How Do You Build A Gabion?

Gabions provide a very quick and relatively inexpensive way to build retaining walls and boundaries. In fact, even if you don't know what a gabion is, you've probably seen hundreds of them alongside motorways and in the countryside. In this guide I will show you how I used these brutal structures to create a set of decorative structures in an exploding atomic garden.

How do you build a gabion?

Gabions can be built to almost any size, as long as they are rectangular or square. I did consider trying to make curved gabions, but it proved too cumbersome and awkward. Their beauty lies in their clean lines. The gabions are flat packed as part of a metal grid and then you have to join them together. The easiest way to do this is to use screw connectors, binding each side to the next panel. Makes gabion construction really quick and easy.

 Garden Gabion

The first step before using the connectors is to lay out all the panels. Find out which are the top, bottom and sides. After this has been done you may feel that you have two extra sections. These will be the top or side panels. In the example below, there are two missing sections that will create the final sides when the sides appear. Once you have created one, it will get easier!

Start by placing the panels on a flat surface - remember there are 2 other panels to create the final face or sides of the gabion.

The spring connectors are very easy to fit, you just need to screw them between the two edges of each face. This will then bind them together while allowing for some adjustment when filling them. They will feel loose and free until they are filled in.

 Gabion Basket

All gabions use brackets to prevent the contents from expanding in the basket. In the larger baskets the stand takes the form of a rod on each side and a central partitioned stand. It looks like a normal panel, but with a much larger gap between the grids to allow the contents to pass through. You will need to attach it before filling the gabion with one of the existing connectors. The rod holder looks like a double-ended hook. You stretch these to connect each side in the middle of the basket.

You need to make sure your gabions are on a solid base so they don't move or buckle over time. If they are using existing markers then this is fine. However, if, like me, you are placing them directly on the earth, you will need some form of foundation. I use broken flags to keep the gabions level and recycle the material again. Use a level to ensure that the gabions are placed horizontally on top of that foundation. During the filling of the gabion it is wise to continue to take level measurements and then adjust the fill/cage accordingly. If you wait until it is completely filled, it will be difficult to make any adjustments without emptying it.

The foundation does not need to be fancy and the broken flags will help drainage when it rains compared to a solid concrete base.

For further technical information talk with our specialist or visit our website https://www.zhuomaoyp.com. We can help you to identify the best solution for your application.