Stoneware customization

Basket or screen as closure, planter and much more

Since the buxus moth has been targeting Flemish hedges and shrubs, we have seen more and more stone gabions appear in the streetscape. Indeed, the beam-shaped wire nets, filled with crushed stones, provide a more robust closure to front gardens and driveways. However, the possibilities are much more extensive. Specialist in garden construction materials E.L.S. Garden solves various functional and aesthetic expectations with customization.

Text Elise Noyez    |    Image E.L.S. Garden

The sleek front yard with gravel path and a stone basket along the street or plot boundary is by now well known. But stone baskets can also be incorporated into a modern garden project as a higher fence, planter, bench, design element or even a mailbox. The following choices are available:

Basket or screen?

A distinction is made between stone baskets on the one hand and stone screens on the other. In the first case, the stone mass is almost completely wrapped by wire nets; in the second case, the end edges are closed off with granite posts, between which wire nets are stretched. As with concrete closures, additional intermediate posts are provided for large lengths. The top remains open, or the stone fence is finished with a granite capstone.

Stone baskets are a well-known alternative to the hedge, but elements such as mailboxes, benches and planters are also available.

Because the posts of a stone screen are anchored 50 to 60 centimeters deep in the ground, this solution is more solid than a stone basket. Consequently, higher and narrower fences can be realized. A stone basket, on the other hand, offers more flexibility in terms of shape.

Design

While the application of stone screens is limited to straight walls and closures, stone baskets can be realized in different shapes. In addition to the well-known beam shape, squares, diamonds, and other geometric shapes are among the possibilities. In exceptional cases, and with the right material, even round shapes can be created. Internally, different zones can also be provided, so that in the same stone basket various colors of filling material can be combined in a particular pattern.

Dimensions

Both stone screens and stone baskets are available in standard sizes. For screens, it is a standard length of 250 cm on the mesh, and heights of 100 or 200 cm. Posts are available in depths of 18 or 28 cm. As standard, stackable stone baskets, E.L.S. Garden then has beams of 100 x 30 x 50 cm or of 200 x 30 x 50 cm available, although customization is much more common here. This is done with extremely durable galfan wire nets of 200 by 200 cm, with meshes of 50 x 50 mm, which are cut and mechanically joined to achieve the right shape.

Stone baskets offer enormous freedom in terms of design. A clever (color) combination of filling materials completes the picture.

Fill material

Much of the character of a stone screen or stone basket is determined by the fill material. To this end, E.L.S. Garden has a wide selection of de-grained round and broken stones in various shades, from neutral gray to pink or cream.

In any case, the dimensions of the filler material should be matched to the mesh of the wire mesh. For example, for a net of 50 x 50 mm, the standard for stone baskets, it is best to choose a gauge 40/80 or larger.

Placement

E.L.S. Garden designs and manufactures the stone baskets, and is responsible for supplying both the baskets and the filling material. However, filling and assembly must be carried out on site. In support, the specialist provides information and advice on anchoring and stabilization, as well as a week's supply of ring clamp pliers with each purchase for closing and finishing the baskets.