Building an AB Courtyard Posts and Pillars

Building Posts in Soil or on Existing Patios or Pavement

Step 1: Layout

If building on an existing surface, determine the location and placement of the post/pillar. Go to Step 5.

Determine the location of the post/pillar and lay the first course of block to establish where to dig the foundation pad.

Step 2: Build Foundation*

Mark the location of the post/pillar with a shovel, remove the blocks and dig a hole 24 in. square and 4 in. deep (600mm x 100 mm).

Step 3: Fill

Place 4 in. (100 mm) of base rock in the hole and compact using a hand tamper.

*NOTE: The soil beneath the foundation pad must be a good quality compactable material. If soft soils are encountered, they will need to be removed and replaced with additional base rock. A good foundation will ensure a stable post/pillar for years to come.

Step 4: Level

Level the foundation pad. Make any adjustments as needed by adding or removing the base rock.

Step 5: Build

Install the first course with 4 Corner Blocks with the long sides facing out. Square up the blocks, tamp into place and level.

Courtyard post corner block placement odd and even courses

Courtyard post location foundation install with rock compact

Step 6: Continue Building

Determine the location of the post/pillar and lay the first course of block to establish where to dig the foundation pad.

Step 7: Finish

Finish the post/pillar with two Post Caps. Secure the Post Caps in place with a bead of flexible concrete adhesive along the outside edge of the top course of Corner Blocks and then set the Post Caps in place.

Additional Information:

Taller posts/pillars will require some added stability. See How-to sheet #140 Building Taller Posts/Pillars for more helpful construction techniques.
If building your wall panel with posts/pillars, interlock them together for added stability. See How-to sheet #230 Interlocking Walls & Posts.
If installing a gate or railing to a Courtyard post, see How-to sheet #420 for proper installation details.
For more information on building posts on soil or an existing patio see How-to sheet #220 for proper installation details.

Courtyard post location level foundation

Courtyard post first course level and adjust

Courtyard post second course offset from blocks below

Built on existing foundation

Built on soil

Base Rock Materials when Building on Soil

Using the proper materials to create the base foundation for wall panels and post/pillars is important when building on soil. We recommend using a compactible base rock material that is gravel in varying sizes of angular or smooth aggregates similar to the wall rock used in retaining walls or a road/paver base type material.

Wall Rock

Road/Paver Base

Adding Stability to Posts/Pillars

The AB Courtyard Collection is designed to let you build a variety of project types. For taller posts/pillars you may find it desirable to add reinforcement to increase the stability.

Download (.pdf)
How-To Sheet #140

Download
Install Guide

Option 1: Adding Strength with a Concrete Pile & Sonotube

You Will Need:

8 in. sonotube(200 mm), cut to desired length
Posthole digger
Ready mix concrete
Rebar (as required based on application)

Note For All Post/Pillar Construction:

The soil beneath the foundation pad must be a good quality compactable material. If soft soils are encountered, you will need to remove and replace them with additional base rock. A good foundation will ensure a stable post/pillar for years to come.

Step 1: Layout

Determine the location of the post/pillar and lay the first course of block to establish where to dig the foundation pad.

AB Courtyard Reinforced Post/Pillar section

Step 2: Foundation

Mark the location of the post/pillar with a shovel, remove the blocks and dig a 24 in. (600 mm) square, 4 in. (100 mm) deep hole. Using a post hole digger, dig a hole for the sonotube approximately 3 ft (1.0 m) deep with a 8 in. (200 mm) diameter to accommodate for a 8 in. (200 mm) sonotube in the center of the foundation pad.

Step 3: Sonotube

Mark and horizontally cut the sonotube so that the tube will extend up within the top 3 courses of the post/pillar. Install bracing (if necessary) on the sonotube 12 in. (300 mm) from the bottom. Next place the sonotube in the post hole and install vertical bracing to hold the sonotube in a level upright position.

Step 4: Concrete Piles

Pour the concrete mixture into the top of the sonotube until both the sonotube and the post hole are filled. Make sure the sonotube is level and plumb. (Rebar can be added while concrete is wet, as required based on application). Allow concrete to set a minimum of 4 hours before proceeding. Once the concrete is set, remove the vertical and horizontal bracing on the sonotube.

Step 5: Foundation

Fill around the sonotube with 4 in. (100 mm) of base rock to build the post/pillar foundation. Use a hand tamper to compact. Level foundation pad from front to back and side to side, making adjustments where needed. A level foundation pad will ensure a level and plumb post/pillar.

AB Courtyard Reinforced Post/Pillar layout

Post Layout

Step 6: Base Course

Install the first course with 4 Corner Blocks with the long sides facing out. Square up the blocks, tamp into place and level.

Step 7: Continue Building

Continue stacking courses, alternating between the patterns to offset the seams from the course below until the desired height is achieved. Do not stack the blocks up in stacked bond (seams should not create a straight line the full height of the post/pillar).

Step 8: Finish

Finish the post/pillar with two Post Caps. Secure the Wall Caps in place with a bead of flexible concrete adhesive along the outside edge of the top course of Corner Blocks and then set the Post Caps in place.

Corner Block

More Options: Building Posts/Pillars in Soils or
Adding Additional Stability

Use one of these three additional options when building in soft soil conditions. If building with posts/pillars and panels, interlock the panels into the posts/pillars for additional stability. See How-to sheet #230: Interlocking Walls and Posts.