DIY Faux Rock Wall: Our 16-Foot Pandemic Project
When COVID lockdown hit, both my husband and I were laid off. To pass the time (and keep from going stir crazy), we decided to dive into a wild home improvement project. I’ve always wanted a castle vibe in my home—so we built a DIY faux rock wall that stretches two stories high up our stairwell.
Why a Faux Rock Wall?
Because we’re weird. And creative. And bored. But also? Because we found lightweight faux stone siding that looks incredibly real and doesn’t cost a fortune.
The material is foam-based, which made it light enough to handle on a ladder without needing a full construction crew. We found it at Home Depot (link below)—they came in panels that could be trimmed to size with a regular saw.
The DIY Process (And a Lot of Laughing)
We measured the wall and laid out the panels to plan the fit. Some had to be trimmed. We used a construction adhesive tube in a squeeze gun (hubby had to do it—it was tough!). Once the panel was coated with glue, we pressed it to the wall and secured it with a few screws for extra support.
I was a nervous wreck watching him climb a 16-foot ladder—especially since he’s afraid of heights. But it worked. It stuck. And it looked legit.
What We Learned
- Faux rock looks fancy, but it’s actually super DIY-able.
- The glue gun for construction adhesive is not for the weak-wristed.
- Don’t start at the top when you’re building something that stacks.
- Always have margaritas ready for when it’s done.
Would We Do It Again?
Heck yes. It turned into a gateway project—we ended up doing more DIY after this. The whole thing brought us joy, and the wall still makes people say “Whoa!” when they walk in.
If you like chaotic home projects with a side of laughter, check out my next post: DIY or Die Trying – Coming Soon
