6 Benefits of Gabion Walls

Gabion Walls are uniquely designed mixed material walls that date back to ancient times. They are composed of a cage, usually made of steel or wicker, filled with stones, bricks, or other hard, inorganic material. Equally at home in front of a country cottage as a ultra-modern office building, these classic walls add value to any property.

1. Attractive

Gabion Walls have all the appeal of traditional stone or brick walls, with a twist. They have a flexible aesthetic that interests many designers, in large part because the filler material can consist of almost any rocky material. In fact, it is simple to use rocks dug up on the property itself, or ones leftover from construction, seamlessly tying the wall into the rest of the property.

2. Cost Effective

Since the filler material can come from the nearby area, and can potentially consist of local stone or even pieces of broken concrete, it can lower transportation and building costs. Nor does the builder need to put a foundation under the wall, saving time and money there, as well.

3. Cooling

A taller Gabion Wall is able to provide more shade than an open fence, without blocking the breeze as a traditional stone or brick wall would. Since the filler stones are not together in any way, air can still circulate between and through them, which gives them superior cooling capabilities.

4. Earthquake and Flood Friendly

Since they are not cemented together, the filler material can shift and move more easily, giving it an advantage during extreme weather events such as earthquakes or floods. Water can also flow through the cracks and openings, putting less pressure on the wall in cases of flood. These traits also make them extremely functional as retaining walls or as erosion control.

5. Long Lasting

They can last for many years, and in fact get stronger as the filling material settles into itself, and as plants and other organic material takes root within it. Since they are filled with solid stone or rocks, they are much more durable and can withstand more punishment than a standard wood or even iron fence.

6. Simple to Build

The fact that these walls do not require a foundation or for the stones to slot together perfectly makes them very easy to construct. Once the outside cage is purchased or constructed, it simply needs to be filled with the chosen filler. It is a project that a do-it-yourself can handle themselves.

When researching yard design and wall design, Gabion Walls come up over and over again, and for a good reason. These walls were used all throughout the ancient world, from shoring up the banks of the Nile River to the construction ancient forts. They have not decreased in popularity today, due to their sturdiness, ease of construction, and aesthetic appeal. They are a solid choice for any property.

Tom James,