Build your own gabion wall

Use the calculator below to quickly create a retaining gabion wall. Simply select the height and length required and the calculator will put together a list of the gabions required.

If you already know the gabion sizes you require click here

Key Info

Manufactured to BS EN standards.
BBA approved

Full product details

Step

Choose Your Wire Diameter

3mm

4mm

Step

Choose Your Finish

Galfan Coated Steel

Step

Choose the total height (meters)

Step

Choose the total length (meters)

BBA Certificate Number: 05/4215 held by Link Middle East Ltd

All of our Gabions have been tested and certified to the following standards
BBA Certified The British Board of Agreement (BBA) certificate confirms that a product has been rigorously tested and confirmed to be to be high quality, and suitable for use in the construction industry.	Yes – BBA certificate number: 05/4215 Certification Body: BBA
Gabion Quality Standard Refers to the accuracy of the coatings, dimensions and mechanical properties of welded mesh gabions.	– conforms to BS EN 10223-8:2413 Certification Body: British Standards Institution
Accurate Zinc Coating Ensures the wires are coated with zinc against corrosion to the correct standards.	– conforms to BS EN 10244-2:2009 Certification Body: British Standards Institution
Wire Tolerances Standard Refers to the accuracy of the hole size. This standard ensures that the mesh is manufactured to precise measurements.	– conforms to BS EN 10218-2:2012 Certification Body: British Standards Institution
Hole Size (Aperture) Standard Refers to the accuracy of the hole size. This standard ensures that the mesh is manufactured to precise measurements.	– conforms to BS EN 10218-2:2012 Certification Body: British Standards Institution
Corrosion Resistance Standard Refers to the ability of the material to avoid corrosion and rusting.	– conforms to BS EN 10244-2:2009 Certification Body: British Standards Institution
Abrasion Resistance Standard Refers to the ability of the material to withstand wearing down due to rubbing against itself of another material.	– conforms to BS EN 60229:2008 Certification Body: British Standards Institution
PVC Coating Standard Refers to the quality and quantity of the PVC coating. PVC-coated cages only	– conforms to BS EN 10245-1:2011 & BS EN 10245-2:2011 Certification Body: British Standards Institution

Gabion Wall Help

Customer Projects

Which Wire Thickness? Video

Wire Diameter	Use For:
3mm	Standard wire thickness for walls up to 5m. Low-cost option. Will result in minor bulges when filled with rocks. Suitable if architectural, straight edge finish is not required.
4mm	5m+ high & free-standing walls. Use for seating or surfaces that will be walked on. Will give an architectural, straight edge finish when filled carefully with interlocking rocks.
5mm	5m+ high walls & free-standing walls. Use for seating or surfaces that will be walked on. Best for an architectural, uniform and precise finish. For use in public parks. Can be used with rounded stone fill.

	3mm Wire Diameter	4mm Wire Diameter	5mm Wire Diameter
Freestanding wall
Retaining walls (up to 5m)
Retaining walls (5m and over)
Erosion control
Coastal protection
Delivered as	Flat packed in small to large truck depending on order quantity
Delivered with	Delivered with FREE tying wire
Also available	Helicals for quicker assembly of the 4 vertical corners (ordered separately)
Also available	Corner ties to prevent bulging (ordered separately)
Can wires be cut	Yes – with a good wire cutter
Made in UK	Yes
Conforms to British manufacturing standard	BS EN 10223-8:2013
Certificate of conformity	Yes – download
CONSTRUCTION
Mesh Hole Size	75mm x 75mm	75mm x 75mm	75mm x 75mm
Mesh Material	Galfan coated steel	Galfan coated steel	Galfan coated steel
Mesh Construction	Welded	Welded	Welded
Mesh panels joined together by	Stainless steel C Clips
STRENGTH & ENVIRONMENT
Tensile strength range	540-770 N/mm²	540-770 N/mm²	540-770 N/mm²
Corrosion resistance	Yes, conforms to British standard BS EN 10244-2:2009
Abrasion resistance	Conforms to EN 60229:2008
Life Expectancy	50 – 100 years	50 – 100 years	50 – 100 years
Suited to Environments	C2 – C4	C2 – C4	C2 – C4
ROCKS / FILLING / INSTALLATION
Speed of installation	2-5 mins each
Experience required to install	Easy install
Depth of structure	Minimum half of the height
Rock size required	Minimum 80mm x 80mm
Requires angular, interlocking rocks
Can be filled with crushed concrete
Can fill with rounded rocks

Videos

How to build a gabion retaining wall

How to build a freestanding gabion wall

How to assemble a gabion (WITH HELICALS)

How to assemble a gabion (WITH TYING WIRE)

Gabion rigidity test (COMPARING DIAMETERS)

PVC gabion rigidity test (COMPARING DIAMETERS)

How to use corner ties

How to use stone separating panels

How to brace a gabion with tying wire

How to cut gabion panels

Gabion wire diameter guide

How likely is a gabion basket to bulge?

How to join gabion baskets together with helicals

Gabion deflection test

PVC gabion deflection test

How a gabion basket is manufactured

Comparing 3 gabion assembly methods

Design & Installation

Installation Guidelines
Retaining Wall Design
Freestanding Wall Design

Height & Loads

1.5m or Less & Low Loads
X – Engineer required

A retaining wall does not require an engineer’s calculation when it meets the following criteria

It is lower than 1.5m tall
It is retaining flat earth
It is not retaining heavy loads such as roads or buildings
The ground does not have a lot of groundwater

1.5m+ or Large Loads
Y – Engineer required

A retaining wall does require an engineer’s calculation when it meets the following criteria

It is taller than 1.5m
It is retaining sloped earth
It is retaining heavy loads such as roads or buildings
The ground has a lot of groundwater

Foudations

Basecourse

1.5m or less & low loads show image

Remove softer top soils until you get to firmer subsoil
Replace with 10-30 cm of type 1 basecourse
Compact the basecourse

1.5m+ or large loads Show Image

Foundations should be 500mm below ground to prevent slipping.
Add a 30-50cm layer of type 1 basecourse
Compact the basecourse using a plate compactor

Stability

Shape

1.5m or less & low loads Show Image

Can be built without the step, as long as the ground is flat and it is not retaining a large amount of weight, such as a road or buildings

1.5m+ or large loads Show Image

Usually requires a stepped shape. The depth of the bottom row is half of the height.
Consult a Structural Engineer if you are planning a non-stepped shape

2:1 Ratio

1.5m or less or low loads Show Image

The height should not be more than double the size of the base; otherwise, it will not be suitable for a retaining wall.

1.5m+ or large loads Show Image

If you are planning to use a 2:1 ratio and your wall is over 1.5m, you will require a Structural Engineer to check the calculations

6 Degree Slope

1.5m or less & low loads show image

The wall should be on a 6-degree slope leaning into the earth to improve the strength and stop slipping.

1.5m+ or large loads Show Image

The wall should be on a 6-degree slope leaning into the earth to improve the strength and stop slipping.

Drainage

Geotextile

1.5m or less & low loads show image

Cover the back of the cages with a geotextile or weed mat to prevent soil and earth clogging up behind.
Install a drainage pipe, then cover it with 10cm of gravel for drainage

1.5m+ or large loads Show Image

Cover the back of the cages with a geotextile to prevent soil and earth clogging up behind.
Install a drainage pipe, then cover the back of the wall with 20cm of gravel for drainage
The drainage gravel should be installed within 15cm of the top

Illustration

How to

1m High Wall

Equipment Required

Use sizes 1x1x1m or 2x1x1m – visit our calculator page
All wire diameters are suitable, but we suggest 4mm+ if you would like to prevent bulging Show Image
Attach using helicals
Save money using partitions
Allow drainage using geotextile Show Image

2m High Wall

Equipment Required

Use 1x1x1m & 1.5x1x1m baskets – visit our calculator page
All wire diameters are suitable, but we suggest 4mm+ if you would like to prevent bulging Show Image
Attach using helicals
Save money using partitions
Allow drainage using geotextile Show Image

3m High Wall

Equipment Required

Use 1x1x1m, 1.5x1x1 & 2x1x1m baskets or visit our calculator page
All wire diameters are suitable, but we suggest 4mm+ if you would like to prevent bulging Show Image
Attach using helicals
Save money using partitions
Allow drainage using geotextile Show Image

4m High Wall

Equipment Required

- Use 1x1x1m, 1.5x1x1 & 2x1x1m baskets or visit our calculator page
- All wire diameters are suitable, but we suggest 4mm+ if you would like to prevent bulging Show Image
- Attach using helicals
- Save money using partitions
- Allow drainage using geotextile Show Image

5m High Wall

Equipment Required

Use 1x1x1m, 1.5x1x1 & 2x1x1m baskets – visit our calculator page
All wire diameters are suitable, but we suggest 4mm+ if you would like to prevent bulging Show Image
Attach using helicals
Save money using partitions
Allow drainage using geotextile Show Image

To Do

Explanation

Up to 1.5m & 2:1 Ratio

To ensure stability, freestanding walls should not exceed 2:1

Customer Examples

Example 1 : H97.5cm x D97.5cm
Example 2: H1.35 x D67.5cm

Exceeds 1.5m or 2:1 Ratio

An internal support post is required if the wall height is exceeds 2:1 ratio or 1.5m height

How To

The strength of the post will depend on the height and weight of the wall. For medium sized walls use the equivelent of a scaffolding post
The posts should reach a minimum of 1.5m from the top
The post should be sunk into the ground approx 1/3 the height of the wall
Attach the support post to the gabion with bracing wire
If your pole is hollow, you will need to plug the gap at the top to prevent water from entering.
Set the post into concrete

Customer Examples

Example 1: H5m x D2m
Example 2: H3m x D1m
Example 3: H3m x D1m
Example 4: H2.6m x D1m

Foundation

Up to 1.5m height

Remove softer top soils until you get to firmer subsoil
Replace with 10-30 cm of type 1 basecourse
Compact the basecourse
Most low-level and/or wide columns do not usually require a foundation. If your column is 1m+ or narrow you may need a concrete foundation for added stability

1.5m+ height

Foundations should be 500mm below ground to prevent slipping.
Add a 30-50cm layer of type 1 basecourse
Compact the basecourse using a plate compactor

Configuration

As long as the cages are installed next to each other and they are attached securely using helicals or tying wire you can use different configurations

Customer Examples

Example 1 : H97.5cm x D97.cm
Example 2: H1.35 x D67.5cm
Example 1: H5m x D2m
Example 2: H3m x D1m
Example 3: H3m x D1m
Example 4: H2.6m x D1m

Basket Assembly

Gabions are delivered flat-packed with the sides, bottom, and lid clipped together. Upon arrival, the corners of the gabions should be attached to complete the assembly.

Corner Assembly Fitting
Using helicals	Helicals can be purchased separately. 4x helicals are required for assembly per gabion (one for each corner).PRO: looks uniform and quick to install CON: additional costWatch Video
Using tying wire	Tying wire is supplied with all gabion orders. PRO: it’s free CON: time of installation Watch Video
Using CT35 clips	Gabion clips are available in bulk quantities. Advised for use by professionals PRO: discrete / hidden CON: requires a plier or electronic tool Watch Video

FAQs

What is a Retaining Wall?

They are a structure designed to keep earth within the desired area. Often built to prevent soil from sloping into unwanted areas such as motorways.

How expensive are they compared to other options?

They are cheaper than most other construction materials such as concrete that might be used for retaining earth in the same way. They are also very easy to use reducing the need for pay for extra manpower.

What depth should the structure have?

If it’s going to be freestanding, the depth should be at least half of the overall height in order to keep it stable. If it’s going to be reinforced with metal frames for example, you can get away with a smaller depth.

Where do I get the stone?

We supply stone suitable on this page.

You can also quickly calculate the amount of stone you need on this page

Downloadable PDFs

Specifications

Galfan Gabion Specification

Certification

BBA Certification

Category	Description
C2 – LOW	Low level of pollution, mostly rural areas
C3 – MEDIUM	Most rural & urban areas with low level sulphur dioxide, acid, alkali & salt pollution
C4 – HIGH	Urban & industrial areas with moderate sulphur dioxide pollution &/or coastal areas with low salinity
C5 – VERY HIGH	Industrial areas with high humidity & aggressive atmospheres; Coastal & offshore areas with high salinity

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Gabion Wall Creator