Application and benefit of gabion

You have probably seen gabions before, but you may not know why they are called and where their name comes from. By definition, a gabion is a metal cage, metal cylinder, or box that is filled with stones, concrete, sometimes sand, soil, or other material selected by the builder. Gabions find their application in architecture, road construction, erosion protection, military applications and landscaping. Most likely you have seen them from the side of underpass or around construction areas and water structures. Gabions were used thousands of years ago, but made of other materials. At that time, they were mainly involved in the establishment of defense mechanisms in hostilities. The gabions are now made of galvanized steel, in rare cases black steel, stainless steel or hot-galvanized. Galvanized wire is used to retain the shape of the structure and to ensure its durability. More recently, gabions have made an impact in the world of landscape design, in both functional and aesthetic applications.

More commonly, however, gabions are used for a specific purpose. The most popular application is to create retaining or decorative walls in homes. These walls do not require special foundations or foundations and are built directly on the current foundation after all debris and / or plant material has been removed. When constructing this type of facility, they do not need an extra foundation because of their weight, permeability and ability to blend and adapt to the environment.

Another main application for gabions is their use in the backyard. Gabions are often found as a material for outdoor furniture (tables, benches) and even for the environment for water or fireplaces! The gabion may not fit the style of every home or fit in any space, but it definitely draws the attention of others.

When designing a gabion project, however, we need to be aware of what steps we need to take. It is best for everyone to know the pros and cons of gabions.

You will then decide whether it is suitable for your home or find another solution.

Aesthetics: Gabions tend to blend into their natural environment, giving them aesthetic appeal.
Installation: When no foundation is required, it can be a cost-effective solution to the problem of a small backyard space.
Durability: The materials that fill the gabions can be selected depending on the environment in which it is installed. They can be environmentally friendly or building materials that are the best fit. The choice of different options provide durability or great decorative appearance. In addition, the galvanized steel construction provides durability and strength of the metal structure.
Greening: Gabions can be filled with recycled materials such as concrete or rocks that are waste from construction sites. Similarly, they can be filled with natural materials such as straw, grass, stones or more.
Style: Not every home is habitable. For some, it just doesn’t go with the style of the house and the furnishings. This is a decision that must be made when deciding the interior and exterior of your home. Gabions can convey different sensations for each home.
Size: The gabions take up more space, so it must be properly considered before installing them. Standard gabions start at a width of 50 cm, and when creating a support structure, it should be kept in mind that this is a minimum size. For decorative gabions, with no special purpose, they can start from 10cm.
Bulk Size: When installing gabions, you should also be careful when selecting bulk material or filler. The size of the cells of the gabions varies from 5×5 cm to 10×10 cm, so the size of the filler must be adjusted to the opening so that nothing falls through the metal grid.
Unexpected guests: Small animals can find their place in the gaps between the materials that fill the gabion. Very often, when creating gabions outwards and filling them with river or quarry stones, they create conditions for the shelter of small animals that can live between the cracks. This can be avoided in several ways – by thinning stones, adding finer aggregate to the interior of the gabion, adding sand, concrete or the like.
The use of gabions is very wide worldwide and they can be used for various functions. Gabions are found in projects ranging from road construction to landscaping projects, from coastal erosion to the construction of artificial lakes and riverbeds. It is logical to assume that in each case or project a different type of gabion will be used – in volume, size, material, mode of production. Therefore, the best solution is to consult a specialist who can help you assists in choosing the right type of gabion, the right stuffing, and to help you decide whether to use gabions or not.

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