Thinking about building a place using some 8x16 cut granite blocks. I am not sure of really whats best to stack them dry or with some type of mortar I want to go up 2 stories anyone got any Ideas? 1st floor may be poured walls then faced with the granite? Just not sure and I am looking for options and Ideas. Please shout out your thoughts.. Oh and Hello Glad to have found this site and to be aboard. Already found lots of info just not on this subject directly.. Thanks in advance Folks

Hau, Gary, welcome to permies, glad to have you aboard. Building with granite can be fun. If you are going to dry stack to a two story height you would want to have the blocks keyed together both on the course and between courses (think of Inca buildings). If you decide to use mortar then I would again key them together but I would use pins in holes for that method, it will keep every thing on track. If you decide to do a pour and face block then you would want to use the ties just like they do in brick face construction. The whole idea is to keep the blocks/ bricks where you want them and to anchor them to the wall they are facing out.

In medieval times the stone work of castles was erected using keys, either metal pieces or part of the actual stones. This is so the blocks would stay where the mason wanted them to be, same thinking is valid today.

Hi Gary,
I would suggest one of the fine books by Ian Cramb to use as a reference for this and any similar projects. He has many traditional recipes and methods for achieving your building goals.