Gabion Baskets

What is a Gabion Wall?

A Gabion basket is a wire container filled with different sorts of inorganic materials. Its name comes from Italian, literally meaning the "cage." Gabions can form flexible, pervious structures that work well in stabilising the soil, but can also provide aesthetic value. 

Gabion cages often feature a modern industrial look, yet they have been used in different forms throughout history. While the original cages were wicker, now it's mostly a welded mesh made of strong galvanised or stainless steel wire. The purposes of gabion walls are many, including supporting an earth wall, stabilising the soil, preventing erosion, and more.

Advantages of Gabion Wall

• Versatility: Gabion walls allow creative freedom with plenty of customisation opportunities. The final result is typically aesthetically pleasing, authentic and prevalently natural. 
• Durability.
• Ease of installation & low maintenance.
• Resistance to soil movement.
• Adaptability: Gabion walls are suitable for diverse settings, including challenging environments like coastal areas.
• Drainage - Abundance of natural spaces inside the basket filling allows water to flow smoothly without retaining. 
• Cost-effectiveness: Materials and labour requirements are minimal. Fee access to stones can even make gabion walls one of the most affordable solutions in the market. 

Retaining Wall Uses

Stabilising

Retaining walls are supporting structures with the main purposes of holding back earth and stabilising sloped yards.

Erosion Prevention

A retaining wall can inhibit soil erosion. The structure's shape and weight protect the layers by slowing water flow and confining the earth before it gets washed away. 

Stability

Landscaping a sloped garden can trigger unwanted soil movements. A retaining wall redistributes forces and accommodates pressure to prevent the ground from sliding downwards. 

Visual Effects

Gabions retaining wall is an attractive feature. With some clever customisation, it easily becomes the central landscaping focal point.

Types Of Gabion Retaining Walls

Skin Revetment Gabion Wall

This wall is ideal for places where the bank strength is not an issue. Its function is to resist shallow incline failures and prevent the rocks from falling out of the slope.

Gabion Mass-Gravity Catch Wall

A gravity catch wall is designed to seize the falling rocks and chunks of soil, primarily on sloping grounds. 

Gabion Vertical Faced Mass-Gravity Wall

This type of wall is designed to save space, ideal for restricted areas. 

Terraced Gabion Wall

Garden gabion terraces help with flattening the slope of the land. It's used for cascade gardensGarden Edging, playgrounds and sports fields.

Mass-gravity Gabion Retaining Wall

This type of wall creates a river mattress for situations where the embankment remains unsteady.

Gabions Materials

Apart from structurally sound, gabion wall designs should also be aesthetically appealing. Gravel, decorative stones in different sizes and colours, or rock pieces are some of the most prevalent filling options, especially in rustic and industrial design. However, it's possible to fill gabions with fragments of bricks, tiles, even natural elements.

One interesting solution includes filling the gabion baskets with glass and installing a light fixture in the centre of each. That way, the retaining wall also becomes a decorative outdoor light, ideal for both commercial and residential use. 

It's advised to explore the right kind of stone for specific purposes, prior to buying. Not all rocks are fit for gabion cages. Size, shape, pressure strength, durability, and temperature resistance can all affect the gabion wall performance. Different conditions also require different thicknesses of wire. Pebbles and gravel can go with a thinner web, while large stones need sheet steel wire mesh with a thicker diameter.

Maintenance of Gabion Baskets

Gabion retaining walls need regular inspections, especially after intense storms. In case of any temporary or permanent erosion, all damages must be immediately repaired to assure continued maximum performance.

The longevity of a decorative gabion fence depends on the mesh quality, stone durability, and the stability of the filler. Anti-corrosion treatments such as galvanising and over-moulding are advised in some cases. 

If you need help to find the right kind of gabion wall, ArchiPro provides a connection to the various professionals, ready to assist with all requirements and questions. Simply click "Contact supplier" on the product's page, or visit the supplier's website directly from the product's page.