Building an Allan Block Wall? Where do I Start?

Before you start your first Allan Block project, you are probably like me and have tried to think through everything, so you don’t have any surprises along the way.  “How much block do I need?” is always the first question, right?  Well, there are a lot more.  “How much grid do I need?  How am I going to dig the required dirt out, and move the rock from my driveway in the front around to the back?  Where do I rent a Bobcat?  Do I have a friend that owns one?  Oh man there’s a lot to think about and to plan for…”

The very best resource for you will be Allan Block’s website (www.allanblock.com).  At the home page, click on the Homeowner or contractor button at the top, and the following pages will provide you everything you need.  At your fingertips, you have access to our products, catalogs, installation, estimating, project ideas and more.  Try out the Photo and Video Gallery for some incredible ideas.

Your local Allan Block dealer is also a great place to go. Simply go to the Find a Store page at the top of any page and input your Zip or postal code.

After you’ve done your research, you will be well prepared to start digging! 

How to Design a Fence/Railing Above a Retaining Wall.

Depending on the application and location of the fence/rail, it may affect the retaining wall design with forces at the top of the wall that could cause it to roll over (overturning). Allan Block has created a Fences Above Retaining Walls Tech sheet that covers the different location and installation options.

One way to account for the overturning forces is to use a product called Sleeve-It by Strata that will reroute the forces away from the wall. 

  

How to Prevent Retaining Wall Failure - What do I Need to Know?

Water

Water can be the most destructive element to a retaining wall. Pressure is dramatically increased when water is allowed to saturate the soil or backfill. Wet soil is heavier and loses its cohesion, which adds pressure to the wall. 

To prevent water saturation drainage pathways are added to the site, as well as to the retaining wall to channel water away. These features are one of the most critical steps in designing a wall that will last a lifetime.

Unanticipated Loads

The pressures that are applied to the retaining walls increase as external loads are added on top of the wall. When unanticipated loads are added to a wall structure—such as a truck delivering landscape supplies, or a new structure is added on top of an existing wall—the loads increase.  Even building a retaining wall with the wrong sized compaction equipment can over-stress a wall. When designing a wall, anticipate and design for future requirements that may affect its performance.

Foundation Issues

Just like any building project, the foundation must be strong enough to hold the structure. In some cases, removing poor soils will be required before building. In all cases, proper compaction of the foundation soil is required. When excavating on-site soils, be careful to not over excavate. Any soil that is disturbed or not for a foundation, we recommend compaction. Sometimes, you may encounter a previously excavated area that will need to be properly compacted before construction can begin.

Substandard Construction

Many contractors are looking for short cuts that may save them some time and money. Don’t be surprised that in most cases, you get what you pay for. It’s always a good idea to review our website www.allanblock.com so that you can make sure the contractor follows the proper building steps. Look for a certified Allan Block contractor that has the training and experience to build walls correctly the first time.

What are Some Good Layout Ideas for Retaining Walls?

Your front and back yards are extensions of your home, and often leave a lasting impression.  All the more reason to invest a little extra time and effort into designing them into something worth remembering.

A retaining wall in a garden can be for a fundamental or architectural reason, or just a landscape feature.  When you add walls in your gardens, they will look better as a result.  Gardening is a passion for many home owners and expressing their creativity brings lasting satisfaction.  Here are some great layout ideas that will make some outstanding impressions.

Express yourself with Terracing 

If you have rolling hills or slopes in your yard, terraced retaining walls might just be your best friend.  Create more usable space by terracing in your gardens.  This will tame tall slopes and add aesthetic beauty.  Choose an Allan Block Collection that best suits the look and feel of your home and yard.  Enjoy not bending over so far by raising your plantings.  Transform your landscapes into dynamic works of art.

Create a Variety of shapes and sizes

One of the most common mistakes in designing your yard is the lack of variety.  In nature, we see plants and trees that grow naturally in their variety.   A good layout uses walls that vary in size and meander to organize a space.  The same is true with plantings.  Having plantings in mind can modify how you want your walls to look and how to utilize the space created by them. Choose a variety of plants that grow and mature well together. Organize them as a painter brings order to their paintings.  Avoid planting in rows, keep it natural.  Enjoy expressing your creativity with plants and walls.

Contrast is another design tool

Have you noticed that everything tends to look much better as the sun begins to set?  The sun highlights some spots and darkens others as the intensity decreases as it sets.  Contrast is a key to transforming your landscape.  Consider adding a contrasting color to the cap, or just under the cap, of your retaining walls.  Consider plants that contrast each other as the seasons change.  Use contrasting mulch that highlights your planting and walls.

With these endless possibilities in mind, your yard can be transformed into your own personal oasis. Check out our Design Ideas for further inspiration!

How do I Extend the Wall Above Grade for a Parapet/Fence?

Very often a retaining wall gets extended to create a seating wall or a short privacy fence.  This can be done in several ways, and some of it will depend on the application or product you are selecting.  I do want to clarify that any fences above the wall will require additional engineering, since you must account for the wind pressure that will be applied.  However, I want to focus on different applications here.

·       We have extended the retaining wall and built a second wall on the back side to create a back-to-back application.  This has been used more on commercial applications, since it is easy to reinforce this parapet for structural concerns.  However, it does take up a little more space. 

·       Another option is to cap your Allan Block retaining wall and then install the AB Courtyard above.  With similar textures and colors, this is a seamless transition.

·       The AB Fieldstone is a two-piece system that allows the user to change the type of anchoring unit and use the same facing elements to build both the retaining wall and the parapet.  This creates a very aesthetically pleasing option and should be considered since the system was designed for this application.  There is a complete section for parapet construction on our website.

·       The last option breaks away from the retaining walls since we are actually using the AB Fence to construct the wall and the fence.  If you are considering a true fence application, this might be the solution for you. With this type of application, engineering would be required to ensure the fence is installed properly as a retaining wall.