New at AB:We Are Currently Calling AB Trained Contractors! Have You Heard From Us Yet?

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Becoming an AB Certified Contractor has many benefits, one of them being a chance to receive rewards for you and/or your trained crews’ hard work in building Allan Block retaining walls. Every AB project that is completed — providing minimum requirements are met — is eligible for submission for this exclusive program.

Here’s how the process works –

• Fill out the Contractor Rewards Card (or your AB sales rep can, also)
• E-mail the completed pdf form to info@allanblock.com
• Receive a reward!

Geogrid is a cornerstone for retaining walls. It is a cost-effective and efficient reinforcement option to provide strength and longevity to nearly any wall. Simply cut your grid at the required length, roll out on top of your blocks and behind the wall, backfill, and compact. The key ideas to remember are proper orientation for the grid type you are using, and “No Gaps, No Overlaps”. So how does this come into play for a wall with corners or curves?

Inside Corners

For inside corners, to eliminate the gap that will occur behind the corner, we will require additional grid. To determine this, we will look at our overall wall height. The grid will need to be:

• Extended past the inside corner an additional length of 25% the overall wall height
• Place grid running in the opposite direction on the next course requiring grid in the same manner.

Outside Corners

For outside corners, we want to eliminate overlapping geogrid layers. To eliminate overlap, we will want to alternate the grid direction at the corners.

• Install grid along face as normal to the corner on the initial course
• Place grid running in the opposite direction or perpendicular on the next course requiring grid in the same manner.

Inside Curves

Much like inside corners, with inside curves, we are focused on eliminating gaps between grid layers. However, with inside curves, we must also consider overlap as well. To solve this, we will begin adding grid layers at each course along the curves.

• Lay out primary grid around the curve ensuring it is butting against the back of the block lips
• Mark on the block where there are gaps in the grid
• On next course of blocks, place additional grid layers at center of gap marks of primary grid layers to provide complete coverage

Outside Curves

For outside curves, we are again primarily focused with eliminating overlapping grid layers. To eliminate overlap, we will simply place initial fill between overlapping layers.

• Lay out grid along curve ensuring it is butting against the back of the block lips
• Lift overlapping grid sections and place fill material to provide separation between layers
• Ensure 3in (75mm) of fill between layers
• NEVER compact directly on the geogrid

For more information regarding retaining wall and grid installation, check out our Residential and Commercial Installation Manuals, or reach out to our engineering department at engineering@allanblock.com or 800-899-5309 ext.3.

Maximizing options with your potential customers is important if you are running a successful business. And lets face it, sites are getting tighter as development or renovations appear to be on top of each other. Therefore, it is so important to have the AB Fence as an option moving forward. This system will provide the privacy and screening your customers desire.

The best part is that we have everything you need to be successful. The AB Fence system has been around for over 20 years, which means we have the tools and programs to support your efforts. These include:

• AB Fence Contractor Certification Course – Get trained and be ready
• Installation Manuals and Tech Sheets – Quick and easy references for your common questions.
• Step by Step Installation Instructions
• Photo Gallery and Project Case Studies for inspirational ideas and to help sell your services
• AB Estimating Tool – having the right material makes every project better. This tool does both walls and fences.

From small trash enclosures to privacy fences and even larger sound barriers, the AB Fence can help you provide additional services. So the next time you are talking with a customer or looking at a grading plan and a fence is required, do not hesitate - give them the option of the AB Fence and let us help you take the next step.

Allan Block is expanding the services we provide to you by offering to create 3D models of your projects.

We know visualizing a project before the first block is even placed can be difficult for customers. And for some, it could be impossible. Clients put a lot of trust in the engineers who design them, the contractors that build them, and the folks they buy their Allan Blocks from to follow their visions through. Estimating the blocks needed and materials required obviously helps, but what if you could take it a step further?

Allan Block now offers a 3D Modeling Concept Illustration Service, where you can send us ideas and sketches for project proposals, and we will send you back a 3D rendering of what that future wall or patio will look like.

If your customers can see firsthand what their property can be pre-construction, the probability of closing that sale becomes even greater. The Sales Support team at Allan Block is excited to help you with this brand-new available amenity; here is how it works –

• Fill out the 3D Concept Request Form with proper project proposal information
• Send it back to us at salessupport@allanblock.com
• Allow 3 to 5 business days for processing
• Receive back the 3D image files to then showcase to your customer

Let us help you close the deal!!!!