Gabion Baskets in the UK

Gabions are wire cages filled with stone. UK builders merchants sell them flat packed.

Updated Oct 27, 2026. Edited by: Ilyass Ben Hakim.

Where to buy

Builders merchants, fencing suppliers and garden centres sell welded mesh gabions. Stone fill is usually bought separately from a local aggregate yard.

Professional insight

Landscapers choose wire gauge and coating first. Mesh opening follows the stone.

Fill stone must be larger than the mesh opening.
Galfan coating outlasts plain galvanising near salt air.
Count spiral fasteners for every edge before ordering.
Retaining walls over 1 m need an engineer.

Check the label

Basket size in mm, length by width by height.
Wire diameter, commonly 3 mm, 4 mm or 5 mm.
Mesh opening, such as 75 x 75 mm.
Coating type: hot dip galvanised, Galfan or PVC.
Standard quoted, for example EN 10218-2 wire tolerances.
Number of panels and spirals in the kit.
Whether internal bracing wires or ties are included.

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Specs to match

Matching gabion wire and mesh to the job
Spec	Lighter use	Heavier use
Wire	3 mm	4 to 5 mm
Mesh	75 x 75 mm	50 x 50 mm or 100 x 50 mm
Typical job	Planters, benches, cladding	Garden walls, bank support
Fill size	100 to 150 mm stone	Stone above the mesh size

Sizing

Welded gabions come in modular sizes. A common one is 1000 x 500 x 500 mm. Plan the wall in those units to avoid cutting mesh.

Gabion fill volume

Calculator

Enter internal basket size in metres to estimate stone volume.

Length

Width

Height

Number of baskets

Stone volume0.25 cubic m

Setup tips

1Level and compact the base, often on hardcore.
2Join the panels at each corner with spirals.
3Fit bracing wires to stop the faces bulging.
4Fill in layers, placing face stones by hand.
5Overfill slightly, then close and spiral the lid.

Tools you will need

Heavy work gloves and safety glasses.
Pliers or a spiral twisting tool.
Spirit level and string line.
Wheelbarrow and shovel for the stone.
Bolt cutters if mesh must be trimmed.

Common questions

Do gabions need planning permission in the UK?: Small garden features usually do not. Walls near a road or over set heights may. Check with your council.
Are welded gabions better than woven ones?: Welded mesh holds a neat square face. Woven mesh flexes more on uneven ground.
What stone should I use?: Hard, frost resistant stone larger than the mesh opening.