Landscape Newsletter Issue 2 |
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Minnesota Dream Yard |
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| Minnesota may be known for its harsh winters, but that just makes spring, summer and fall much
sweeter. This project began when a Minnesota family decided to replace the aging, concrete-block retaining wall in their backyard. Because the family wanted greater outdoor space for entertaining and relaxing, it quickly evolved into a lifestyle showpiece. Knowing that wall construction was critical, they hired an expert in landscape wall design and construction. |
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| Project Manager:"It's probably the most beautiful job I've ever done. No other product could have met all the requirements of this project." |
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Plan: The homeowners wanted to create more useable space in the backyard and eliminate
the unattractive straight walls built close to the house. Due to the proposed wall heights and
steep slope above the wall, the new walls would have to be reinforced in order to retain the
hillside above the home. But most of all, the homeowners wanted a beautiful, flowing outdoor
space that could be used every day. Design: The project took a unique approach to transforming the back yard. The design included a raised patio and seating area, sweeping curves in the walls and a built-in fire pit wrapped in natural Chilton stone. The wall construction combined the four block shapes in the AB Ashlar Collection to create a beautiful random ashlar pattern. These striking design elements met the customer's requirements for a more usable yard and created a beautiful outdoor living space. With the design concept approved, the contractor hired a local engineering firm to provide structural design and engineering support. Build: The masonry walls and footings were removed and the hill was excavated to allow for base block installation. The sandy soils at the site allowed for good compaction and were suitable for backfilling. A bed of crushed limestone was placed for the base trench, and clear stone was brought in for the drain rock. AB Classic blocks were used for base installation, followed by stacking of the Ashlar pattern. The design called for a modified, three course pattern, with geogrid layers placed according to the engineered drawings. The homeowners are delighted with the final result, and sure that Allan Block was the only product that could have been used to meet all the engineering and aesthetic requirements of this project. This beautiful, new outdoor living space is a landscape masterpiece that can be enjoyed all year - even in the Minnesota winter. |
 
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How-To: Building AB Ashlar and AB Abbey Blend Walls |
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| Want to take the look of your wall up a notch? Try an AB Ashlar or AB Abbey Blend
patterned wall. The random, natural feel of a blended wall adds another dimension to
our landscape. Plan: Building blended walls will take a bit more planning and a bit more time on the job site. But for high profile projects - the results make it worthwhile. There are two collections to choose from; the AB and the AB Europa Collection. Choose the one that best compliments your project. |
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| Design: There are two pre-set patterns you can choose from; a two course pattern that is approxmiately 16 in. tall (410mm) and a three course pattern that is approxmiately 24 in. tall (610mm). To achieve your desired wall height, adjustments can be made by combining the two course with the three course pattern. |
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| Build: Begin with the Base Course: Step 1. For a gravity wall (no grid reinforcement needed), excavate a 4 in. deep x 18 in. wide (100mm x 460mm) base trench, plus additional to account for buried block. For a reinforced wall (requiring grid reinforcement), excavate a 6 in. deep x 24 in. wide (150mm x 610mm) base trench, plus an additional 1 in (25 mm) for each 1 ft (300 mm) of wall height to account for buried block. Step 2. Place, level and compact wall rock. For gravity walls a miniumum of 4 in. deep (100 mm) or for reinforced walls a minimum of 6 in. deep (150 mm). Install the base course using full size blocks (AB Classic or AB Dover), level as you go. Step 3. Fill the hollow cores and behind the blocks with 12 in. (300 mm)of wall rock. Use on-site soil to fill area behind the wall rock and in front of the blocks to keep the base course from shifting when filling and compacting. Step 4. Use a plate compactor to consolidate the wall rock directly behind the blocks in a path parallel to the wall. Work from the back of the block to the back of the excavated area with a minimum of 2 passes. Building Patterns Step 5. Use the charts in the AB Landscape Walls Book to determine if your wall needs grid reinforcement. If the wall requires reinforcement, then install the grid on top of the base course (Fig. 2). Next, select the pattern that provides the correct spacing, as shown in your engineered drawings, to allow for the next course(s) of grid. |
   
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Step 6. Place the first course of your pattern on top of the base course.
Fill the hollow cores and compact with a shovel handel (Fig. 3). Add the
wall rock and remaining backfill and compact thoroughly. Step 7. Continue building the pattern, filling and compacting in 8 in. lifts (20cm). Step 8. At the top of the pattern, use the plate compactor on top of the blocks to consolidate the wall rock in the blocks. Add grid if required and begin again (Fig. 4). Additional Courses Step 9. Repeat steps 5-8 for each two or three course pattern. Step 10. Check blocks for level after compacting each lift. For complete installation guidelines, visit your AB dealer. Contact your local AB dealer to register for one of our Contractor Certification classes. Estimating Block Patterns The charts below indicate the block required to build a 10 ft (3 m) long section of wall. Note: The base course of block will need to be determined seperately. |
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| Calculating Block Quantities - Example: This wall example is 4 ft tall x 40 ft long and uses the two course pattern 3 times with AB Abbey Blend.
* An AB Half Lite is a AB Lite Stone cut in half. |
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Increasing Demand for New Design Elements in Landscaping |
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| Thirty years ago, landscape professionals had limited choices of design elements and materials.
Patios were poured-concrete. Decks were cedar. Retaining walls were plain concrete blocks. Even when
it came to foliage, only basic choices for plants, flowers and shrubs were available. People lived
indoors and their yards were an after-thought. Today, people are passionate about their home's outdoor environment and want to integrate it with interior space and lifestyle. They want to do more to enhance their home's curb appeal and value - and they are willing to pay for it. For landscape professionals, this is an opportunity to separate themselves from their competition by promoting and installing the latest generation of landscape products. Homeowner demand for new innovative designs spells business opportunity for the progressive landscape professional. |
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"We're seeing a dramatic shift towards tumbled blocks, blended colors and natural
looking hardscape products. Homeowners and building owners are looking for upscale landscaping that
compliments their buildings." Source: Dan Mechley, Hardscape Sales Mgr, Reading Rock | |
| For more than 15 years, Allan Block has been leading the industry by innovating new types of stackable
concrete blocks. Allan Block has a wide variety of blocks in many colors, sizes and shapes. Developed for
both beauty and durability, these products give designers and contractors many new options. Distinctive
outdoor spaces can be designed that are creative, cost effective, attractive and long lasting. Today, landscape design is a dynamic art form. Using Allan Block's full product line, landscape architects and contractors can easily construct flowing designs which take into account yard shape and topography, plantings and traffic patterns. They can develop plans to incorporate the lifestyle needs of the customer and design landscapes that add value for years to come. Landscape professionals know they need quality and variety in blocks and materials. Details are critical in all designs. The color, texture and size of the materials must come together to create a synergy that makes the designs come alive. The materials used should enhance the design options, not limit them. |
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| Allan Block products are virtually
limitless in their application and are of the highest quality. New block designs have rich blended colors,
tumbled textures and modular designs. Designers can mix block colors or sizes to create a natural stone effect. No matter whether the project is a private residence, a commercial property, or a public construction project, block design details add great visual impact for very little cost. Using the latest block designs from Allan Block makes the details of each plan unique. It's a far cry from the days of poured-concrete patios! |
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