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Building Columns and Seat Walls

22:50
42:32
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Retaining Wall Skills: Beginner to Advanced

What happens here

This segment focuses on building columns and seat walls. The process involves using half-units (blocks split lengthwise). A key tip is to always separate the left and right halves of split blocks into different stacks, then alternate between them when building each course. This ensures a consistent pattern. The column is built up with each course glued together for stability. Seat walls follow similar construction principles but have specific height recommendations (around 2.5 feet) for optimal comfort. For taller or more complex columns, engineering consultation and reinforced concrete filling may be required. A free-standing retaining wall (like a seat wall) built with Versa-Lok units requires knocking off the back end of the blocks to achieve a rough face on both sides, making the blocks reversible.

Goal: Construct stable and aesthetically pleasing columns and seat walls.

Tools and materials

  • Construction Adhesive — Gluing courses for stability
  • Half-Units — Building columns and seat walls