Limestone Blocks are an increasingly popular choice for garden and retaining walls. They’re strong, look great, come in a wide variety of sizes, can offer privacy, cut glare, offer wind and shade protection and can create an attractive focal point as well as a functional structure. They’re also readily available and easy to work with. But when it comes to choosing to use limestone blocks, you have two choices – natural or reconstituted. Which is the better choice?

Natural Limestone Blocks

Natural limestone blocks are blocks of different sizes, cut straight from the ground in a limestone quarry. Being 100% natural, they have the most aesthetically pleasing finish and a desirable, natural texture. However, natural limestone is a softer type of stone and when exposed to the weather, can discolour and wear down over time. It is also not as strong or heavy as its reconstituted counterpart, and is often more expensive due to cracked or crushed blocks causing more waste and expenses.

Reconstituted Limestone Blocks

Reconstituted limestone blocks are made by mixing crushed limestone with cement and then moulding into different sized blocks. The added concrete means these blocks are heavier and stronger than natural limestone. These blocks won’t discolour with age and have the option of adding colour pigments to create different finishes. Reconstituted blocks can also be moulded with different features, such as beveled edging. Since these blocks are made using crushed limestone, there is no waste, which in turn makes the price cheaper.

Based on the differences listed above, the choice between using natural or reconstituted blocks will come down to budget and the suitability of each product for each individual project. For example, reconstituted is a more popular choice for retaining soil, but natural blocks are more popular for a sheltered feature wall. Personal preference plays a big part, but both are a great choice for your next garden project.