Tango TM Lawn-and-Garden Project Block Inspiration and Installation Guide One block does it all and requires no cutting! Create columns, seat walls, edging and more...
Tango™ Lawn-and-Garden Project Block Enhance your outdoor entry and living spaces with this amazingly versatile lawn-and-garden project block. Let your imagination run free! With this unique T-shaped block you can create columns, seat and freestanding walls, battered or vertical retaining walls, planters, edging and more! For inspiration check out the ideas in this guide and view videos online. Then use the installation information included in this book to efficiently build your project.
Product Overview Approximate dimensions* Minimum dimensions 4"H x 12"W x 6"D 3.93"H x 11.7"W x 5.54"D Approximate weight* 16 lbs. Coverage** Available in: Brown/Buff 0.31 sq. ft. System batter (battered wall) 10.
Straight Seat Wall The design of the Tango™ project block allows for nested installation to surround a backyard patio, enhance a front yard courtyard, and provide seating. For nested installation example, see non-capped wall on page 5. Design Parameters • Wall depth: 9" without cap • Maximum height, including buried course but excluding the cap: 2' • Recommended seating height: 1'7" to 1'11" For estimating and installation see pages 20-22.
Cap Ideas • ShortCut® caps (shown above) • 16" x 16" patio stones (shown on page 4) • Add a row of pavers between wall blocks and caps for color and/or texture accent (shown above) • View cap options by project type on page 16 De si g n Ti p The angled tail provides the strength and stability of a dove-tailed joint! 5
Seat Wall Corner Projects with a 90-degree corner are a breeze. Ideal for enclosing a patio area or defining a space. Design Parameters • Wall depth: 9" without cap • Maximum height, including buried course but excluding the cap: 2' Design Tip • Recommended seating height: 1'7" to 1'11" One block does it all — just split and place. See page 18 for instructions.
Seat Wall Finished End Show off the clean lines at the end of a seat or freestanding wall, or abut next to a structure, such as a house or a column. This is perfect for smaller spaces. Cap Ideas • • • • ShortCut® caps (shown on page 6) 16" x 16" patio stones (shown above) Add texture or color contrast with pavers or patio stones (see photos on page 8) View cap options by project type on page 16 De s ign Tip Split the block in half to create wall end. See page 18 for instructions.
Curved Seat Wall Some landscapes lend themselves to a curved seat wall. This more sophisticated tail-to-tail design and installation project creates a softened, intimate space. Add a column or two for visual impact. For tail-to-tail installation example, see non-capped wall on page 9. Design Parameters • Wall depth: 1' without cap • Maximum height, including buried course but excluding the cap: 2' • Recommended seating height: 1'7" to 1'11" For estimating and installation see pages 20-22.
Cap Ideas • Select cap to cover seat area with an overhang for the best aesthetics and most comfortable seating • Match or contrast the seat wall’s color and texture by adding a row of pavers between wall and caps • View cap options by project type on page 16 D e s i g n Ti p Remove the tail to fill void for wall end. See page 19 for instructions.
Column Columns make statements and add visual interest besides being functional. Build columns in just minutes to enhance an entryway or showcase potted plants; add ambience by including light fixtures. Design Parameters • Column footprint: 1'3" x 1'3" without cap • Maximum height, including buried course but excluding the cap: 4' • Hollow core provides space for wiring electricity or mounting post: approximately 3" x 3" For estimating and installation see page 23.
Column Cap Ideas • 16" x 16" patio stone Other cap ideas (not shown): • Poured concrete top • Glass block • Granite Textured end is exposed on column exterior. Smooth end is concealed inside the column. D e si g n Ti p Be sure that the face and textured end of each block face outward as shown here.
Battered Retaining Wall A wall built to retain soil is known as a retaining wall. A battered wall has the blocks set back on each course to improve the wall stability. Design Parameters • Maximum battered height, including buried course but excluding the cap: 2' For cross-section details, estimating and installation see pages 24-25.
Vertical Retaining Wall A wall built to retain soil is known as a retaining wall. A vertical wall has the blocks stacked vertically on each course to maximize use of space for lawn, garden or other plantings. A Design Parameters • Maximum vertical height, including buried course but excluding the cap: 1'4" For estimating and installation, see pages 24-25.
Planter Small vertical retaining wall projects are ideal for herb, floral or vegetable gardens. Design Parameters • Maximum vertical height, including buried course but excluding the cap: 1'4" For cross-section details, estimating and installation see pages 24-25.
Edging This versatile block can also be used in multiple ways to create garden and project edging. Edgers provide landscape detail and keep mulch, soil and weeds from entering your garden or landscape area. For estimating, installation and design options, see pages 26-27.
Project Preparation and Tips Advance planning and careful layout at the job site help ensure successful projects. Read all instructions prior to installation. 1. Have utilities location(s) marked. 2. Develop a plan; confirm lot lines, project location and area. 3. Stake project location with string line or garden hose. Tips • Score line does not indicate top or bottom of project block. See example on next page. • Texture irregularities are a characteristic of this block.
Project Preparation and Tips (continued) Glue Placement Middle Helpful tip – Score line does not indicate top or bottom Apply along middle of block head for: • Column (all courses) • Seat/freestanding walls (top two courses) • Vertical retaining walls (all courses) • Capping Back Apply along back of block head for: • Battered retaining walls (all courses) Calculate exterior-grade concrete adhesive needed. use approximately 3 oz. of exterior-grade concrete adhesive per lin. ft.
How to Split a Block in Half Just four simple steps split a Tango™ lawn-and-garden project block into two L-shaped pieces which are used for corners and ends. Following these steps will result in cleaner splits. 1. Place the block on the grass or soft surface with the score line facing up. With a metal chisel and framing hammer, lightly tap starting from the face of the block to extend the score line. Continue tapping along the score line to the tail. 2.
How to Create Wedge Pieces Option 1. Use the tail to create a wedge piece for ends of curved walls or for one of the edger options. 1. Place the block on the grass or soft surface. 2. With a metal chisel and framing hammer, lightly tap along the neck. 3. Flip the block over and continue lightly tapping, creating a score line all the way around the four sides of the block. 4. Repeat process with solid force as needed until the block splits in two. Tail Head Neck splitting line Option 2.
Seat/Freestanding Wall Estimating Use the quick reference chart or calculate number of blocks needed per formula below. Note: Quick reference chart is rounded up to account for additional pieces for splitting.
Seat/Freestanding Wall Installation Straight Wall Nested Layout Course A Course B Reverse order of blocks in the second course to stagger them for a running bond. Subsequent courses alternate A,B,A,B. Course A Length varies Straight Wall Nested Corner Layout 15" Square Column Course B End against column Length varies Subsequent courses alternate A,B,A,B. End Direction of install Wedge piece 1 Course A 2 3 4 Unit split to fit as needed.
Seat/Freestanding Wall Installation (continued) If project will be on top of existing paver or concrete base, consider the weight that is being added and adequacy of existing base to bear the load. Proceed to step 3a or 3b for first course layout. 1. Stake out wall and create trench – Mark location of the wall from the back of blocks. Dig a trench for the leveling pad. a. Straight wall trench – 17 inches wide x 8 inches deep. b. Curved wall trench – 20 inches wide x 8 inches deep. 2.
Column Estimating and Installation If project will be on top of existing paver or concrete base, consider the weight that is being added and adequacy of existing base to bear the load. Proceed to step 3 for first course layout. 1. Stake out area and create trench – Dig trench 23 inches wide x 23 inches long x 8 inches deep for the leveling pad. 2. Leveling pad – Add a 2-inch layer of base material in the bottom of the trench; rake out and firmly compact.
Retaining Wall Estimating and Cross-Sections Use the quick reference chart or calculate number of blocks needed per formula on page 25. Note: Quick reference chart is rounded up to the nearest block.
Retaining Wall Installation 1. take out wall and create trench – Mark location of the wall from the back of the block. Dig a trench S 12 inches wide x 8 inches deep x ___ (length of wall) for the leveling pad. 2. Leveling pad – Add a 2-inch layer of base material in the bottom of the trench; rake out and firmly compact. Repeat as needed for finished compacted base depth of 4 inches. Use a carpenter’s level to level base material along the trench; check the level every few feet. 3.
Edging Estimating and Installation Basic Installation Prep for All Design Options 1. Excavation – Begin by laying out the project using stakes and string line or a garden hose (great for curves). Dig a trench 6 inches wide x 4 inches deep (3 inches deep for Option 3). Excavation 2. Leveling pad – Level bottom of the trench. Place 1-inch of base material in the bottom of the trench and firmly compact. Helpful tip – Use 1 cubic feet of base material for every 25 feet of edging.
Calculate base material (paver base or 3/4-inch minus [with fines] aggregate) needed for project. calculate the volume of base material compensation for compaction cu. in. of base material = ______ X 6 = length of project (in.) _: 1,728 trench width X base depth (sq. in.) = X volume of base material (cu. in.) 1.25 compensation for compaction total cu. ft. of base material estimated # of edgers Calculate number of edgers needed for project. = X 1.
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