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.