Gabion Wall Specifications

Description

• A standard gabion wall consists of numerous individual metal wire baskets, or cages, joined together by wire ties to form a unified structure. You can build a single level of baskets or stack baskets on top of each other for a taller wall. The size of the baskets and the rocks varies according to the builder's needs. In some cases, crushed stone is used in place of rocks. You can place the walls vertical to the ground or leaning inward.

Basket Assembly

• Gabion sections come from the distributor in flat panels that you need to assemble to create the upright square or rectangular basket. Proper installation of the lacing wire or helicals that connect the gabion baskets together helps ensure the soundness of the wall. You can usually install helicals, twisted rigid wire fasteners, more quickly than lacing wire. After connecting the basket panels, you connect the baskets to each other with the helical or lacing wire as well.

Filling

• Fill the cells of the gabion baskets with rocks or other materials by hand or machine. Keeping the filler material compact avoids unsightly bulges. Each adjoining gabion should contain a similar amount of rocks. A container should not have a rock level 12 inches higher or lower than an adjoining basket. Rocks in the front portion or exposed part of the gabion should have a uniform appearance if possible.

Landscaping

• Although often used for large construction projects, such as preventing erosion along banks, gabion walls also find use in landscaping where the need to restrain large amounts of earth does not exist. Some homeowners value the aesthetic appeal of gabion walls and incorporate them into their gardens. You can get creative when using a gabion wall for landscaping by filling it with visually interesting materials, such as wine bottles or wooden timbers.