There are many ways in which you can take advantage of the solidity and visual appeal of garden walling:
You’ll need planning permission for any wall over 1 metre in height that borders a public highway, and for any free-standing wall over 2 metres in height. You may also require a structural engineer’s specification for larger retaining walls.
Whatever the intended purpose of your wall, it is important to choose materials that complement your property and any other features in your garden. It’s equal crucial to ensure that the materials and construction method are appropriate for the intended purpose of the wall. Your budget will also be a major consideration and it is worth thinking about whether you wish your walls to fit seamlessly into the local environment or to stand out from the crowd.
Brick walls
Bricks can be budget friendly options and are available in a range of colours and textures to suit your property. Second-hand bricks will lend character to your walling but can be expensive and may not be frost resistant.
It is possible to build brick walls of almost any height or length and it’s easy to incorporate curves into the structures.
Natural stone walls
Natural stone is a more expensive option than brick but if your home is a stone or period property, stone walls will often deliver more aesthetically pleasing results.
Stone in its natural state is called undressed stone. Stone that is pre-cut into more uniform pieces with uneven surfaces is called semi-dressed stone and that which is cut with smoother faces is referred to as fully-dressed or Ashlar stone. Fully-dressed stone is the most expensive choice.
It’s a good idea to explore the various looks that stone can provide while bearing in mind that both the materials you need and the construction of your walls will be more costly than when using bricks.
Gabion walls
Gabion walls are those constructed using large steel or wire cages packed with bricks or stones. This type of walling has traditionally been utilised to protect shorelines, riverbanks and slopes from erosion as the energy from flowing water is dissipated across the stones. These days, gabion walling is also used in gardens for both practical and aesthetic reasons.
Suitable for preventing erosion, dividing areas and providing a buffer for water features, gabion walling is strong, permeable and flexible. It can cope with natural ground movements and strengthens with age as silt and vegetation collects between the stones.
Gabion walling does not require conventional foundations and it possible to source stones in a wide range of sizes, colours and textures to create the perfect look. As gabion baskets are available in a variety of shapes and sizes including curved styles, gabion walls present endless possibilities.
If you are thinking about walling your garden, you may have concerns about the environmental impact of your project. Using locally sourced materials will enhance the environmental credentials of your walls as will choosing natural stone constructions including gabion walling. You could also consider building your walls from reclaimed bricks. It is worth noting that gabion walling is moveable and so can be repurposed in the future.
Many walls have positive impacts on the environment as they limit erosion and can enable the creation or preservation of water features that encourage biodiversity.
