Stepping Down Your Retaining Wall

One of the unique benefits that sets Allan Block apart from other retaining wall systems is a great variety of options for ending and stepping down retaining walls. With Allan Block, you can turn retaining wall ends into the hillside with smooth flowing curves, corners or simple step downs. No other wall system gives you as many choices for finishing off your retaining wall project.

Step Downs

For a gradual step down, use the half-high blocks - AB Lite Stone from the AB Collection, AB Aztec Collection, or AB Barcelona from the AB Europa Collection.

For a full course step down, use the AB Corner Blocks from the AB, AB Metropolitan, AB Aztec or AB Europa Collection or for AB Fieldstone see page 36 for details.

For a step down that doubles as a planter, turn the wall in 2 or 3 blocks after a corner.

Create a soft ending to the wall by using an inside curve while stepping down.

Turn-Ins

The simplest and easiest method of ending an Allan Block wall is to use smooth flowing curves that turn back into the hillside.

For a graceful, flowing end to the wall, curve the wall to create a plantable area that can soften the look of the wall.

For a natural flow into the landscape curve the wall back into the hillside.

The benefits of curving the wall back into the hillside include:

• less time & expense to build
• no corner blocks
• superior erosion control
• attractive design

For a dramatic end to the wall, use a corner to turn the wall back into the hillside. See information on stepping up the wall for installation details.

Tip: Walls with ends that turn back into the hillside help prevent erosion behind the wall.