Strol Case Study | Build a Firepit with SureWall, ArmourFlow, and PebbleLock

The Challenge:

Many properties, especially in New Zealand, have south-facing hills or embankments that are often left unused. These areas tend to be damp, particularly during the colder months, making them unattractive and impractical for outdoor activities. But what if you could transform that soggy, neglected patch into a warm, dry, and inviting space, perfect for gathering around a firepit?

At Strol, we offer innovative solutions that not only enhance the aesthetic of your garden but also improve its functionality. In this project, we’ll show you how to reclaim your unused backyard slope by creating a well-drained, pebbled area with a built-in firepit. Using our easy-to-install SureWall retaining system, ArmourFlow drainage panels and PebbleLock permeable pavers, you can turn a muddy eyesore into a cosy, year-round entertainment space.

The Solution: 

The first step in this transformation is to carve out your entertainment area. SureWall, our clip-together retaining wall system, is designed for DIY enthusiasts. It’s straightforward to install, requiring minimal excavation for the posts. This system is perfect for creating walls up to 1 meter high, providing a clean, natural finish that seamlessly integrates with PebbleLock pavers.

Start by marking the layout of your entertainment area with pegs and string, ensuring your lines are straight and even. Install the SureWall posts by inserting them halfway into the ground. Strol offers corner, joining, and end posts to help you achieve a neat and professional finish. Once the posts are in place, simply slot the timber boards into the grooves. Add a wider capping edge at the top, which can serve as additional seating around the firepit.

With SureWall, you can easily create 90-degree angles and even incorporate steps leading into your new space. Curves can also be created up to 15^o. Once your wall is constructed, it’s time to move on to the drainage system.

To ensure your embankment remains dry year-round, line the soil-facing side of the SureWall with ArmourFlow Panel Drain. This advanced geocomposite drainage board efficiently collects and filters water from the backfill soil, preventing moisture buildup behind your retaining wall. ArmourFlow is designed with a geotextile backing, ensuring that it won’t clog and will keep your wall dry and stable.

For additional drainage, lay a perforated pipe wrapped in FilterSleeve at the base of the retaining wall before refilling the area with soil. This setup ensures that water is directed away from your entertainment area, keeping it dry and usable, no matter the weather.

To complete the drainage solution, add a row of PebbleLock permeable pavers along the top of the wall. Use PaveMaster edging to create a clean line where grass can grow right up to the pebbles, making mowing a breeze. You can even extend this PebbleLock pathway up the embankment to connect with other areas of your garden.

The Result: 

There’s nothing like gathering around a firepit on a chilly evening, but it’s important that the space remains dry and comfortable. PebbleLock permeable pavers, paired with SureTex geotextile, offer the perfect solution. The geotextile layer keeps the soil separate from the upper aggregate layers, ensuring that water drains away quickly without creating muddy patches, while PebbleLock pavers allow water to drain away from the surface and lock the pebbles in place. You’ll easily be able to wheel your BBQ over the surface, as well as retain a hard, flat surface for bins, tables and chairs.

If you’re planning to install a freestanding brazier, you can cover the entire area with SureTex and PebbleLock. For a built-in firepit, cut out the space in the SureTex where the firepit will go, and line it with GAP20 and Crusher Dust before constructing the firepit walls. After building the firepit, fill it with an extra 100mm of stones to raise the level above the surrounding area, preventing water from pooling inside.

Finish by filling the rest of your entertainment area with GAP20 and Crusher Dust, then simply clip the PebbleLock pavers into place and fill them with your choice of 8-14mm pebbles. The pavers are easy to cut, allowing you to create custom shapes that fit perfectly around your firepit and any steps you’ve built with SureWall. For optimal drainage, consider extending a pipe from the lowest point of the pit area to your main drainage system.

With innovative products by Strol, enhancing your outdoor space has never been easier, and now that your new firepit area is complete, it’s time to invite friends over for a cosy evening around the fire. What was once a boggy, unused slope has been transformed into a dry, stable, and stylish entertainment area. You can now enjoy this space year-round, whether it’s for roasting marshmallows, having a glass of wine, or simply basking in the fire’s radiant warmth.