Once you have a design in mind, measure the significant features of the area you are considering – buildings, fences, trees, etc. – as they can affect the layout of your project. If you plan to install the project yourself, design the project to minimize cutting.

When planning a garden or retaining wall, you should ask yourself several questions to ensure your finished installation will look great and last a lifetime.

How high will the wall be? Height of the wall should always include a minimum of one buried base course in addition to the height above ground. Different blocks have different height capabilities. Be sure not to exceed the maximum recommended height for the wall product you choose.
Will the wall be straight, curved or both? Our walls can create circles, soft flowing curves, straight linear designs or any of these in combination. Measure the curved and straight sections of the wall separately to make estimating easier.
What is the purpose of the wall? Some wall products are suitable for large retaining wall projects while others are ideal for small garden walls or planters.
Will the height of the wall vary? If the property has a slope, the wall height may vary accordingly. To make estimating easier, break the wall up into sections of equal height, always maintaining one buried base course.
Will the wall be terraced? If so, the front of the upper wall must be at least 1.5 times the height of the lower wall behind the back of the base course of the lower wall.
What setback do you need? Some wall products are capable of achieving vertical walls and other products have an automatic setback. Vertical walls typically can’t go as high as setback walls without reinforcement. In addition, setback walls may require less product. When planning and measuring, keep in mind that a single setback moves the top of the wall back 25 mm (1") per course from the front of the base course.

Walls that exceed the maximum recommended height, walls in areas of poor drainage and walls with extra loading at the top may require special engineering. Please contact us for more information if your wall falls into one of these categories.