Clitheroe
Shap
Horwich, Bolton
Chorley
Horwich, Bolton
Clitheroe
Shap
Horwich, Bolton
Chorley
Horwich, Bolton
Gabion walls have become a go-to solution in modern construction and landscaping thanks to their strength, versatility, and natural appearance.
Whether you’re building a retaining wall on a steep slope, protecting a riverbank from erosion, or simply adding a striking feature to your garden design, gabions offer a practical and visually appealing answer.
At Armstrongs, we’ve supplied high-quality stone for gabion applications across the UK for decades.
With access to some of the finest quarried materials, including gritstone, granite, and sandstone, we help our customers build structures that last and look great doing it.
In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about gabion walls. We’ll explain what a gabion is, how gabion walls are constructed, the materials involved, and the top 10 benefits of using this unique stone cage system in both functional and decorative projects.
A gabion is a wire cage or basket filled with stone, concrete, or occasionally other materials, used in both civil engineering and landscaping. The word "gabion" comes from the Italian gabbione, meaning "big cage," and these structures have a long history, from military fortifications in ancient times to flood prevention systems today.
When we refer to a gabion wall, we’re talking about an arrangement of these cages, typically stacked and aligned to create a structural or aesthetic wall.
Gabion walls are used to retain soil, prevent erosion, manage water flow, reduce noise, and provide attractive, natural-looking features in built environments. They’re a practical alternative to concrete or brick walls, especially in areas where drainage and flexibility are key.
The basic structure of a gabion wall consists of metal cages, usually galvanised steel or PVC-coated wire, that are strong enough to withstand pressure from both the fill material and the surrounding environment.
These cages are then filled with durable, angular stone that locks together naturally, allowing for stability without the need for mortar.
At Armstrongs, we supply a wide selection of gabion-grade stone direct from our own quarries. Our materials are selected for their strength, angularity, and visual appeal. Whether you’re after the warm tones of sandstone or the rugged durability of granite, we can supply the ideal stone to suit both functional needs and design goals.
Using quality stone not only enhances the structural integrity of your gabion wall, it also elevates its aesthetic impact.
Gravity gabion walls are one of the most common types we supply stone for. These structures rely purely on their own mass to resist the pressure from soil behind them.
Because they don’t require mortar or reinforcement, they’re often used in landscaping projects, garden terraces, and smaller retaining wall builds.
The weight of the stone-filled cages provides all the stability needed, especially on sloped or uneven ground. They're simple, effective, and offer a natural-looking solution where traditional concrete might look too harsh.
For taller or more demanding applications, such as supporting highways, railway embankments, or high-load retaining systems, reinforced gabion walls are the go-to solution.
These walls incorporate additional support systems like geogrids or steel tiebacks to enhance stability, especially where water pressure or soil movement is significant.
At Armstrongs, we often supply heavy-duty rock cage retaining wall materials for these jobs, where both strength and drainage performance are critical.
Gabions aren’t just for retaining soil. More and more, we’re seeing them used as architectural elements, from stylish fencing and decorative garden seating to planters and modern façade features.
With the right stone and cage design, stone cages for retaining walls can double as both structure and statement piece. They allow designers and homeowners to bring rugged, natural textures into urban or landscaped spaces, with creative flair and minimal maintenance.
Gabion walls offer a look that’s difficult to match with brick or concrete. The raw texture of stone, especially when paired with local materials, blends effortlessly into surrounding landscapes.
Whether you’re using them in a rural countryside garden or a modern urban project, a gabion wall made with our premium stone adds both function and natural beauty.
The use of stones in wire cages creates a textured, layered effect that’s visually engaging and inherently timeless.
Because gabion walls are made up of loosely packed stone within wire cages, they allow water to pass through freely. This natural drainage reduces hydrostatic pressure behind the wall, preventing the common issues of water buildup and soil saturation.
It’s one of the reasons gabions are so well-suited to sloped or water-prone sites.
When you combine galvanised or coated steel cages with dense, angular stone, like the kind we supply from our quarries, you get a wall that’s built to withstand the test of time. Gabions are incredibly resistant to erosion, impact, and shifting ground.
With little risk of cracking or crumbling, they’re a smart long-term investment for both structural and aesthetic projects.
Gabions are often seen as a green building option. Not only do they make use of natural or recycled stone, but they also allow for vegetation to grow between the stones over time, especially in rural environments.
This blend of structure and soft landscaping makes them ideal for projects aiming to enhance biodiversity and reduce visual impact.
One of the main reasons gabion walls are so popular is their affordability. Compared to poured concrete or block walls, gabions are generally less expensive to install.
The simple construction process doesn’t require specialist equipment, and much of the work can be done manually, especially for smaller applications.
Gabion walls excel in managing water and preventing erosion. We often supply gabion stone for riverbanks, coastal lines, and infrastructure around culverts and bridges. Because water flows through the structure instead of against it, pressure is reduced and sediment is retained. In areas prone to washouts, wire cages for rocks provide an effective and environmentally sympathetic defence.
Gabion walls aren’t just functional, they’re practical for acoustic management too. The irregular surfaces of the stones help absorb and deflect sound waves, making them useful as sound barriers in both residential and commercial developments.
Thanks to their modular design, gabion walls are easy to scale and adjust. They can follow natural contours and cope with soil movement better than rigid structures. That makes them ideal for projects on unstable ground or complex terrains.
Once installed, gabion walls require very little upkeep. There’s no need for painting, sealing, or routine repairs. The stone doesn’t rot or warp, and the cages, when made from quality galvanised or PVC-coated wire, can last for decades even in harsh conditions.
Gabions are more flexible in design than many assume. With different cage sizes, stone colours, and installation styles available, the creative potential is huge. Whether you want a rough, natural gabion stone wall or a sleek, uniform cage stone wall, our team can help you choose the best stone for your vision.
Gabion walls are a popular and practical choice for retaining earth on sloped or uneven terrain. Their weight and flexibility make them ideal for stabilising banks, terraces, or elevated garden areas.
We often supply stone cage retaining wall materials for projects like this, where the combination of strength and drainage is key.
Because the structure naturally follows the contours of the land, it works especially well in gardens, parks, and roadside embankments.
You’ll also find gabion structures widely used for erosion protection, particularly in coastal, riverbank, and flood-prone environments. The metal cages for stones are strong enough to hold their shape under pressure, while the voids between the rocks in cages allow water to pass through freely.
This combination of strength and permeability prevents scouring and sediment displacement — helping to protect both built and natural environments.
Gabions have come a long way from purely functional structures. These days, they’re a feature in many modern landscapes. They can double up as benches, garden walls, property boundaries, planters, or even outdoor fireplaces.
Whether you want a rugged, natural look or a sleek, geometric design, gabions offer a creative solution with a practical edge.
From highways and railways to drainage systems and bridge abutments, gabions play an essential role in civil engineering.
Their modular nature allows engineers to build quickly and adjust to changes in terrain, while the structure's durability ensures long-term performance under pressure.
At Armstrongs, we’re proud to supply gabion wall materials for both decorative and infrastructure-scale applications.
We’ve been supplying stone for gabion applications for decades, and we know exactly what works. Our gabion-grade stone is carefully selected for its strength, angularity, and consistency in size, which are all essential for a stable, well-compacted fill.
Whether you're working on a small residential garden or a major infrastructure project, we can provide the volume and quality you need.
Our stone is locally sourced from our own quarries, reducing transportation emissions and supporting regional sustainability goals. That means you're not only getting gabion stone wall material that performs well, you're also making a more environmentally conscious choice.
With a reliable and responsive supply chain, Armstrongs ensures your project runs smoothly from start to finish. No last-minute shortages. No compromises on quality. Just consistent, dependable gabion stone from a supplier you can trust.
Gabion walls serve a wide range of purposes, from holding back soil in retaining applications to controlling erosion in riverside or coastal locations. They’re also widely used in landscaping for fencing, planters, seating, and decorative features.
With the right installation and materials, gabion walls can last anywhere from 50 to 100 years. The longevity comes from the combination of high-quality stone and galvanised or coated steel mesh that resists corrosion and degradation over time.
We recommend using angular stone between 100mm and 200mm for most gabion baskets. This size range ensures good interlocking between stones, which minimises movement and creates a solid, well-drained structure.
While smaller garden walls may only need a level, compacted base, larger gabion walls or those under significant pressure should be installed on a properly compacted gravel foundation to prevent settling and ensure long-term stability.
Absolutely. Gabions are increasingly popular in both commercial and residential landscaping for their modern, natural aesthetic. With the right stone choice, gabion walls can enhance both the function and appearance of a space.
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