it stays put through Fredericton winters?
We set armour stone on a trench excavated to firm ground and filled with compacted crushed stone, with the first course partly buried so frost and erosion cannot work underneath it. Each course is set back slightly into the slope, and stones are chosen and turned so they bear evenly on the ones below rather than rocking on a single point.
Behind the wall we place clean drainage stone and, where the soil is wet clay, a perforated pipe that carries water to daylight. Filter fabric keeps silt out of that stone. Skipping the base or the drainage is what lets armour stone walls tip forward after a few freeze–thaw seasons, even though the stones themselves never wear out.
How much does an armour stone retaining wall cost in Fredericton?
The cost of an armour stone retaining wall in Fredericton depends on the wall's length and height, the size and type of stone, how far the stone has to travel, and how easily an excavator can reach the site. Taller walls need larger stones and more courses, and each extra course adds stone, base material and machine time.
Other factors include removing an old wall, hauling away clay, adding steps or planting pockets, and protecting lawns or driveways along the access route. Your free written estimate breaks those parts out so you can compare, for example, one taller wall against two shorter terraced walls.
What is the difference between armour stone and natural fieldstone?
Armour stone is quarried in large, roughly rectangular blocks with flat beds, while fieldstone is rounder stone gathered from fields and riverbeds. Flat beds let armour stone stack tightly and carry load, which is why it is used for structural walls; fieldstone works well for low garden borders and dry-laid accents but is less stable when stacked high.
Many Fredericton properties combine the two: an armour stone wall holds the slope, and smaller natural stone is used for steps, edging and planting beds above it. Our natural stone page covers the smaller, more detailed walls.
Can armour stone be used for steps and terraces?
Armour stone can be used for steps and terraces, and it is one of the most durable materials for both. Wide stones cut or chosen with flat tops make solid steps that frost will not shift when they are set on a compacted base, and stepped walls of armour stone can break a steep bank into usable levels.
If your slope is too tall for one wall, see our terraced retaining walls page for how tiers are spaced and drained. For walls along the river, our riverbank page explains the permit and erosion questions that come first.
Common questions about Armour Stone Retaining Walls in Fredericton
Will armour stone settle over time?
Properly set armour stone on a compacted base with drainage behind it stays where it is placed. Settlement usually comes from stone set directly on soil or from water trapped behind the wall.
What does an armour stone wall cost per metre?
There is no single rate, because stone size, height, access and excavation vary from site to site. We give a free, itemized written estimate after seeing your slope.
Do you need machine access to my backyard?
Usually yes. Armour stone is set with an excavator, so we look at gates, side yards and driveways during the site visit and plan a route that protects your property.
Plan your retaining wall with a free estimate
Call 1 (506) 305-7444 or send the form with your address and a few photos. Every estimate is free, written and itemized.