In addition, our Allan Block 3D Modeling Tool, which works with our AB Apps, continues to assist professionals who want to bring their hardscape projects to life.

As winter comes around the corner, so does the training season.

Check out Allan Block's Contractor Certification Class. Over 500 contractors go through the course every year to become a Allan Block Certified Installer.

Why attend a certification course?

• Learn the industry standards for installing segmental retaining walls safely
• Handle the products before you get to a jobsite
• Become a certified wall installer

Why become a Certified Installer?

• Become eligible to bid on project that specify certified contractors
• Have a leg up on your competition
• Stand out to potential clients by promoting your certification level and your AB resume (email us or ask your AB sales rep. for a link to yours)
• Allan Block's discount/connection with HomeAdvisor!
• And much, much more!

To find a class near you, check our training schedule. If there is not one scheduled in your area, you can request a class!

See you there!

How long does it take you to estimate a retaining wall with all of its materials? Would you like a tool that makes estimating faster and more accurate?

Well, you’re in luck. Allan Block has an Estimating Tool for that. The AB Estimating Tool helps create complete estimates, not just block and caps but also the amount of grid, volume of soil, volume of rock, amount of drain pipe, and more. You will also have the ability to estimate multiple walls in 1 file.

See the example worksheet that prints off based on your project entries.

You can download the AB Estimating Tool from our Website.

For more information contact us at info@allanblock.com

In Parts 1 and 2 of this series, we covered planning for the potential of your project, actually starting your design, what to consider for your desired wall height, and surcharge loading above your wall. You can find those past articles in this year’s second and third quarter Contractor Newsletters. Today we want to talk about adding flair or style to your wall. Straight walls are great and very functional, but adding character to your wall with curves, corners, patterns, stairs etc. can create that show piece for your client’s property.

Curves

Curves and serpentines can add a tremendous amount of character to your project with very little extra effort or expense. To build an inside curve, you simply fan out the Allan Block units. For outside curves, you can easily remove the rear wing from the units to allow the wall to bend to follow the curve. When laying out a curved wall, a simple trick is to use a garden hose to map out where the wall face will be.

Corners

While curves are always preferred for any SRW system for easy construction, outside and inside 90 degree corners are easy to build because we have a manufactured outside 90 degree corner block. The standard wall blocks are easily modified for the inside corner, with no special block required. When building a corner, we recommend building outwards, as this will limit the amount of cutting. When cutting a block is needed, it is easy to do with a diamond blade on your skill saw or with a commercial grade masonry saw.

Geogrid can be easily used in curved walls or corners by simply following the installation instructions in our two install manuals, the Residential or Commercial Installation Manual. Simply flare the grid apart or together to follow the inside or outside curve.

Patterned Walls

Patterned walls are the ultimate in style. AB Ashlar, AB Abbey, or AB Aztec Blend are 4-block systems that will up-scale any wall you are working on. They are built like any of Allan Block’s single block walls, but with these blocks, you follow a preset pattern to increase efficiency or randomize your pattern to fit the character of the wall and client you are building it for.

Stay tuned for our next newsletter where we will continue with Part 4 of the series and provide more information on designing stairs, water features and top of wall finishing options.