Helpful Gabion Wall Information
BBA Certificate Number: 05/4215 held by Link Middle East Ltd
See all standards
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
Customer Images
Help Videos
What’s Included?
Play Video
Strength difference between 3mm, 4mm and 5mm
How to build a freestanding wall
How to build a retaining wall
How to assemble with Helicals
How to assemble with Tying Wire
How to install and save money with a stone separating panel
How to stop bulging with corner ties
More videos and helpful information can be found on our Gabion Hub page
What’s Included?
Play Video
How to build a freestanding wall
How to build a retaining wall
How to make steps
How to make a planter
How to make a table
How to make a curved gabion
What’s Included?
Play Video
Behind-the-scenes tour of our warehouse in Tutbury
Behind-the-scenes look at our team manufacturing a gabion
Which Wire Diameter?
Galfan Coated
PVC Coated
3mm Wire Diameter
4mm Wire Diameter
5mm Wire Diameter
3.2mm Wire Diameter
4.3mm 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
Mesh Hole Size
75mm x 75mm
75mm x 75mm
75mm x 75mm
75mm x 75mm
75mm x 75mm
Mesh Material
Galfan coated steel
Galfan coated steel
Galfan coated steel
Galfan coated steel with PVC coating
Galfan coated steel with PVC coating
Mesh Construction
Welded
Welded
Welded
Welded
Welded
Mesh panels joined
together by
Stainless steel C Clips
Tensile strength range
540-770 N/mm²
540-770 N/mm²
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
120
years
120
years
Suited to Environments
C2 – C4
C2 – C4
C2 – C4
C2 – C5
C2 – C5
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
Design & Installation
Installation Guidelines
Retaining Wall Design
Freestanding Wall Design
Height & Loads
1.5m or Less & Low Loads
X – Engineer required
[insert image]
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
[insert image]
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
Basecourse
1.5m or less & low loads (i)
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 (i)
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
Shape
1.5m or less & low loads (i)
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 (i)
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 (i)
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 (i)
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 or low loads
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 (i)
The wall should be on a 6-degree slope leaning into the earth to improve the strength and stop slipping.
Geotextile
1.5m or less or low loads
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
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
To Do
Explanation
Up to 1.5m & 2:1 Ratio
To ensure stability, freestanding walls should not exceed 2:1
Customer Examples
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
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
[image showing good connection + 2 most comment installations]
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
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 cost
Using tying
wire
Tying wire is supplied with all gabion orders.
PRO : it’s free
CON : time of installation
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
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