Rockwork
Evaluation |
This
is a small sampling of rockwork and serves only to give a subjective
evaluation of quality. Rockwork quality can be evaluated by how
much "chinking" is used. Chinking is the small rock that
is used as filler between rock joints. Tightly fitting rock is a
sign of good craftsmanship. The uniformity of rock size and the
proportional size relationship of each rock to another is a good
gauge of rockwork. Many times the mortar color is neglected. Gray
mortar with various rock color can look less than pleasing. It is
very easy to add some color to the mortar during mixing. Recessed
mortar joints can give the rockwork a natural appearance as if the
rock was carefully stacked.
See rockwork installation diagram.
The Upper sample represent good work and the lower samples represent
shoddy craftsmanship. |
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This
is very high quality rockwork. The rock are
carefully placed with a minimum amount of
chinking. The mortar is recessed and the stones look naturally stacked.
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This
is a fine example of very tight and clean craftsmanship. The joints
are very tight. You can hardly see the mortar in the joints. |
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There
is a bit more chinking in this rockwork. The redeeming quality of
this work is the nice blend of small and medium sized rock. This
work also has clean mortar joints. |
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The
rockwork here has a nice proportionality. The mortar joints are
more exposed and the mason did not color the mortar. The uncolored
mortar seems to match with the color of the rock. This would have
been excellent work if mortar joints were set back a little more.
The rock coloring is a bit off for my taste
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This
is very nice work. The stone is well fitted. Everything is plumb,
the color assortment works. I would like to see larger rock on the
wing wall section. |
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This
is lovely work. The flagstone is put together like a jigsaw puzzle.
The flow of the rock is superb. The perfectionism is obvious throughout. |
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This
is rockwork at first glance looks good. After looking at it for
a few seconds you start to see lots of chinking. The rock has a
random pattern that feels disorienting. |
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This
is what I consider a perfect example of rockwork. You can see that
a true artist did this. The fitting is tight, the flow eloquent,
and the rock size mix is harmonious. |
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This
rockwork falls into the bad bordering on the terrible category.
The column cap is not plumb as well as some of the column. The rock
placement does not have much definition. |
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A
sample of terrible work. I do not need to comment any further on
this sample. |
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This work
is medium grade. It has small amount of chinking and tight joints,
but somehow does not inspire. It appears to me that the rocks are
too small for the size of the column and the type of rock used.
The top is not plumb. |
More terrible work,
Rocks are disproportional in size and placement. There is a lot
of chinking to fill in the voids. The mortar is uneven and slopping
over many of the rocks and the column is not plumb. |
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