--- title: Allan Block Retaining Wall Caps description: The 12” wide caps are available in the classic style and come in grey and charcoal color and they are lighter to work with. image: https://back40landscaping.ca/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/7-20240413_145150.jpg --- 2 Min Read # Allan Block Retaining Wall Caps Oct. 09, 2024 There are many Allan Block retaining wall cap options, each with their strengths and weaknesses. First, I’ll give you an overview, then application specific strengths an weaknesses.   ![](https://back40landscaping.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/1-20240412_160256-1024x1024.jpg?width=960&height=960&name=1-20240412_160256-1024x1024.jpg) ## Retaining Wall Caps ## Sizes ### 12 & 18” Wide ## Colors ### Grey & Charcoal ## Styles ### Classic & PRO MAX The 12” wide caps are available in the classic style and come in grey and charcoal color. They are lighter to work with, and curve the tightest. Their main strength is the smoothest in which they curve. The narrower the cap, the smoother curve they can be made into. These are the narrowest cap Allan Block makes. Their big drawback is they do not make nice 90-degree inside or outside corners. Because they are 12”x12” when you cut a 45-degree angle one side ends up being too short to make a nice 90-degree corner. - ![2-20220707_093350-scaled](https://back40landscaping.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/2-20220707_093350-scaled.webp?width=1200&length=1200&name=2-20220707_093350-scaled.webp) - ![3-20230718_124949-scaled (1)](https://back40landscaping.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/3-20230718_124949-scaled%20(1).webp?width=1200&length=1200&name=3-20230718_124949-scaled%20(1).webp) 18” wide classic caps are available in both Grey and Charcoal. These are best used when there is a retaining wall that has straight sections as well as curves. Pairing the 18” wide cap with an 18” wide block allows you to offset the seams (running bond), and strengthen the wall. A cap glued to 2 blocks will help lock the top row together much better than gluing 1 cap to 1 block. The wider the cap is, the less pieces you need to install, this is why contractors often choose to use a wider cap. - ![5-20210516_124623-copy-2-1536x1152-copy](https://back40landscaping.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/5-20210516_124623-copy-2-1536x1152-copy.webp?width=1200&length=1200&name=5-20210516_124623-copy-2-1536x1152-copy.webp) - ![4-20230331_164916-scaled](https://back40landscaping.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/4-20230331_164916-scaled.webp?width=1200&length=1200&name=4-20230331_164916-scaled.webp) So far, we have been talking about the classic style caps. These are available in both the 12 and 18” caps. The classic style is a simple split face look. New to the market is the PRO MAX cap. The PRO MAX cap is only available in 18” wide, and comes in both grey and Charcoal. This cap has a higher appearance, and a beveled edge on either side. It looks great, and compliments the block with the same beveled edge. This PRO MAX cap was designed to allow room for retaining wall lights to be installed under it shining down on the retaining wall. - ![9-20230321_074242-scaled](https://back40landscaping.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/9-20230321_074242-scaled.webp?width=1200&length=1200&name=9-20230321_074242-scaled.webp) - ![8-20230321_074017-scaled](https://back40landscaping.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/8-20230321_074017-scaled.webp?width=1200&length=1200&name=8-20230321_074017-scaled.webp) On straight walls this cap looks, and functions great. Gentle curves can be made, however tight curved walls are very tedious to make. Several cuts have to be made under the cap to allow it to “CLEAR” the lip. In general, this cap shines on straight walls, but is not ideal for tight curves. When placing caps on a curved wall wedges are cut on each side of the cap to make the cap curve with the wall. The Pro Max cap has a nice bevel on either end of the cap and when you cut it off, you lose this look. Outside curves are not affected by this, but inside curve are. This is not a huge issue, but the look will be slightly different. Fortunately, most people will not notice this. ### Mixing Caps The color variations between styles do not match. A 12” Charcoal cap will not be the same color as an 18” charcoal cap. Even the greys between classic and Pro Max are different. A trained, certified, and experienced Allan Block installer will choose the right style and width of cap for your project, all you have to do is choose between grey and charcoal! ![](https://back40landscaping.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/7-20240517_102629-1024x577.jpg?width=960&height=540&name=7-20240517_102629-1024x577.jpg) Tags: [Quick Reads](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/tag/quick-reads) | [Retaining Walls](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/tag/retaining-walls) ![back 40 landscaping retaining cost guide in abbotsford, bc (1)](https://back40landscaping.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Foundation%20Images/back%2040%20landscaping%20retaining%20cost%20guide%20in%20abbotsford%2c%20bc%20(1).png?width=400&height=400&name=back%2040%20landscaping%20retaining%20cost%20guide%20in%20abbotsford%2c%20bc%20(1).png) ## Planning Your Project? Get the Cost Insights You Need - Accurate price ranges for popular landscaping services - Tips to help you budget effectively and avoid surprises - Features and materials for your project [Access Your Cost Guide double_arrow ](https://back40landscaping.ca/landscaping-retaining-wall-cost-guide) ## Related Articles [![](https://back40landscaping.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Back-40-Landscaping-retaining-walls-1064x7501-24-2.jpg?width=352&name=Back-40-Landscaping-retaining-walls-1064x7501-24-2.jpg) ](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/no-two-retaining-walls-alike) ### [Why No Two Retaining Walls Are Alike](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/no-two-retaining-walls-alike) [Quick Reads](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/tag/quick-reads) | [Retaining Walls](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/tag/retaining-walls) When it comes to having any home renovations done, whether it is inside your home our outdoors, each contractor is going to give your project a different end result. [![](https://back40landscaping.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/5-20231213_102727-1-scaled.jpg?width=352&name=5-20231213_102727-1-scaled.jpg) ](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/gluing-allan-block-retaining-wall-caps-and-blocks) ### [Gluing Allan Block Retaining Wall Caps and Blocks](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/gluing-allan-block-retaining-wall-caps-and-blocks) [Quick Reads](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/tag/quick-reads) | [Retaining Walls](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/tag/retaining-walls) Retaining wall caps not only enhance the structural integrity of a wall but also provide a polished, professional appearance. Proper installation techniques, like cleaning... [![](https://back40landscaping.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Allan-Block-FOCAL-point-retaining-wallgeneral-use-840x675-1-Nov-16-2024-08-13-12-5367-AM.jpg?width=352&name=Allan-Block-FOCAL-point-retaining-wallgeneral-use-840x675-1-Nov-16-2024-08-13-12-5367-AM.jpg) ](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/retaining-wall-curved-or-straight) ### [Should My Retaining Wall Be Curved or Straight?](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/retaining-wall-curved-or-straight) [Quick Reads](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/tag/quick-reads) | [Retaining Walls](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/tag/retaining-walls) If you are a homeowner that is looking for a retaining wall that not only functions as a means to retain the soil on your property, but want something aesthetically pleasing... ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Natasha Maerz", "url" : "https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/author/natasha" }, "dateModified" : "2024-11-19T13:16:39.577Z", "datePublished" : "2024-10-09T15:15:52.000Z", "headline" : "Allan Block Retaining Wall Caps", "image" : [ "https://back40landscaping.ca/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/7-20240413_145150.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/allan-block-retaining-wall-caps", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://back40landscaping.ca/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/back-40-landscaping-logo-transparent-3.png" }, "name" : "Back 40 Landscaping" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://back40landscaping.ca/#back40landscaping", "@type" : "LocalBusiness", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "CA", "addressLocality" : "Abbotsford", "addressRegion" : "BC", "postalCode" : "V4X 1Y5", "streetAddress" : "30353 Sunset Cres" }, "image" : "https://back40landscaping.ca/hubfs/Logo/test/back-40-landscaping-logo-white-transparent.webp", "logo" : "https://back40landscaping.ca/hubfs/Logo/test/back-40-landscaping-logo-white-transparent.webp", "name" : "Back 40 Landscaping", "openingHoursSpecification" : [ { "@type" : "OpeningHoursSpecification", "closes" : "16:30", "dayOfWeek" : [ "Monday" ], "opens" : "08:00" }, { "@type" : "OpeningHoursSpecification", "closes" : "16:30", "dayOfWeek" : [ "Tuesday", "Wednesday", "Thursday", "Friday" ], "opens" : "08:00" }, { "@type" : "OpeningHoursSpecification", "closes" : "12:00", "dayOfWeek" : "Saturday", "opens" : "09:00" } ], "sameAs" : [ "https://www.facebook.com/back40landscaping.ca/", "https://www.instagram.com/back40landscaping.ca/", "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPBamgRYCxNTbnbCN1ehbGA", "https://www.google.com/search?q=back+40+landscaping&oq=back+40+landsca&aqs=chrome.0.0i512j69i57j46i175i199i512j69i61l3.3447j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#lrd=0x5485cb6c3c1abc6f:0x7093e643eeb29c6c,1,,," ], "telephone" : "(778) 808-6961", "url" : "https://back40landscaping.ca/" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "areaServed" : [ { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Chilliwack" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Abbotsford" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Mission" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Langley" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Burnaby" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Maple Ridge" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Port Coquitlam" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Surrey" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "New West Minster" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Walnut Grove" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Crescent Beach" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Mt. Lehman Area (Abbotsford)" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Promontory (Chilliwack)" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Anmore (Port Moody)" } ] } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "Review", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Springman" }, "itemReviewed" : { "@id" : "https://back40landscaping.ca/#back40landscaping" }, "reviewBody" : "Sam and his Back 40 team were amazing to work with on our retaining wall project. Very professional and upfront from the moment he came by to look at our old failing wall, and worked around a few tricky spots and provided an amazing final product. We would use them again in a heartbeat and easily recommend them to anyone looking for quality and efficiency." } ```