Building With AB Garden Accent
AB Garden Accent Standard
AB Garden Accent Cap
Approximate Dimensions:
H: 4 in. (100 mm)
W: 8 in. (200 mm) front face
W: 6 in. (150 mm) back face
D: 7 1/4 in. (180 mm)
AB Garden Accent is the ideal choice for beautiful beds and borders. This product currently has limited availability. Please check with your local manufacturer to see if the AB Garden Accent is available in your area.
At about 14 pounds per block (6.3 kg), AB Garden Accent stacks fast and locks together great. The blocks are coloured and textured on two sides, so you can create beautiful raised beds with less work.
Soft Curves, Straight Lines, or Tight Radii
By adjusting the position of the standard blocks, you can get the line and look you want.
AB Garden Accent is a vertical stacking block, so the radius is the same on every course.
| AB Garden Accent Estimating Chart | |||||
| Wall Height (not including the Cap) |
Wall Length | ||||
| 5 ft (1.5 m) |
10 ft (3.0 m) |
15 ft (4.6 m) |
20 ft (6.1 m) |
25 ft (7.6 m) |
|
| 1 course 4 in. (100 mm) |
9 | 17 | 26 | 34 | 43 |
| 2 courses 8 in. (200 mm) |
18 | 34 | 52 | 68 | 86 |
| 3 courses 12 in. (305 mm) |
27 | 51 | 78 | 102 | 129 |
| 4 courses 16 in. (405 mm) |
36 | 68 | 104 | 136 | 172 |
| 5 courses 20 in. (505 mm) |
45 | 85 | 130 | 170 | 215 |
| Caps 4 in. (100 mm) |
Number of Caps Needed | ||||
| 9 | 17 | 26 | 34 | 43 | |
| Wall Rock | Amount of Wall Rock Needed | ||||
| 100 lbs (45 kg) |
200 lbs (91 kg) |
300 lbs (136 kg) |
400 lbs (182 kg) |
500 lbs (227 kg) |
|
Layout and mark garden wall location
Remove sod and dig trench
Install wall rock, level and compact
Install base course and level
Install additional courses
Glue caps in place
How to Build: AB Garden Accent
Prepare The Base
Temporarily lay out the first course of blocks. Adjust the blocks to minimize the gaps between them. This will allow the caps on top to fit snug, and provide a nice, tight finish to the garden wall.
Mark the layout with a shovel, and remove the sod and other surface material from the bed. Dig a shallow trench, 10 - 12 in. (255 - 305 mm) wide and at least 4 in. (100 mm) deep.
Stepping the Base
Use a large level to check the trench for level as you dig. On sloped sites,"step up" the base when it gets more than 6 in. (150 mm) deep.
Place 2 in. (50 mm) of rock in the trench, level and compact with a hand tamper. It is essential that the base is level at this point, as errors will multiply as each new row is added.
Install The Block
Set the base course of block in the trench and make sure the edges all touch on the forward side of the block. Tap the blocks into place with a rubber mallet, leveling each block as you go. As a rule, the base block should be set at least 2 in. (50 mm) below the finished grade.
Fill in behind the blocks with soil, and carefully compact to lock them in place. Fill the blocks with wall rock for additional stability. Sweep the blocks clean, and check again to make sure the blocks are level
Stack the next course of AB Garden Accent, and offset the seams from the blocks below. Keeping the seams staggered will lock the block together and make the retaining wall stronger.
Check the blocks for level, adjust as needed, and add more courses until you reach the height you want for your garden wall.
Cap Your Garden Wall
Top off your garden wall with AB Garden Accent Caps. Alternate the long and short faces to match the design of your garden wall. Apply construction adhesive between and underneath the caps to secure them in place.
Corner Details
The Garden Accent corner units are available in a left and right configuration. They have a notch on one side for interlocking and a smooth side for a finished cap. Your project should always startfrom the corner and build outfrom there.
The corner unit used in the first course is placed so the notch is facing up. There will be a slight height adjustment as the corners do not have the bottom notch thatthe standard units and caps have. This is approximately 3/8 in.(9.5 mm), add crushed rock to this area on the base course to make up this amount or use 3 pieces of roofing shingles cutto size.
Once this adjustment is completed you can continue to build your garden wall by alternating the left and right hand corners per course.
Capping Corners
Using the Garden Accent corner unit, place the block with the smooth side facing up to cap the corner. Apply construction adhesive between and underneath the caps to secure them in place. If any adjustments or cutting needs to be made try to locate it in an area that is not as noticeable.
Corner Block
Corner Cap Block