Gabion Baskets for Landscaping and Free-Form Wall Solutions

Gabion baskets are baskets made from welded steel mesh or woven wire and are filled with rocks that are large enough to stay within the mesh. Due to the way that they are constructed, gabions can be extremely flexible both in size and aesthetics, depending on their intended use. Commonly used for the purpose of stabilising earth movement and erosion, as well as for river control, canals and reservoirs, gabion baskets are also increasingly popular for use in garden landscaping and free-form wall solutions.

Increasing numbers of architects for new homes and renovations as well as landscape contractors and homeowners alike are realising the many practical and aesthetic benefits of gabion baskets. As gabions are made from a steel mesh or woven wire, before they are filled, they are light and therefore easy to move and manipulate, helping to make landscaping work much quicker and easier. Welded mesh gabions in particular are fast to erect as they do not require tensioning before they are filled.

Welded mesh gabions can be relied upon to keep their shape rather than being affected by bulges and depressions. This allows them to easily fit against a dug out wall when landscaping a garden. This is not to say that gabion baskets are not customisable; as it is likely that most landscaping plans will not consist only of straight lines, gabions can be used to fabricate curves for home garden use and bigger projects. Curved edges help to give a much more natural, yet contemporary look to landscaping.

Gabions can be filled with any type of rock, providing they are large enough to stay inside the wire casement. This means that the aesthetics of a gabion basket are extremely flexible, allowing you to customise how your gabion landscaping wall will look by adding different varieties of rock, as well as different coloured and varied textures of stone. Regardless of the modern look that gabions can give a garden, by using them to create and separate different levels of ground, you can be sure that all ground will remain steady and safe.

In additional to being used as a retaining wall for landscaping, gabion baskets are equally as useful for creating free-form wall solutions, as an appealing alternative to standard bricks. By simply securing some concrete, or even wood panels to the top of a gabion basket wall, you can even create a striking, yet sturdy and functional garden bench.

Whilst you may like the idea of the sharp, contemporary appearance of gabion landscaping or walls in your garden, you could also consider softening their form by planting on top of the baskets. Gabions are also ideal for climbing plants should you wish to disguise the rocks underneath.

Amongst the biggest benefits of installing gabion baskets istheir longevity. Standard gabions, with a zinc/aluminium finish over welded mesh is ideal for almost all landscaping and free-form wall solutions, other than if they are near polluted water or coastal breezes, lasting up to 60 years without needing to be replaced. However, for more hostile environments, a PVC coating can add a further protective layer.

Puppy Cages and Dog Runs

For centuries, dogs have been thought of as man’s best friend and people all over the world keep dogs as house pets. However, as much as we love our dogs, there are times when we must leave them at home. For puppies especially, the thought of leaving them alone in your house can be quite worrying, as you fear that your puppy will cause damage to your furniture and belongings, but more importantly, that they may put themselves in danger. For this reason, many people choose to crate train their young dog.

Whilst you may feel that keeping your puppy confined in a puppy cage whilst you are out of the house is cruel, a cage is actually a safe and comforting place for your dog. Naturally, dogs live in dens to protect themselves from danger as well as to keep warm and dry. A puppy cage acts as a den, and is a safe haven for them to go and relax.

Puppy cages are commonly constructed from sturdy galvanised steel, with handles for carrying and a removable bottom tray, making the cage easy to transport and clean.

Protecting your furniture and possessions

It is a commonly known fact that many young dogs chew things; anything from chair legs, to toys or shoes, not to mention their own bedding, your bedding, or just about anything else that they can get hold of. Whilst providing your dog with their own chew toys to distract them may help to a certain extent, it is unlikely that this will prevent the majority of puppies from chewing entirely, so you could be looking at paying for a few damages.

By crate training your dog, you can leave them in a puppy cage when you are not there, protecting your furniture and possessions from being chewed and shredded to pieces.

Puppy safety

It is not only the safety of your possessions that can be put into jeopardy by your puppy’s chewing habits, but also their own safety. Puppies are often drawn to chew dangerous objects such as electrical wires and they can also swallow parts of what they are chewing. By crate training them and leaving them in their cage for short periods whilst you are out, you can avoid your puppy endangering themselves.

Toilet training

Puppy cages can also play a huge part in helping your Dog with toilet training. All puppies will avoid going to the toilet in their bed, so within reason they will wait to be released before going to the toilet, making house training much easier. You should get your puppy into a routine of being taken outside once they are released from their cage.

Remember

Whilst puppy cages make excellent short term solutions for keeping your dog safe, clean and happy, it is important that you do not keep them confined for too long – a puppy cage can’t be used as a substitute for a kennel.

Dog runs

If you are going to be out for some hours, you can consider installing a dog run in your garden. Dog runs are constructed from galvanised wire panels that can be fit together and bolted to make custom shapes. Dog run panels are designed to be just as ideal for large dogs as for smaller dogs and are made with a small aperture to prevent dogs from climbing.

A dog run gives your animal space to move around and benefit from fresh air, whilst being kept safe. Understandably, the bigger your dog, it makes sense for you to build a bigger dog run, adding more dog run panels to give them the space to run up and down and behave naturally.

If you have more than one dog, you can easily build a divided kennel to keep them separated. If you choose, you could add a fully solid dividing panel to prevent your dogs from barking at each other. These solid panels are also useful as wind breaks and sun shades to protect your dogs from the weather conditions if they are to be in their run for a longer period of time.

Puppy cages and dog runs are designed specifically to ensure your dog’s safety and security. You can visit the Weld-Mesh website for a quote.