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Frequently Asked Questions About Allan Block
For more than 15 years Allan Block has made
it easy to Plan, Design and Build landscape walls of
distinction. Allan Block has a solution for almost any landscape
application. View the Allan Block publications
Landscape Lifestyles
and
Landscape Design Guide for
some great ideas.
No. Allan Block
is designed to sit on a compacted granular base. This saves time
and money while providing a solid base for the blocks. See the
Landscape Design Guide for
the recommended depth and width of base for your wall.
We know that standard concrete building
blocks made in the 1950s using a similar process are still
performing in building structures around the world. With the
improvements in technology used today, we believe Allan Block
units will last a lifetime.
Yes. The Allan
Block units are made using natural, raw materials and are safe
to use in the environment. No harsh chemicals such as those
found in treated timber are in Allan Block.
Yes. Blocks can
be easily cut using common tools to give your wall a
professional appearance.
Allan Block is a dry stacked system; no
mortar or glue is necessary. The blocks are formed with a
unique, raised front lip that acts as a guide to automatically
setback and interlock the blocks, as they are stacked.
Allan Block units setback as they stack to
improve the stability and performance of the wall. They are
designed with an automatic setback of 3, 6, or 12 degrees of
"lean" into the hillside. The top lip and bottom notch combine
to form the automatic setback. No measuring is necessary. Block
setback is noted on all Allan Block publications.
Allan Block cost varies depending on the
style of wall you choose. Allan Block walls are competitive with
timber and stack rock, while costing up to 30 percent less than
walls requiring concrete footings. Call a Certified Allan Block
Dealer for an accurate quotation on your project.
Consider the options: landscape timbers,
stacked rock, poured concrete or mortared solutions. Allan Block
is cost competitive with all these options.
• Consider the value of Allan Block:
• Will not rot or decay - lasts a
lifetime.
• Does not require any special
fasteners such as nails, pins, or
clips.
• Dry stacked - no mortar and no
concrete footing.
• Curved or straight walls are
virtually the same cost.
• Different looks, colors and styles
are achievable with very little
cost difference.
• Allan Block makes it easy - A complete
solution.
The hollow core, raised front lip and wing
back design of the Allan Block system makes them very easy to
lift and stack. Blocks are available in different sizes, styles
and weights. Ask your local Allan Block Dealer for a
demonstration on the ease of building with Allan Block.
Backfill -
The soil that is placed behind the drainage material and
compacted. Avoid using soft, wet clays or spongy organic soils;
these soils do not compact well and will continue to settle
after construction.
Base Course -
The first course to be installed. It may be totally or
partially buried.
Base Material
- A base pad of free draining granular
material, compacted and level to receive the base course of AB
units. Allan Block recommends a well-graded, compactible
aggregate, ¼" to ¾"
in. (6.4mm to 19.1mm) diameter,
with less than 10% fines.
Buried Block -
The block below grade.
Compaction -
Good compaction will ensure minor settling after construction.
Poor compaction will allow the wall and the materials behind
the wall to settle, possible moving the wall out of alignment,
bulging or possibly to fail. Proper compaction is very
important to wall constuction.
Drainage Material -
Free draining granular material used in the block cores and just
behind the wall to collect and disperse water. This can be the
same material as used for base material.
Exposed Wall Face -
The portion of the retaining wall that is above grade.
Gravity Wall -
Walls that rely on their own weight and setback to hold up the
soil behind them.
Green Walls -
Also known as plantable walls. Created by stepping back a
course of the block enough to expose the hollow core of the
course below, where soil and plants can be placed.
Mechanical Plate Compactor -
Mechanical equipment used for compacting soils (available at
most rental centers).
Retained Soil -
The soil that is held back by the wall.
Reinforced Walls -
Walls that require the use of reinforcement grid to add strength
and structure to the wall.
Setback -
The amount the wall leans back or into the hill.
Soil Reinforcement
- A geosynthetic material used for added
soil reinforcement behind the wall structure.
Surcharge -
An added weight above the wall (driveway, pool, patio) that puts
pressure on the wall below.
Tiered Walls -
Two or more walls set above or below each other, rather than
building one very tall wall. The tiered walls can create more
useable space, tame slopes, build raised gardens and give the
yard a more aesthetic look.
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