Pebble foundation sample

March 16, 2015
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I usually use egg carton brick for foundations and stonework can easily be done with the same material, but I wanted to give a real stone foundation a try since I wanted a different sort of look that only 3D pebbles will give. :] So, I bought some aquarium gravel.

I'm a big fan of test samples just in case it's not the look I wanted or has unforeseen disastrous results. I can also test out further finishes on my sample as I go instead of risking the work already put into a build.

I took a piece of scrap wood and spread some leftover stucco patch (from Home Depot) that was used for Walnut Bay Light in a 3/16" thick layer. I did two tests: one with an added brushed-on thin coat of Weldbond and one without. I wanted to see if the glue was needed for secure adhesion.

I pressed the pebbles in place. I used my putty knife to tidy up the edges. I'm already thinking the glue won't be needed and, if anything, it will make it more difficult to age the grout. I can probably get away with a thinner coat of stucco as well.

It has a nice look dry...we shall see how it ends up.