Stone-Filled Wire Baskets

Gabion Box

A gabion box, also known as a gabion basket, is a rectangular container made of double-twisted hexagonal wire mesh, divided into cells by diaphragms and filled with stone on site to build retaining walls, river protection and erosion-control structures.

Box size
2 × 1 × 1 m standard
Mesh opening
80 × 100 mm
Mesh wire
2.7 mm
Selvedge wire
3.4 mm
Diaphragms
Every 1 m
Finish
Galvanized, Galfan or PVC coated

Supplied folded with lacing wire or C-rings. Reno mattresses and custom sizes available.

What is a gabion box?

A gabion box is made from one continuous base-front-back panel of hexagonal mesh, with separate ends, diaphragms and a lid. All panel edges are reinforced with a thicker selvedge wire. Diaphragms divide the box into 1 m cells, so the stone stays evenly packed and the box keeps its shape.

On site, the boxes are unfolded, laced together, filled with stone and closed. The finished structure is heavy, flexible and permeable: it follows ground settlement without cracking and lets water drain through, which makes it ideal for retaining walls and river works.

Reno mattresses are shallow gabions, 0.17–0.3 m thick, used to line riverbeds, channels and slopes. Boxes and mattresses are supplied folded and bundled for transport.

Gabion box 2 × 1 × 1 m structure with lid, diaphragm and selvedge wire
Structure of a 2 × 1 × 1 m gabion box: a diaphragm divides it into 1 m cells, and all edges are reinforced with selvedge wire.

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Gabion Box Specifications

Standard sizes for gabion boxes and Reno mattresses.

ItemStandard specification
Gabion box sizes (L × W × H)1 × 1 × 1, 1.5 × 1 × 1, 2 × 1 × 1, 2 × 1 × 0.5, 3 × 1 × 1, 4 × 1 × 1 m
Reno mattress sizes (L × W × H)3 × 2 × 0.3, 4 × 2 × 0.3, 6 × 2 × 0.17 / 0.23 / 0.3 m
Mesh opening80 × 100 mm standard; 60 × 80, 100 × 120 mm available
Mesh wire diameterGabion box 2.7 mm; Reno mattress 2.2 mm (2.0–3.0 mm available)
Selvedge wireGabion box 3.4 mm; Reno mattress 2.7 mm
Lacing wire2.2 mm, approx. 5% of the box weight
DiaphragmsEvery 1 m in boxes longer than 1 m; every 1 m in mattresses
FastenersLacing wire or galvanized C-rings
CoatingHot-dip galvanized (heavy zinc); Zn-5% Al or Zn-10% Al alloy (Galfan); PVC coated, approx. 0.5 mm
PVC coloursGrey, green; other colours on request
StandardsProduced to common specifications such as EN 10223-3 and ASTM A975 on request
PackingFolded flat and bundled, 10–25 pieces per bundle, strapped or palletized; custom packing on request

Custom box and mattress sizes, mesh and wire sizes, coatings and packing are available. Send your structure drawing or quantities by size for a quotation.

Applications

Retaining walls

Gravity walls for roads, slopes and landscaped terraces.

River & channel protection

Bank lining, weirs and scour protection for rivers and canals.

Coastal & bridge works

Erosion control for shorelines, bridge abutments and culverts.

Landscape & architecture

Decorative stone walls, garden features and noise barriers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a gabion box and a Reno mattress?

A gabion box is usually 0.5–1 m high and used for walls. A Reno mattress is 0.17–0.3 m thick and used to line riverbeds, channels and slopes.

Why are diaphragms needed?

Diaphragms divide the box into 1 m cells, which keeps the stone evenly distributed and stops the box bulging during filling.

What stone should be used to fill gabions?

Hard, durable stone larger than the mesh opening, typically 100–250 mm for boxes and 75–150 mm for mattresses.

How are gabion boxes delivered?

They are folded flat and bundled, then unfolded, assembled and filled on site. Lacing wire or C-rings are supplied for assembly.

Which coating lasts longest?

Galfan zinc-aluminium alloy lasts longer than standard galvanizing. For sea water or polluted water, choose PVC coating over galvanized or Galfan wire.

What information do you need for a quotation?

Box or mattress sizes and quantities, mesh and wire sizes, coating, fastener type, and the destination port.