Landscape Newsletter Issue 14 |
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Allan Block - The Natural Choice |
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| In their Cave Creek Arizona dwelling, homeowners Mr. and Mrs. Paul Stephens met the
challenge of landscaping in a harsh, desert climate by drawing from the natural beauties
that surrounded their home. The homeowners wanted to minimize the need for exterior maintenance as much as possible around their magnificent stucco home. They contacted a local contractor for some ideas. Using their suggestions, Brian of Pathways in Scottsdale, AZ created a design that he thought best fit their desires. |
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| He recommended a sprawling circular driveway in the front of the home using pavers that
blended beautifully with the color and style of the home. In the back he wanted to create
a beautiful backyard living area that included a BBQ station, swimming pool and hot tub all
using the same pavers to match the front. There would be elevation changes that would need
to be addressed to complete this design. |
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A standard stucco wall, originally specified in the design to match the home’s exterior,
did not satisfy the Stephens. “We were looking for something with more character and
custom feel.” Brian recommended Allan Block’s product as he had worked with it before
and thought it would be the perfect solution. Jack Ross, Allan Block sales representative for AZ Block, found exactly what they were looking for: The AB Collection. He set up a sample wall right on site and discussed with them the advantages of using the Allan Block product. The Stephens were thrilled to find a color that would perfectly complement the pavers they had selected and blended so naturally with their surrounding landscape. “They loved the look and maintenance aspect of the system compared to a standard stucco wall,” Jack said. From selecting to installing, the Stephens have been completely satisfied with their Allan Block experience. Working with both a knowledgeable sales representative and a certified contractor made them feel comfortable throughout the entire project. And the result is stunning: retaining walls that seem to have been built right from the stones of the Arizona desert. Mr. and Mrs. Stephen agree, “We love it!” |
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Finish your wall with style using mulch, plantings or Allan Block |
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Finishing OptionsAllan Block offers several options to finish the wall.The raised front-lip provides a perfect built-in edging for a variety of finishing materials including rock, mulch, or plantings. Allan Block Capstones are also an option that offers a clean professional finished look.
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| Finishing the project with materials like mulch, rock and plantings
give the project a softer finished look, but is also cost effective and a
time saver on installation. | ||
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There are also several different options for ending and stepping down walls. Click here for more information. | |
Capping Curves and Corners |
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| Capping a curved wall or a corner takes a bit of cutting and fitting, but produces a beautiful finish. Be sure to wear appropriate safety gear, including protective eye wear, dust mask, and hearing protection when cutting, and operate power saws carefully. | 
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Capping Curves
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- Set another cap on top of the first two caps and draw a line from where the caps intersect at the front and back. Using a hand held masonry saw cut along the mark through the cap and deep enough to mark the lower cap.
- Remove the middle cap and finish making the cuts along the marks.
- Set the middle cap back in place so the three fit tightly together.
- Place two caps on the wall with the back of each cap tight together. A gap will appear in the front.
- Measure the distance of the gap between the 2 caps (x) at the front of the wall.
- Measure out this distance (x/2) on the back of each of the cap and mark.
- Draw a line from the mark to the front corner.
- Use a masonry saw to cut each cap.
| Capping Corners | ||
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| It's a good idea to secure caps with a high strength construction adhesive. We recommend
using a flexible concrete adhesive/sealant that will allow the caps to flex during freeze/thaw cycles.
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