Gabion baskets are a great way to maintain a natural look whilst maintaining a form of order on your landscape, but the price and lengths taken to prepare them may be too much for some people. That’s why in this blog we will be answering the question ‘Can you use interlocking concrete blocks instead of a gabion basket?’
As an established and trusted concrete provider, PPC Concrete Products aim to provide solutions for people in the construction industry. Alongside interlocking concrete blocks, we also provide concrete barriers.
For any building project, knowing the options you can select when it comes to concrete solutions can be extremely helpful when it comes to protecting access to your project, building it, and possibly saving you money.
PPC Concrete Products is here to provide the answers you may be looking for whilst giving you an insight into the quality concrete options we supply.
The demand for construction is only increasing, on a private and industrial level. Whether your work is private, or industrial, we are here to help.
What is a Gabion Basket?
A gabion basket is a cage-like structure, generally designed to hold rocks to create a natural aesthetic within landscaping. The wires that create the basket are made from a zinc-aluminium alloy that prevents corrosion.
Generally, a gabion basket is filled with medium to large-sized rocks, giving the illusion of a natural structure. It serves as a way to maintain a landscape whilst not compromising on the natural look of nature.
What is the lifespan of a Gabion Basket?
The lifespan of a gabion basket is 10 to 75 years, subjective to the environment it is placed in. The mesh is free from corrosion, but movement in the environment may cause the rocks to wear against the basket’s wiring, resulting in gradual wear and tear which could eventually break the wiring, compromising the whole structure.
The basics of interlocking concrete blocks
Interlocking Concrete Blocks are a unique form of pre-cast concrete blocks that are designed to hold together by using pre-measured studs and recesses. These concrete blocks are built with unique profiles and features, which allow them to fit perfectly into each other.
What are the advantages of interlocking concrete blocks?
- Longer lasting and more durable than a Gabion basket
- Quicker and less hassle to install
- No need for mortar, saving you money and time
- No need for steel reinforcement or shuttering
- Resistant to extreme weather conditions
- Fire-resistant properties, mitigating the spread of fire depending on structure
- Little maintenance required
- Often, no foundation is needed before installing
- Sound resistant
- Sustainable
- Ability to stack them upon each other
- Flexibility in sizes
- Appropriate for temporary and/or permanent buildings
- Unlikely to be displaced due to the interlocking function
- Can be moved with standard lifting equipment
Disadvantages of using interlocking concrete blocks
- Can’t be moved without machinery
- Can topple over if not placed on level ground
What are interlocking concrete blocks used for?
PPC Concrete Products supply interlocking concrete blocks, we can share with you what they are used for.
- Material Storage bays
- Blast walls
- Salt stores
- Crash protection
- Push walls
- Security barriers
- Segregation bays i.e recycling centres
- Retaining walls
- Industrial buildings
- Fire breaks
- Counterweights
- Roadblocks
Can you use interlocking concrete blocks instead of a gabion basket?
Yes, Interlocking concrete blocks can easily be used instead of a gabion basket. Interlocking concrete blocks take much less time to prepare in terms of placement, and generally don’t require foundations before placement either. Additionally, Interlocking concrete blocks are resilient, weather resistant and highly durable.
Gabion Baskets are a practical and aesthetic alternative for those wanting to maintain a natural element to their landscaping. However, the wiring that creates the basket is susceptible to breakage, which can result in the whole structure collapsing.
Interlocking concrete blocks are also much easier to move, relative to a full gabion basket. All they require is heavy-lifting machinery. Moving a gabion basket is difficult as they are generally filled with large rocks of varying shapes and sizes, making it difficult to move without the weight of the rocks re-distributing.
Is a Gabion Basket more expensive than interlocking concrete blocks?
Generally, gabion baskets are the more expensive alternative due to the intricate work required, manipulating the wiring to your specified size, placing the basket and filling the basket with the right size and amount of rocks, then sealing the basket together, not to mention transport and any other requests. Extra costs can also include making foundations for the baskets to be placed.
Interlocking concrete blocks are made from a pre-cast mould, you choose the size and amount you need, and it is delivered to you, interlocking concrete blocks are generally a cheaper option but again is completely subjective to the project you have in the works.
How much do interlocking concrete blocks cost?
If you are considering the cost of our interlocking concrete blocks, we encourage you to get in touch. Having a solid idea of what you intend to use the blocks for, including the space they’re going into, and how much you need will make it easier for us to give you a quote.
Understandably, the cost will be dependent on the amount required, and the sizes of the individual blocks you require.
However, if you’re still deciding whether or not to use our blocks, and would like specific questions to be answered in relation to your project, we are happy to provide all the information you need once you get in contact.
Styles of interlocking concrete blocks
Our team at PPC Concrete Products supplies different types of interlocking concrete blocks. Though we have a variety of options when it comes to the interlocking concrete blocks that we make.
The way our blocks are made is by having a casting of the dimensions mentioned below and depending on the option chosen, the cast is then filled with concrete. Each block has a Lifting pin anchor system embedded in the concrete at the point of casting – this is how the blocks are moved once the concrete is set.
After setting, the cast is then removed and the blocks are transported to their destination.
we offer the option for your block to be:
- Standard Blocks
- Flat Top Standard Blocks
- Rock Face Block
- Rock Face Flat Top Block
To view what these options look like, take a look at our gallery.
Here are our size options:
- 300 x 600 x 600
- 600 x 600 x 600
- 900 x 600 x 600
- 1200 x 600 x 600
- 1500 x 600 x 600
- 1800 x 600 x 600
- 400 x 800 x 800
- 800 x 800 x 800
- 1200 x 800 x 800
- 1600 x 800 x 800
Half and thirds of the sizes displayed are also offered with your order if needed.
Place an order for interlocking concrete blocks today
As an established supplier all over the UK, PPC Concrete Products is always happy to help, which is why we encourage you to get in touch with any questions you may have or take a look at our FAQ.
In this article, we hope to have answered the question ‘Can you use interlocking concrete blocks instead of a gabion basket?’ Whilst also providing extra information in regard to construction and the benefits of our interlocking concrete blocks.
Take a read of our case studies to truly understand how we have provided solutions for business in the past with the use of our interlocking concrete blocks, and ultimately, how we can help you today.
Read our blog page for more insights into our passion, construction.
Address:
The Old Gasworks,
Higginshaw Lane,
Royton,
Oldham,
OL2 6HQ
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday – 8 AM til 4 PM
Tel: 01706 655245
Email: info@ppcconcreteproducts.co.uk
