Retaining walls

Wood retaining walls

This type of retaining wall works great if you are trying to create leveled areas for your garden, such as a deck, or a children’s play area. There are three major wood materials for retaining walls, respectively standard wood, timber, and railroad ties–with railroad ties considered the most durable.

One thing to consider when using wood for retaining walls, as any other type of outdoor home improvement, is the fact that this natural material is sensitive to both termites and water infiltration, though treating it as well as constant maintenance is being required.

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Concrete block retaining walls

The most durable solution to prevent erosion, or to keep a slope in place, concrete block retaining walls also work great to level your patio area, or as an enclosure for a planting bed.

The main advantage of building retaining walls using this technique is that concrete blocks can withstand significant pressure, while also being versatile in terms of shapes, textures, and colors.

One thing to have in mind is that concrete retaining walls require precise construction methods since any small flaw will turn into an infiltration that may cause severe structural damage over time.

II. The best types of retaining walls focusing on purpose:

Gravity retaining walls

These types of retaining walls are used when a small amount of soil needs to be kept in place, being one of the most basic of structures, with gravity and sheer weight keeping the soil in place.

A wide array of materials can be used, with brick, pavers and stone being the most popular. One other added advantage is that it is a relatively easy retaining wall to build, so the construction process shouldn’t take all that long.

Reinforced retaining walls

Also called cantilevered retaining wall, this type of structure has a reinforced larger base buried underneath, meaning that the soil pressure acts vertically rather than horizontally, thus creating a firmer construction.

One thing to have in mind is that this specific type of retaining wall is used mainly on commercial purposes and can take up quite a lot of space, so think of building this type of outdoor home improvement only if other choices aren’t available.

Sheet piling retaining walls

A great solution when space is an issue, this type of retaining wall is constructed out of thin steel, vinyl and even wood, being anchored directly into the soil.

As expected, the construction won’t stand much pressure, and is only used for smaller scale projects, with limited forces applied to the wall.

Anchored retaining walls

The name says it wall, with the retaining walls being literally anchored by cables driven into the ground behind the wall and secured there.

A rather complex construction, this technique works well with high loads or thin walls, but it will hardly be ever required in a garden.

Retaining walls have their practical, as well as aesthetical purpose in the landscape design of any well-kept garden.

Making the right choice in terms of the type of wall best-suited for your outdoor design can make the difference between a troublesome and a carefree project.

For a sure choice in terms of home improvement, be it outside or indoors, get in touch with SOD Home Group. We have over a decade of experience in making Californian home owners smile.