Gabion Baskets In Ferntree Gully, Victoria.

As we move into the Christmas period, a lot of you are going to have some time off.  Some of you might even decide to tackle one of the projects you have had in mind but just never got around to.  If transforming your yard into something more is a goal, then look no further than the humble gabion basket.  It can make a stunning impression.

Benefits Of Gabion Baskets

You might be interested in the benefits that gabion baskets offer and that you will ultimately receive.

• Permeability
  These baskets make fantastic retaining walls because they’re permeable and free draining – water will be able to pass through them easily without fear that the stones will be washed away. There is no way for water to build up and collect behind the wall, so you don’t have to worry about the wall becoming weak from water erosion.
• Sustainable
  In hotter climates, the Gabion Baskets can also be built to act as shade walls and provide passive cooling. This is because they allow air to move through the stacked rocks or pebbles.  You get the best of all worlds.  Privacy, security, protection from large winds, shade and air-flow.  When used close to your alfresco area, you will definitely feel cooler in summer.
• Aesthetically Pleasing
  The baskets have a natural appearance and can be used to tie your home into the landscape by using rocks and stones found on the property. The stones that you have chosen will also play a major role in the overall appearance of the wall.
• Environmentally Friendly
  The baskets help your property to work with its natural slope, which can lessen the need for extensive excavation work. As well as protecting the natural environment of your home, this will save you lots of money as excavation often proves to be expensive.  Instead of throwing rocks and stones away, use them to build something beautiful and functional on your property.
• Long Lasting
  Gabion walls are incredibly long lasting, as they’re made from steel and are designed to withstand all weather conditions. As stone is already a natural material, it will also withstand the test of time. Even growing vegetation on the wall will have no impact.  I don't think you can go to far wrong using Gabion Baskets.

Determining The Height Of A Gabion Basket Wall

N.B.  The following are some suggestions on different ways to build the gabion basket wall.  I am not an engineer, so you need to check with your local council to make sure you are following their requirements.  These are just some practices I have observed over the years.

Here are 4 common approaches to think about when determining the height of your rock retaining wall:

1.  The most common and I would say, easy way is to step your wall. Stepping your retaining wall will add stability and provide a stepped look rather than a flush look for your wall. Gabion walls with a stepped front face should have a minimum 150 mm horizontal set back for each 500 mm vertical lift.

2.  Add additional baskets to increase the depth of the wall. This increases the surface area of the base of the wall on the ground which reduces the opportunity for the wall to sway or collapse. The recommended ratio is 2 baskets high to every 1 basket deep.  So if you want a 4 basket high wall you are going to need 2 baskets deep (or side by side).

3.  You can install support posts. Support posts help add stability to your wall to also reduce the risk of collapse. They need to be strong enough to properly support the weight of the gabions and should be secured in a concrete slab underneath the basket wall. The stablisers can be threaded through the openings in the baskets to create rigidity through interlocking the baskets together. The recommended spacing between the support posts is 1 metre.

4. You can also slope your wall. Sloping your wall back into the incline of the hill will help add stability to the wall. The recommended incline is between 6 and 10 degrees. Compacting of soil under the base will be required. This is not recommended for retaining walls greater than 5 metres in height.

Do Gabion Walls Need Foundations?

Gabion basket structures, whether walls or fences, do not need a concrete foundation. However, they do need some work under the surface. As heavy as they are, they can topple over.

You have to remove the soft topsoil if there is any and some of the subsoil before replacing it with a harder base course.  i would recommend a medium gravel.

If you’re building the wall on bedrock, then you only need around 25 mm of base. Unlike many other walls, the gabion basket does not require a concrete foundation. For heavier materials (like large rocks) a double width base made from gabion baskets might be used beneath the main structure in order to improve the wall stability.  Again this base would be on top of a gravel support base.

In some cases, this is used where there is softer subsoil so that the weight of the wall is more evenly distributed across it.

Smaller, light Gabion walls don’t need thorough soil testing, but if you’re building a larger, heavier wall or fence, you should make sure you have the experts check foundation.

How Long Will Gabion Baskets Last?

The life expectancy of gabions depends on the lifespan of the wire, not on the contents of the basket. The structure will fail when the wire fails. Galvanized steel wire is most common, but PVC-coated and stainless steel wire are also used. PVC-coated galvanized gabions have been estimated to survive for 60 years.  Some gabion baskets manufacturers guarantee a structural consistency of 50 years.

It is important to note that once the basket itself loses its integrity, the wall or fence will fail.  So make sure you are building these with that thought in mind.  But that said, 50 years is a long time.  Considering how great they look and how easy it is to rebuild them in 50 years, I'd say give it a bash.

What Do We Stock?

We stock several different kinds of gabion basket Manna Gum.  Of course if we don't have it in, we can get it for you. If you would like to, you can come down to 1170 Burwood Highway, Upper Ferntree Gully, Victoria and check out the different types.  Or give us a call at Manna Gum Building And Garden Supplies on 03 9752 2434, we are always happy to chat.

Cheers,