Build Strong Walls - Get a Great Night's Sleep!

Backyard Landcapes Built to Last a Lifetime

Building an outdoor pool and entertainment area on a sloping hillside presented a fun challenge for Dan Swartz of Brown/Woods and Associates, a landscape design-build contractor, in Champaign, Il. The homeowners wanted the job done so it would stand the test of time and provide a second return on their investment.

John Brown, co-owner of Brown/Woods and Associates, has seen his share of deteriorating retaining walls. He recalls, "Over the years, I have seen retaining walls built poorly by both homeowners and landscape contractors. Proper construction is the key; walls will last forever if they are built correctly. That's why we like Allan Block’s AB Grid so much. It makes it easy to build strong retaining walls."

For this project, Brown/Woods constructed a series of three retaining walls to create a level surface for the swimming pool deck. A 22-foot wide (7 m) staircase was also installed to provide access from the home to the pool deck. Since the upper wall was quite close to the house, the 3-foot wide (0.9 m) AB Grid roll was the perfect reinforcement choice. Over 750 square feet (229 m) of wall was reinforced, grid installation was quick and simple; AB Grid was rolled out right along the wall face.

Brown was very pleased with his experience using AB Grid. "These small rolls are the greatest thing since sliced bread - we always keep a few rolls in stock. It's like insurance. We throw it in the truck, install it on every retaining wall more than four courses high - and it helps us sleep great at night. The AB Grid is inexpensive and the cost is insignificant when you look at the total project,” stated Brown.

The homeowners wanted a backyard "room with a view" to extend their living space and take advantage of the beautiful lot and stunning views. The homeowner selected a blended color block from the AB Europa Collection. "It's nice to have color and style options. You can get some unique looks and distinctive designs with Allan Block,” added Swartz.

The integrated lighting and the matching staircase were special features that really delighted the homeowners. According to Swartz, "The nicest part of the project is how proud the homeowners are and how excited they are to show off their new outdoor living space. They are going to entertain and enjoy it for years to come, and I know that it will look as good in 20 years as it does today."