Everything You Need to Know About Retaining Walls
One reason the landscaping industry continues to grow is that landowners have so many options for their property. One unique choice available to homeowners and builders is a retaining wall.
Retaining walls are dual purpose; they serve a functional production and are a decorative feature. They are originally built to hold back ground that would otherwise move downwards. You might think of it as a dam for solid runoff. They help stabilize a sloped landscape and provide flat surfaces at elevated intervals.
Retaining walls also serve as a decorative garden wall feature. A reason they are so popular for aesthetic purposes is that they come in a vast variety of materials, colors, shapes and sizes. Constructing one of these structures can a distinct addition to a homeowner's landscape.
So where should they be built? Landscape that is flat and level likely has no need for one. Wind is the general erosion issue with flat land, not water. Therefore, most are built in one of two scenarios. The first is on sloped surfaces, whether to create a tiered effect or to prevent erosion. These walls are typically more creative and decorative.
Another location for installation is on a sloped incline near a water source like a stream or river. Much of the soil that gets washed away from a water's edge during heavy rain is caused by runoff flowing downhill. Erosion in this case is even more likely to occur on banks without plant life, which can hold the soil together. A retaining wall can help maintain the level of ground near an embankment.
Once placement is decided, landowners have a variety of options for the material of a retaining wall. They can be made from brick, stone, concrete, timber, steel or natural rocks. Other materials can be used depending on how creative the wall design is. All of the above materials will provide various levels of strength and durability. Some material such as stone and brick last longer and are more weather resistant. In situations that require a significant amount of structural strength, poured concrete is probably the best choice. Dry stonewalls aren't usually structurally sound when these walls get much more than 3 feet high. The level of runoff on the area will dictate, in large part, which material is best for the project.
The next step is designing the retaining wall. Again, these can be as creative as the landowner sees fit. The design must primarily take into account whether the wall is meant as a structural or decorative function. In addition, design considers area size, the required height and the location. Some design options include concave curves, straight lines, curved lines, zigzags and convex curves.
Whether for aesthetic appeal or landscape retention, retaining walls can be a great enhancement to any property. They offer a unique look to a landscape with a very important purpose. Although much of the country is experiencing a drought, we must be mindful of the disastrous effects erosion can have on uneven land. Next to planting trees and shrubs, retaining walls are the best runoff solution.
Although landowners have a great deal of creative freedom in designing retaining walls, they can be a large task to built. A poorly constructed one can lean and crack. Choosing the right materials and constructing the wall properly are the two most important steps. If you're interested in creating a retaining wall on your property, contact a landscaping professional for assistance from design to execution.
Retaining walls are dual purpose; they serve a functional production and are a decorative feature. They are originally built to hold back ground that would otherwise move downwards. You might think of it as a dam for solid runoff. They help stabilize a sloped landscape and provide flat surfaces at elevated intervals.
Retaining walls also serve as a decorative garden wall feature. A reason they are so popular for aesthetic purposes is that they come in a vast variety of materials, colors, shapes and sizes. Constructing one of these structures can a distinct addition to a homeowner's landscape.
So where should they be built? Landscape that is flat and level likely has no need for one. Wind is the general erosion issue with flat land, not water. Therefore, most are built in one of two scenarios. The first is on sloped surfaces, whether to create a tiered effect or to prevent erosion. These walls are typically more creative and decorative.
Another location for installation is on a sloped incline near a water source like a stream or river. Much of the soil that gets washed away from a water's edge during heavy rain is caused by runoff flowing downhill. Erosion in this case is even more likely to occur on banks without plant life, which can hold the soil together. A retaining wall can help maintain the level of ground near an embankment.
Once placement is decided, landowners have a variety of options for the material of a retaining wall. They can be made from brick, stone, concrete, timber, steel or natural rocks. Other materials can be used depending on how creative the wall design is. All of the above materials will provide various levels of strength and durability. Some material such as stone and brick last longer and are more weather resistant. In situations that require a significant amount of structural strength, poured concrete is probably the best choice. Dry stonewalls aren't usually structurally sound when these walls get much more than 3 feet high. The level of runoff on the area will dictate, in large part, which material is best for the project.
The next step is designing the retaining wall. Again, these can be as creative as the landowner sees fit. The design must primarily take into account whether the wall is meant as a structural or decorative function. In addition, design considers area size, the required height and the location. Some design options include concave curves, straight lines, curved lines, zigzags and convex curves.
Whether for aesthetic appeal or landscape retention, retaining walls can be a great enhancement to any property. They offer a unique look to a landscape with a very important purpose. Although much of the country is experiencing a drought, we must be mindful of the disastrous effects erosion can have on uneven land. Next to planting trees and shrubs, retaining walls are the best runoff solution.
Although landowners have a great deal of creative freedom in designing retaining walls, they can be a large task to built. A poorly constructed one can lean and crack. Choosing the right materials and constructing the wall properly are the two most important steps. If you're interested in creating a retaining wall on your property, contact a landscaping professional for assistance from design to execution.
