Landscape Newsletter Issue 1
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A Backyard Oasis In New Jersey

A pool can be a welcoming focal point for any home; appealing to the entire family. For water-lovers and sun-worshippers of all ages, the backyard pool is a private vacation get-away, without having to leave home. This spectacular pool and landscape project in Middletown, New Jersey, reclaimed unusable land and now provides a beautiful gathering spot for the entire family.

The backyard had a steep elevation, rendering it unusable. The homeowners wanted to reclaim the unused space and build a recreation area for the whole family, including placing a pool in the center of the hillside. A plan was developed to extend the house into the surrounding landscape using a terraced approach, greatly increasing the total square footage available for recreation and entertainment.

In order to reclaim the steep backyard hillside, the design included multi-tier retaining walls, accommodating an elevation drop of more than 20 ft (6.1 m). Designed and built by Jeffrey Hatoff, Top Seed Landscaping and Gardening Company, Inc. in Metuchen, New Jersey, the project used AB Europa Collection blocks for the tiered-walls, creating an elegant backyard surround. Clayton Block Co., located in Edison, New Jersey, provided the structural design and engineering support, ensuring the soundness of the construction and design. Curved steps flowing down from the home into the pool area required the use of AB Dover and AB Palermo blocks in a tight radius. Cinnamon-colored stone was used to flatter the house and create an elegant setting.

Because of the steep elevation and multi-tiered wall design, a standard, gravity wall approach was not possible. Geogrids - flexible, high-tensile, synthetic mesh - were used to reinforce the soil behind the walls. Installation was fast; the retaining walls were completed in one month. The finished project is stunning. No longer a plain, unused hillside, this inviting area is now a private oasis for family and friends.

“This complex project included multiple patio areas, stairs and retaining walls.Using Allan Block products made it not only beautiful to look at, but easy to accomplish.”
--Jeff Hatoff, co-owner Top Seed Landscaping


retaining wall with terraces around pool

retaining wall with curve

retaining walls with stairs and railing

How-To: Building Steps Into A Wall - Plan, Design, Build

Plan

Choose Your Path Wisely
Find the most natural path and maintain a comfortable rhythm to your stairway.

Stair Design Examples


Curved wall with stairs
AB Collection - Radius with Steps


Tackle Your Slope


Match your stairway design to the natural grade of your slope.
  • On steep slopes, keep the blocks tight together. With Allan Block, you get an 8 in. rise and a 12 in. run. (0.2 m rise and a 0.3 m run).
  • Landings can soften a long stairway and provide an easy way to tie the sets of steps together.
  • On gentle slopes, add pavers or other materials to increase the depth of the tread and length of the run.
Stair examples
Stairs can be designed with flowing curves or straight lines. Curved sidewalls create a softer, natural look. Straight sidewalls and corners offer a crisp, traditional style, however require AB Corner blocks and more time to build.

How Many Steps?
To find the number of steps needed, measure the total rise of your slope in inches and divide by eight.

Example: 48 in. rise divided by 8 (height of the block) equals 6 steps.

Build



One of the unique benefits of Allan Block Retaining Wall Systems is a wide variety of options for designing and building steps.

Starting the Project:

Take Time to Build In Quality. Building stairs and steps requires careful planning, flexibility on the job site and an eye for detail. Be sure to allow adequate time for lay-out and building of stairs.

Select Stair Tread Materials. Allan Block's patented, raised, front-lip design provides built-in edging for a variety of tread materials, including AB Capstones, landscape pavers, poured concrete, crushed rock, mulches and flagstones.

Begin with the Base Course:

  1. Excavate a 6 in. deep x 18 in. wide (15 cm x 45.7 cm) base trench.
  2. Place 4 in. (10.2 cm) of wall rock in the trench and compact with a mechanical plate compactor.
  3. Position the base course of AB Blocks as shown (Fig. 1). Level blocks from side-to-side and front-to-back.
  4. Place wall rock in block cores and a minumum of 6-12 in. (15-30 cm) behind the blocks to ensure to include the area where the next stair riser will be positioned. Compact the wall rock and infill material behind the blocks. (Fig. 1).

    5. Build the next Courses:
  5. Place the second course riser blocks on top of the compacted backfill material (Fig. 2).
  6. Place a small amount of gravel in front of the second course blocks - before adding the infill and backfill materials - to hold them in place when backfilling and compacting.
  7. Place wall rock in the second course block cores and a minumum of 6-12 in. (15-30 cm) behind the blocks.
  8. Fill in backfill soils behind the wall rock.
  9. Compact the wall rock and the infill soils behind the second course to lock the blocks into position (Fig. 2).
  10. Repeat the process for each course of the stairs, up to the top of the wall (Fig. 3).

    11. Build the Stair Treads:
  11. Finish off the steps with any of a variety of stair tread materials. (Fig. 4) When using a rigid dimension tread material such as AB Capstones or landscape pavers, carefully plan the stair dimensions to reduce the amount of cutting required. The application of a construction adhesive is recommended to secure rigid dimension stair treads in place.
Allan Blocks patented front lip provides a built-in edging that works well with Allan Block Capstones, pavers, poured concrete, crushed rock, mulches and flagstones. Ensure stair treads are secured in place for safe use.


See the AB Landscape Walls Book for more information. 		First Course
Second Course
Third Course
Finished Steps
AB Junior Block Steps


Latest in Professional Landscaping Solutions

Allan Block Contractor To Be Featured
On HGTV “Curb Appeal”

Curb Appeal, a weekly Home & Garden Cable TV program, showcases residential exterior makeover projects. The January 6th show features a landscape renovation project in San Francisco. Landscape contractors, Cagwin & Dorward, walk through the design and installation of an Allan Block retaining wall that expands the homeowner’s outdoor living space to the front curb!

Tools of the Trade - Help To Grow Your Business
Allan Block offers a vast array of resources to help with all aspects of your next project. From design ideas to guidelines for estimating material, see your Allan Block dealer for a selection of CDs, specification books and literature.

Landscape Design CD - Complete Design & Install Info
For professional landscape ideas and inspiration, sign up to receive Allan Block’s Landscape Design CD on our website at www.allanblock.com. Packed with information to help you plan, design and build landscape walls up to six feet high, this CD includes product specifications, installation guidelines and a valuable material estimating program.


Visit Allan Block At These 2004 Trade Shows

Mid-America Horticultural
Trade Show, Jan. 14-16
McCormick Place, Chicago, Ill.

APWA - International Public Works
Congress and Expo, Sept.12-15
Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, GA.

ALCA - Green Industry Conference
and Expo, Nov. 3-7, Charlotte, NC






HGTV
AB Landscape Design CD


Outdoor Living Trends Create Demand for Landscape Professionals
Do you know what the most popular American pastime is today? Can you identify the hottest new area in new home construction? If you guessed gardening and landscaping, you got both answers right. It’s a fact. The landscaping market is hotter than ever. More people will invest more time and more money in their yards than ever before. It’s a booming trend that shows no signs of slowing down.

Rising real estate values make it easier for homeowners to invest in their property. Low interest rates and a shaky stock market make home investments the safest and most secure place to put extra earnings. An uncertain world makes it easier to stay at home and enjoy the safety and security found in your own backyard. 		Landscape Professionals
“Housing trends reveal homeowners
are focusing more on outdoor spaces,
making them more like living spaces
with high-end amenities and
custom features”.

Source: Hanley-Wood Consumer
Buyer’s Data 2003.


retaining walls with stairs
Outdoor living has become a passion for both new and existing homeowners. Creating great outdoor settings is big business. People are looking for ways to turn their underdeveloped outdoor spaces into extensions of their homes, just like - dining rooms, living rooms, pool rooms, and family rooms. Landscape professionals can capitalize on the trend by becoming outdoor living experts.

Allan Block is here to help. Take one of your local AB Contractor Certification classes to learn how to plan, design and build great outdoor spaces with our products. Learn how our full line of block collections can provide you unlimited design options and efficient construction. Be ready when our national promotion on HGTV drives consumers to call looking for help with their outdoor living dreams.
terraces retainnig wall with patterns