Gabion Walls
All the information to make a Beautiful Gabion Retaining Wall or Fence.
Gabion Walls
The Origins of Gabion Retaining Walls
Derived from Italian origins ‘Gabbione’ which describes a big cage, Gabion is the name given to this type of retaining wall.
Historically these gabion structures protected the banks of the river Nile and were also used as military forts in the middle ages.
The system of gabion retaining walls rely on gravity where the rocks, stone, concrete, are enclosed in a system of large wire mesh cages that hold the contents in place.
Gabion retaining walls have stood the test of time offering an attractive, efficient, and fairly low cost wall system.
Where are Gabion Walls Used?
Traditionally Gabion walls being partially flexible block walls are used to stabilise and prevent erosion of high slopes.
Most commonly seen along the side of motorways or other large construction projects.
More recently they have appeared on a smaller scale making their way into residential properties as well.
Gabion retaining walls are often used to create casual bench seating, planter beds, feature walls or even a water feature.
Some of the lower gabion retaining walls feature a timber top finish so it doubles as a bench seat or planter box.
Do you need Foundations when Constructing Gabion Walls?
Unlike other retaining walls, gabion walls do not need a concrete foundation, although for large sloping areas often the gabion width at the base is doubled as this will improve the stability of gabion retaining walls.
The Best Base for a Gabion Wall
So what is the best base or foundation for a Gabion Wall I here you ask? It is simply 100mm thick road base or crushed blue metal.
Some of the Other Benefits of Gabion Retaining Walls
- Gabion walls use natural materials that blend into the environment
- Gabion walls are well suited to Australia’s hot climate providing a passive cooling system by air movement
- Gabion walls are not affected by water damage as they are permeable
- Unlike reinforced concrete walls which are rigid, the construction of gabion retaining walls allows natural soil movement. Over time, natural soil and sediment fill in the gaps creating an even stronger, more efficient structure.
- Gabion walls can be environmentally efficient, often using the excavated material in its construction
- Sustainable into the future, the use of stone or blocks means Gabion walls are known for their longevity, stability and durability
You can Build your own Gabion Basket
If you’re a home handyman with suitable cutting tools on hand it is relatively simple to buy the galvanised mesh and spirals to assemble your own gabion basket yourself.
There are also plenty of companies who make to measure or supply ready-made gabion baskets for your convenience.
Making the Gabion Basket into a Gabion Retaining Wall
Depending on the height and purpose of your proposed gabion wall, it is recommended to check with your local council for any restrictions/permits. More info on this is on your areas page.
Now the basket is assembled, place it in the right location leaving the top open for filling.
To reduce the risk of the basket bulging, wire bracing should be affixed to the face on the inside of the basket on the longest side, attached across to the other side.
The higher the gabion wall the more important this is, as there will be more force from the rock or stone exerted on the face of the gabion basket.
Australian Standards Required to Build a Gabion Retaining Wall
Gabion retaining walls must conform to Australian Standards as follows
- AS 4678 Earth Retaining Structures
- AS 2758 Part 4 Aggregates and Rock for Engineering Purposes: Aggregate for Gabion Baskets and Wire Mattresses
You can view the standards at SAI Global or Standards Australia
There is also an International standard ASTM A974 Standard Specification for Welded Wire Fabric Gabions and Gabion Mattresses (Metallic-Coated or Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Coated)
Gabion Walls can Double as a Green Garden Wall
By including plants or succulents into the gabion rock wall, this can provide an aesthetically appealing feature wall.
Choose plants that flourish in sandy, well drained soil such as the varieties you would find in a rock garden.
Trailing succulents can create a spectacular visual effect cascading through naturally occurring gaps in Gabion walls.
Another idea is by adding a timber top to form a seat on a low Gabion Wall.
Where to find Suppliers and Installers of Gabion Walls
Enlist the services of a qualified, experienced tradeperson to design and install a Gabion Wall in your area or to just supply cages/baskets and stone. You will find them here.
If Gabion walls aren’t the wall you are looking for you will find a large selection of different types of retaining walls on our home page or at the bottom of this page.
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Gabion Wall FAQ
A gabion wall is usually a retaining wall made from wire or steel cages and filled with rocks but other material can be used. The wall relies on its bulk weight to retain a bank or slope and is often battered back for extra stability. Gabion walls are often seen on the side of roads but are becoming more common as a feature for residential areas.
Gabion walls are very simple to build and only require gabion cages made from steel or wire and rocks or stone. Concrete footings are not required making them a very simple structure.
Each Council does have some varying conditions so you should check your local councils specifications. However most councils in Australia allow walls upto 1 metre in height and 1.5 metres from a building or another retaining wall to be built without consent. This does vary state to state though and you should check with your local council.
The beauty of gabion walls and structures is that they do not need a concrete footing. For larger walls it is best to bed the cages into a foundation and sometimes use a larger cage as the base.
Generally yes they are a cheap form of retaining wall. This is why they are used in commercial areas. They do not require a footing and are easy to build.
Gabion walls are becoming a fashionable feature and are now being made into the following;
- Retaining Walls
- Fences
- Dividing walls
- Letterboxes
- Seating and bench Areas
- Steps
- Terraced Areas
- Columns and Piers
Using the correct gauge wire or steel along with using internal braces which brace one face to the other. This is most important on larger walls that create a greater force on the face of the cage.
Yes you can, this is what makes a Gabion Retaining Wall one of the cheapest types of retaining walls. Dont forget your height restrictions for council consent though which is generally 1 metre but varies in each state.