How To Assemble Gabion Baskets (WITH VIDEO)

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Below you will find a step-by-step guide on how to assemble gabion baskets using different methods.

Experience Required: Low
Tools Required: Protective gloves, Wire cutter, Pliers
Materials Required: Gabions, Lacing wire or Helicoils

Step 1) Delivered Flat Packed

Gabions are delivered flat-packed and come with free lacing wire, pre-clipped with steel clips.
You can also order additional accessories, such as helicoils, for quicker assembly.

Step 2) Unfold the Gabion

In the process of how to assemble gabion baskets, unfold them and lay it flat on the ground.
Cages consist of 6 panels: top, bottom, front, back, and two sides.
The base is pre-clipped to all four sides, and the lid is attached to the back panel.

METHOD A – Step 3) Cut the Lacing Wire

Use a wire cutter to cut the lacing wire to size: for every 1 metre of length, you’ll require approximately 1.5 metres of wire.
Alternatively, you can calculate it by taking twice the length of the panel.

METHOD A – Step 4) Join Adjacent Panels

Join adjacent panels using a continuous lacing wire.
Start by wrapping the wire around the first mesh hole three times.
Then, thread the wire in and out to create a double-loop around each hole for added strength, pulling the wire tight as you go.

METHOD A – Step 5) Secure Wire at the Top

Wrap the wire around the last mesh hole three times to secure it.

METHOD A – Step 6) Cut Off Excess Wire

Use wire cutters to trim off the excess lacing wire.

METHOD A – Step 7) Close Lid & Finish Up

After filling the basket with stones, close the lid snugly with no gaps.
Secure the top edges with lacing wire as before.
Cut any excess wire, and you’ve finished the process of how to assemble a gabion basket.

METHOD B – Step 3) Calculate & Prepare Helicoils

Each helicoil is 1 m long.
You’ll need 4 helicoils for the sides of the basket and 1 more for the lid if you’re not using lacing wire to secure it.
If the height is less than 1m, cut the helicoils to size as needed. For heights over 1m, use a full helicoil and a cut one.

METHOD B – Step 4) Join Panels

Connect the four corners by twisting the helicoil through the mesh.

METHOD B – Step 5) Cut off Excess

The helicoils are 1 metre long.
If your gabion is shorter than 1 metre, you’ll need to cut the helicoil to size using wire cutters.

METHOD B – Step 6) Fold the End of the Helicoil

At the top and bottom, use pliers to turn the last coil of the helicoil vertically by 90 degrees to prevent movement.

METHOD B – Step 7) Close the Lid

After filling the basket, close the lid, ensuring it fits snugly on the stones without any gaps.

METHOD B – Step 8) Finish Up

Secure the top edges with a helicoil connector, following the same method as before.
Then, cut any excess helicoil as described in step 5.

Tips & Tricks

While assembling the gabions we identified both the strengths and the trickier parts of the process, which we’ve compiled into the list below to help make this guide more useful.

Choose 4mm or 5mm wire for enhanced security, stability, and strength, which helps prevent bulging.
Use corner braces to stop gabion baskets from bulging.
Use lacing wire as an alternative to corner braces.
When deciding how to assemble gabion baskets, consider using helicoils for a quicker assembly process.
Keep lacing lengths to around 1 metre for easier handling.
At the top and bottom ends of the helicoil, turn the last coil vertically by 90 degrees to prevent movement.