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Hello @AJ-DIYer
Thank you for sharing your question about building a cinder block garden wall. I suggest having a quick look at this discussion - Advice needed to lay brick-raised flower bed by @Brunnie_Rich. Although the discussion is referring to bricks, the techniques and principles used to lay them down are all applicable to cinder blocks.
A solid foundation is essential when laying down cinderblocks. Failure to put a proper base in will cause the block wall to lean crack and eventually fall. My number one piece of advice before you begin is to compact the soil with a plate compactor. This will prevent the soil from subsiding and give you piece of mind that your foundation will not sink into the soil.
I suggest using mortar to join the cinder blocks together as it will cover more area when compared to landscaping liquid nails.
Here are some handy step-by-step guides:
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
Hello @AJ-DIYer
Would it be possible for you to post a photo of the render you are referring to? Is it the one on the video link you posted? The general steps to rendering brick or cinder block walls are the same. The surface must be free of dirt and debris. It is recommended that a primer be used on the surface of the wall to provide an ideal bonding surface for the render. Once the primer cures, you can then apply the render to the wall.
Here are some handy step-by-step guides.
In regards to your question about which material you should use, I suggest using cinder blocks if you are attaching a bench to it. However, please note that the gaps inside the cinder blocks must be filled with builder's mix and the wall reinforced with a reinforcing bar. In the interest of safety, I suggest engaging the services of an engineer and asking them about the viability of anchoring a bench seat onto your cinder block wall. If the load on the wall exceeds its tolerance, the chair will buckle and the wall will collapse. I suggest building a floor-standing seat so that there is no load on the wall.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
Hi @AJ-DIYer
I just finished a 2 row besser or cinder garden wall. You want to go 3 bricks Height thats 600 ml, It really sounds like your retaining earth ie a retaining wall which will need a solid foundation like @EricL said. Your local council will have some minimum specifications too. But 600 mm height should be under planning approval height, I meantion this so you can build a great wall lol no one can question later on.
If you want that to be a forever wall I highly recommend a bare minimum of a 300x 300 square cement footing with trench steel along the entire length. I also recommend an agriculture pipe to drain water build up bedded in crushed 20 blue metal rocks behind the wall if you know water collects in that area. Once you have that footing 300 x300 the wall will be a breeze to make with two pegs and a taunt string line . And please use mortar mix it wont take you long to get he hang of it. make sure you use waterproof gloves as cement will dry your hands out touching it. I used liquide nails in the garden gluing loose bricks in after a bumping them loose it seams to fail in two years and this surprised me.
I think EricL meantioned you can fill the insides of the besser/ cinder blocks(Cement sand or soil) and that makes them near indestructable
I love working with the 390 x 190 blocks as they are easy to build with and the naturally are stable even uncemented when you lay them over lapped like brick,
If you want to try no cement foundation well that is possible but movment may occur at later time.
Scrape out flat dirt base and simply water for a couple days and earth will settle fast enough (dont use sand here) Go for it lay your cinder blocks and pack them in a little dirt and water it the added dirt will find hollows and lock the blocks it tighter and wash underneath fillin any viods. and there is the option of earth filling thr bricks. Ilke doing this as it add thremal insulation to plant roots from a hot sun.
Hello @AJ-DIYer
I suggest having a good look at these amazing seat projects shared by our Workshop members:
- Twin garden seat by @WoodenGregsWood
- Outdoor bench seats and planter boxes by @Poppop
- Gabion wall bench seat build project by @tony1982
In relation to the garden wall height, if the rules in your area say a maximum height of 600cm is only allowed, that's pretty much how high you can go. Can you please confirm if it is in centimetres or millimetres as 600cm is six meters? However, if you wish to go past that height, it might be necessary to get a permit or submit an engineering plan for approval.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
