Double sided coventry wall

[PSUscaper]

Hello,

Just seeing what the census is on the installation of the double sided EP Henry wall.

Never did one before, so just curious if there is anything I need to know.

I'm doing a raised patio, and it is goint to have a circular outer perimeter. The patio will be raised about 1.5 feet, and then the outer wall will continue up (double sided) about 1.5 ft more.

I'm wondering if I should use the double sided all the way up, or if it is a option to build the first 1.5 ft. out of regular coventry and then build my sitting wall out of the double sided.

I believe the double sided is wider, so not sure if it will be stable sitting on top of the regular. I was thinking I could bring the pavers to the top of the 1 sided wall first, then have the double sided overhang a little bit on top of the pavers (on the inside of the patio wall), but am thinking that is not a good idea.

I estimated using the double sided wall all the way up, but figured I might be able to save a few dollars by constructing the patio retention wall out of the single sided.

Also, how much cutting is involved with the double sided when buidling a radius??? It looks like you have to cut a lot in order to get both sides to look right when doing radius's. I really don't know, so I figured a lot of time in for that already. I've seen them built where one side looks tight, and the other side has gaps (mainly on displays).....I don't think that is acceptable.

steve

[Stonehenge]

We don't have EP Henry products here, but I've built the kind of wall you're talking about out of Versa-Lok (see pic below). We tried to be particularly sure that when we reached the elevation of the wall that would change to freestanding, that we were at the exact radius needed for Versa-Lok so that we wouldn't have to cut a bunch of blocks.

We still had to cut a bunch of blocks. :angry:

For Versa-Lok, the 2-sided stones are just one-sided stones with the back 2" snapped off, so stacking the freestanding over the retaining wall is a no-brainer.

Can you set up the wall so that even the bottom inch or two of the freestanding portion of the wall is below paver level? Then you won't have as much of an issue if a paver moves a little on you. And it'd be less likely that there'd be much pull on the unsupported portion of the freestanding wall - just make sure you compact the stone well behind the retaining part of the wall, all the way up to the elevation where the freestanding portion begins.

Good luck!!

[diginahole]

I am not familiar with EP Henry products, but I would recommend using the regular wall where it will be used as a retaining wall for a couple of reasons.

First, the double sided may not be able to be installed with the batter. Second, The split face that is buried having a more porous surface will absorb more water and cause excess efflorescence. Just a theory, I don't have any evidence to back this one up.

However if the standard cost less than the double sided it should be a Gimme, use the std wherever possible.

Are the double sided units available in tapered units? If so try to design at the specified radius to minimize cutting. Experiment a little and see if there are some different radii that can be constructed without cutting. Maybe alternate between tapers and stds to create a larger radius. Cutting should always be the last option, design out construction dilemas when possible.