Constructed stone wall (stone blocks) vs natural smoothed wall

[Eriktion]

do dwarves care if a wall is constructed (stone blocks) or a natural stone wall that is smoothed?
Do they prefer one of those?

[Philtre]

Smoothed stone has a much higher value, and will thus make them happier. You can increase the value even more by engraving it after smoothing, which you can't do with constructed walls. Floors work similarly.

Note that the value of your walls and floors will also add to the wealth of your fortress, which will increase the risk of attacks by hostile groups.

[MirrorHall_Clay]

Originally posted by Philtre:

You can increase the value even more by engraving it after smoothing, which you can't do with constructed walls.

As of the Steam release, this is no longer exclusive to smooth walls/floors! Constructed works too now.

[Torven]

Constructed floors and walls are worth just under double that of a smoothed natural tile of the same material. It's not much for low value items like stone... A smooth stone floor is worth 4, while a constructed stone floor is worth 7... but for building with precious metals vs smoothing native ore, it can be significant

The value added from engraving is based on the material and quality, and is not affected by whether the tile was natural or constructed. It is also an added value, not a multiplier, which makes the difference between natural and constructed less significant for low value materials.... an engraved natural floor is going to be worth 14, and constructed will be 17 (24 and 27 for well crafted, etc). On the other hand, something like a brass floor tile will be worth 49, and engraving it will add 70 (140 for well crafted). If you have a skilled engraver, a few brass or billon tiles can add hundreds to a room's value.

[Rabblerouser]

To my knowledge, constructed walls have lesser value and won't contribute as much to dwarf moods/room value. Constructed walls can be engraved.

Basically, when you can, smooth natural walls.

Though in my current save, I have sooooooooooo much gold, it doesn't really even matter if I construct gold walls for nobles rooms, I think.

[Torven]

The big reason to use natural stone used to be because even the lowest quality engraving bonus was twice as valuable as a constructed (non-economic) stone floor (about 1.5x for walls), and the highest quality could push the tile value over 10x. Since we can now engrave constructions, they are more valuable, especially if you use higher value materials (a masterwork brass floor engraving will be worth 889). Basically, if you were playing pre-Steam, they just made a major change to how you want to build your rooms.

[MrGlasses]

Very important difference:
Smoother walls are harder to climb than constructed walls.