What Kind of Material Should I Use for the Base?

It’s best to use compactible aggregates ranging in size from 0.25 in to 1.5 in (6 to 38 mm) with no more than 10% fines.  Use this material in the base, within block cores, and behind the block.  Irregular shaped materials also work much better than rounded materials.  Crushed stone for example is far superior than rounded river rock.  The sizes of the aggregates should also be well graded, meaning they should have a good mixture of sizes.  This is important to ensure that the aggregates can be compacted easily and within tolerances.

Where Can I Buy Allan Block Products?

Allan Block typically is available through landscape supply dealers or building material outlets. There are stores that stock and/or supply Allan Block worldwide.  Need to find out if there is a store near you?  Check out the “Find A Store” locator on AllanBlock.com for specific contact information.

Top 5 Stair Designs

Allan Block’s retaining wall products can be used to create many different types of stair designs.  Using your imagination to create a set of steps that helps the flow of the site not only allows easy access to higher elevations, it can also be a focal piece of the landscaping.  Curved, straight or multi-level stair sections can easily be incorporated into any design.  Check out these ideas or visit allanblock.com for more great design ideas.

Multi-level walls can easily incorporate stairs, by curving into the stair location for a soft inviting look to the landscape.

Stairs can be built within or at the end of a wall using multi-level plateaus to have ease of access for taller elevations in tight spaces.

Stairs can be built along the front of a wall with long runs between steps, that will provide a smooth flowing path up very long slopes or hills.

Standard entryway stairs can be built using corners or posts for a dramatic and stylish feel to any project.

Placing stairs prior to the wall is a great option and adds additional space on the landing or raised patio as shown here.

Dublin Down – Building with Allan Block AB Courtyard

So you are building your first patio using AB Courtyard. You have prepared your base, and you are ready to start laying your first course of block. You have laid out your walls. You’ve determined the best starting point—usually a corner or post—and you started laying your first course of block. Everything is going great, until you pick up your first AB Dublin. You set it down next to an AB York and the points are angled the wrong way. You spin it around 180 degrees. It still doesn’t work! This stupid block was manufactured backwards! What gives? What sadist would make a block this way? Does Allan Block enjoy watching me suffer? Have no fear. Everything is going to be alright. There are a number of ways for you to overcome this monumental obstacle standing between you and your perfect patio. 

Option 1:The first option for getting back on track is to set another AB York in your wall. Every time you put a York into the wall the long point will alternate what side of the wall it is on. Don’t have enough room for an added York in your wall?

Option 2: Try grabbing a different AB Dublin. Two thirds of all AB Dublins are manufactured to face in one direction and the remaining third face in the other direction. The reason for this is simple. It optimizes the space needed within the mold used to produce the block. You can’t find any of the AB Dublins that are angled in the direction that you are looking for?

Option 3: A third option is to simply flip the AB Dublin that you are using upside down. Doing this will reverse the orientation of the AB Dublin, and get you back on track. We recommend doing this as your last option. The raised rings on top of the AB Dublin hold the course above in place. You should take care to use construction adhesive if the stability of your wall is a concern.

As you can see, there are a number of options for you to hurdle the challenge of a backwards AB Dublin. For more information regarding building with AB Courtyard visit the Allan Block website.