Our Solid Masonry Outdoor Living System

Build Faster. Build Smarter. Enjoy Sooner.

How Our Solid Masonry Building System Helps You Build Better

Cornerstone is a modular solid masonry building system designed for outdoor living features. It replaces traditional mortar-set masonry with a repeatable, pre-engineered approach that’s easier to plan, easier to build, and built to last. This page explains the solid masonry building system that all of our outdoor fireplaces, kitchens, and fire features are built on.

Each component is structural, not decorative. The finish is built in, not applied later. Everything assembles cleanly with no cutting and no mortar, creating permanent outdoor structures without the complexity or unpredictability of traditional masonry work. This same system is used across fireplaces, kitchens, seat walls, and other outdoor features.

All Kits are made with SOLID masonry made in the USA

Solid Masonry Construction

The Structure Is the Finish

Each block is structural and tumbled for a natural stone look. There’s no veneer or surface layer to fail over time.

Easy for beginners- we have step by step instructions and informational videos.

No-Cut Assembly

Simply Stack & Glue

Components are pre-engineered to fit together cleanly. No cutting, no mortar, and no specialty tools required.

See how you can customize your fireplace and combine it with other kits and options to make your outdoor patio uniquely yours.

Modular By Design

Build What Fits Your Space

Modules can be combined, expanded, or adapted across different outdoor features using the same underlying system.

The Core Principles Behind the System

This system wasn’t designed to make outdoor projects look easier — it was designed to remove the reasons they usually go wrong. Most masonry-style projects fail because too many decisions are pushed to the job site. Measurements get guessed. Materials get adapted. Costs creep. Timelines stretch. The system exists to move those decisions upstream, where they can be made calmly, clearly, and once.At its core, the system is built around a few simple ideas:

  • Decisions should be made before materials arrive.
    Layouts, dimensions, and configurations are known in advance so there’s no improvising mid-build.
  • The system delivers consistent results by design.
    The components are engineered to work together so the finished result is predictable and reliable, without relying on specialized skills or on-the-fly decisions.
  • Built to work the same way every time.
    The system is designed to perform consistently across different projects, layouts, and spaces, while still allowing flexibility within a proven structure.
  • Good design reduces effort, not increases it.
    When the system is doing the heavy lifting, the build process becomes straightforward instead of stressful.

These principles guide every part of the system — from how components are designed to how projects are planned to how the final space comes together.

Plan with Confidence Before You Buy

Outdoor projects feel risky when too many decisions are left unanswered. Where does it go? Will it fit? What happens if something changes halfway through? This system is designed to remove those unknowns before you commit. Most kits hide details until after purchase. We make everything available up front so you can plan with certainty.

Every major decision can be worked through in advance. Dimensions are clearly defined. Layouts are intentional. You can see how the pieces come together long before anything shows up at your house. That clarity makes planning calmer and building far less stressful.

You don’t have to imagine how it might work — you can verify it. Footprints, heights, clearances, and configurations are all known upfront, so you’re not guessing once the project is underway. Whether you’re building it yourself or coordinating help, everyone is working from the same plan.

The result is simple: fewer surprises, fewer mid-project changes, and far more confidence that what you’re building will actually fit your space and your expectations.

Everything You Need to Plan Before You Purchase

All of these are available before purchase, so you can plan at your own pace.

Tips for starting an outdoor building project

Dimensions, Instructions & Build Videos
Download our Layout and Planning Guide PDF

Plan Your Outdoor Space with Confidence
Landscape design image.

Design Outdoor Spaces That Actually Work
Increase Home Value

Costs, Value & Smart Tradeoffs

How the System Is Built

The system is built around a simple idea: make permanent masonry structures easier to assemble without sacrificing durability or quality.

Every component is structural. There are no decorative shells, surface veneers, or hidden layers. The blocks you assemble are the finished structure, engineered to work together cleanly and consistently.

Instead of mortar-set masonry that requires cutting, mixing, and on-site judgment calls, the system uses pre-engineered components that fit together as designed. The build process is straightforward and predictable, with each step following a clear sequence.

This approach keeps the construction process focused on assembly rather than improvisation. It reduces mess, minimizes specialized tools, and allows projects to move forward efficiently without compromising the integrity of the finished structure.

The result is a solid masonry build that feels intentional, permanent, and well-executed—without the complexity normally associated with traditional masonry work.

Building an outdoor kitchen grill island

What You Can Build with the System

Because everything is built from the same core components, the system is designed to support complete outdoor living spaces, not just single features. Because every component follows the same underlying logic, different elements can stand alone or work together as part of a larger plan.


You can build individual features—like a fireplace, grill station, or seat wall—or combine multiple elements into a cohesive outdoor layout. Everything is designed to align visually, structurally, and spatially, so additions feel intentional rather than tacked on.

Solid Masonry Blocks → Building Units → Finished Features → Outdoor Spaces

Barrington outdoor fireplace with wood boxes and seat walls.

Fireplaces

Wrap around outdoor bar entertaining area with grill Island.

Outdoor Kitchens

Curbed Stone DIY wide affordable outdoor seat wall and round fire pit on patio.

Seat Walls

Complete outdoor living area with cornerstone rocks, kits.

Combined Spaces


The same system supports compact projects and larger, more involved spaces. Whether you’re starting with one feature now or planning to expand over time, the components are designed to integrate cleanly as your space evolves. This flexibility allows you to design around how you actually use your outdoor space—entertaining, cooking, gathering, or relaxing—without locking you into a single layout or one-time decision.

Who This System Is For

This system is built for people who want clarity, control, and a finished result that feels intentional—not improvised. It works especially well for:

DIY carpentry

DIY Homeowners

DIY homeowners who want a project they can plan confidently and assemble without specialized tools or masonry experience.

plan your yard design

Hybrid Builders

Hybrid builders who handle planning and assembly themselves but bring in outside professional help for site prep or utilities.

Pro Installer

Pros & Installers

Installers and landscapers who value predictable outcomes, clean installs, and systems that don’t require cutting or guesswork on-site.

This system may not be the right fit if you’re looking for a one-off, fully custom masonry build designed entirely on the fly, or if you prefer traditional mortar-set construction with field-cut stone. For everyone else, it offers a clear path from idea to finished space—without unnecessary complexity.

Why This System Exists

This system exists because outdoor projects shouldn’t feel unpredictable, expensive, or dependent on perfect conditions to succeed.
After years of designing, building, and watching projects unfold in the real world, it became clear that most problems didn’t come from effort or intention — they came from unclear plans, improvised decisions, and systems that only worked when everything went right. Too much was being figured out during the build, when it should have been resolved long before.

We Took a Different Approach

Instead of treating each project as a one-off, we focused on building a repeatable system — one that could be planned clearly, assembled confidently, and expanded over time without starting over. A system that favors structure over guesswork, clarity over improvisation, and long-term use over short-term convenience. The goal was never to only simplify the outcome. It was to simplify the path to a great outcome. That’s why the system looks the way it does, works the way it does, and stays consistent across everything built with it.

Explore the System

The same building system powers everything we make. Use the links below to explore how it’s applied across different outdoor features and project types. Once you understand the system, choosing what to build becomes simple.

Bramley TV fireplit with seat walls and wood boxes. We call it estate deluxe.

Outdoor Fireplace Kits

Solid masonry fireplaces designed to anchor outdoor living spaces.
Overhead view of stone outdoor wrap around bar and kitchen with sink.

Kitchens & Grill Stations

Modular cooking stations that integrate with fireplaces and patios.
Curbed Stone DIY wide affordable outdoor seat wall and round fire pit on patio.

Seat Walls & Fire Features

Permanent seating and fire elements to shape gathering spaces.
U-shaped outdoor kitchen featuring a pizza oven, Kamado grill, and wrap-around bar with customizable options.

Outdoor Layouts & Ideas

Real-world combinations showing how multiple features work together.
Build your fireplace in a weekend youtube video

Planning Guides & Resources

Tools, articles, and references to help you plan before you build.

Want to Take This One Step Further?

Our grill islands use the same solid masonry system—so you can add cooking without stress.

Explore Grill Island Kits
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