Considerations for having masonry walls:
Two types of wall systems are common in Tucson, conventional and a post tension.
Wall Starting Point- Pick out where your wall will go, length and height. Pick out type of block construction- Fence Block, Conventional CMU or Slump Block (see above header "block" then sub-sections under that for products-see header "more" wall photo ideas for job photos). Pick Color / colors and any upgrades like a color accent or split face accent. Get any necessary engineering for the location, which will at a minimum need to know, the height of wall and type of block you choose and either location or soils condition. From that your professional can determine wind loads, footer requirements, rebar requirements for footer and verticals, concrete strength minimum for footer, grout requirements and additional reinforcement and permit costs. Be sure you have HOA blessing if applicable. We suggest it's both a polite and smart move to discuss with neighbors your wall while still in concept stage. We have often seen with neighbors on good terms with each other, split costs on a common wall. STRONGLY RECOMMENDED you have property surveyed to ensure it's your wall and not going to be the City, County or Neighbors wall. MANDATORY to have all excavation areas be cleared of possible underground utilities BEFORE any CONSTRUCTION -by calling BLUE STAKE at 811 in Arizona or at http://www.azbluestake.com/project-designers/. This one contact should provide all utility providers your request. Blue stake is a FREE service.
As you can tell from the above- most masonry walls are best left to the professionals, but you can have the majority choices above narrowed down so the quoting process will be smoother.
Wall Starting Point- Pick out where your wall will go, length and height. Pick out type of block construction- Fence Block, Conventional CMU or Slump Block (see above header "block" then sub-sections under that for products-see header "more" wall photo ideas for job photos). Pick Color / colors and any upgrades like a color accent or split face accent. Get any necessary engineering for the location, which will at a minimum need to know, the height of wall and type of block you choose and either location or soils condition. From that your professional can determine wind loads, footer requirements, rebar requirements for footer and verticals, concrete strength minimum for footer, grout requirements and additional reinforcement and permit costs. Be sure you have HOA blessing if applicable. We suggest it's both a polite and smart move to discuss with neighbors your wall while still in concept stage. We have often seen with neighbors on good terms with each other, split costs on a common wall. STRONGLY RECOMMENDED you have property surveyed to ensure it's your wall and not going to be the City, County or Neighbors wall. MANDATORY to have all excavation areas be cleared of possible underground utilities BEFORE any CONSTRUCTION -by calling BLUE STAKE at 811 in Arizona or at http://www.azbluestake.com/project-designers/. This one contact should provide all utility providers your request. Blue stake is a FREE service.
As you can tell from the above- most masonry walls are best left to the professionals, but you can have the majority choices above narrowed down so the quoting process will be smoother.