{"id":6490,"date":"2019-10-03T09:56:44","date_gmt":"2019-10-03T09:56:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/landscapy.com\/?p=158"},"modified":"2019-10-03T09:56:44","modified_gmt":"2019-10-03T09:56:44","slug":"build-your-own-bench-from-gabions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mygardenguide.com\/build-your-own-bench-from-gabions\/","title":{"rendered":"Build your own bench from gabions"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Garden design with gabions is very trendy. Here we explain step by step how you can build your own personal bench from gabions.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Bench
\u00a9 maho – Fotolia.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What would the home garden be without a comfortable place to sit, rest, put your legs up and look at the fruits of your labour in the garden? Garden benches come in a wide variety of colours and shapes, and the materials are also different. The range extends from the simple plastic bench to the noble teak bench or the nostalgically playful metal bench. If modern alternatives are sought for the garden seat, more and more concrete or stone play a role. Now you can find out how to build a garden bench from gabions yourself.<\/p>\n

What are gabions anyway?<\/h2>\n

A gabion is nothing else than a stone basket, a wire basket which can hold stones. Gabions are often used in landscaping or road construction. They are used to build retaining walls or soundproofing systems. This provides an alternative to conventional dry stone walls. Gabions can also be used very well as an alternative to solid concrete walls or stone walls.<\/p>\n

Advantages of gabions?<\/h2>\n

Gabions have long since found their way into domestic gardens. They prove to be true all-rounders and cut a fine figure as fences, walls, privacy screens or flexible decorative and fastening elements. There are probably cheaper solutions, but the advantages of gabions speak for themselves.<\/p>\n

You decide on a weather-resistant material that offers a clear advantage over a wooden fence. The stone baskets are not only robust, they also require hardly any maintenance. Wood must be cleaned and impregnated regularly. Gabions are quickly brought back into shape with a water hose. A whole range of decorative possibilities can be implemented in the garden. Walls, fences, columns, planters, raised beds or the bank described here are only a small part of it.<\/p>\n

What are gabions filled with?<\/h2>\n

During filling, a distinction can be made between pouring baskets and masonry stone baskets. Loading baskets are completely filled with ballast. Basalt or granite are mostly used. Baskets of masonry stones are also filled with gravel, but on the visible fronts they are veneered with slabs or masonry stones. In the garden there are no limits to the filling of the gabions, pebbles can be used as well as clay bricks, limestone, wooden parts or empty bottles. If you like, you can illuminate your gabions in different ways or upgrade them with climbing plants.<\/p>\n

How are gabions filled correctly?<\/h2>\n
\"Filling
\u00a9 Brilliant Eye – Fotolia.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

First of all, you will be sure to choose a material that suits you and the design of the garden bench and the rest of the ambience in the garden. Also pay attention to the size of the filling material, because it must not be too small, otherwise it will slip through the grid.<\/p>\n

To prevent gaps from forming, the stones on the floor should be layered individually so that a closed surface is created. Fill the gabions from the outside to the inside by first piling up an outer edge and then filling this stable layer on the inside. Gaps can be avoided to a large extent. To ensure that the grille can be closed without problems, the closure should be particularly straight.<\/p>\n

Build your own bench from gabions – step by step<\/h2>\n

What is needed?<\/strong><\/p>\n

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  • Gabions as required<\/li>\n
  • Filling material as required<\/li>\n
  • Floorboards for the seating area<\/li>\n
  • spotlights or other decorative elements as required<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    What to do?<\/strong><\/p>\n

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    1. Preparing the substrate<\/li>\n
    2. Assembly of gabions<\/li>\n
    3. Filling the gabions<\/li>\n
    4. Cutting the seat to size<\/li>\n
    5. Fastening the seat surface<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      First select a location for the new garden bench. This should not automatically be your favourite place in the garden, because it is important to remember that the finished bench has a lot of weight and must therefore stand on a firm and stable surface. First level the surface to create a straight surface. Furthermore, the soil must be compacted, otherwise it can happen that the finished bench literally sinks into the soil.<\/p>\n

      “Tip:<\/strong> After compacting the soil, apply an additional layer of ballast.<\/p>\n

      Now the gabions are set up. The individual parts of the baskets must be connected to the spirals supplied for this purpose. Once the gabions have been assembled, fill in the stones as described above. If you would like to upgrade your garden bench and provide lighting, the spotlights can be integrated during the filling process.<\/p>\n

      Once the gabions have been filled, care must be taken to ensure a straight finish. The seat is now attached there. Cut the planks to size and provide the seat with wood protection. It is particularly decorative if you use the same wood for the gabion bench that may already have been used on the terrace or garden house. You can connect the seat with the gabions, for example, by screwing on the angles on the underside of the wooden planks.<\/p>\n