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.