What’s in a retaining wall? That which we call concrete by any other name would still sound as sturdy. That is what Shakespeare would say if he ever had a part-time job building walls. But we are not here to discuss alternate history timelines. We are here to talk about retaining walls. We will define what they are, find out how they work, and so much more.
Now you might want to leave your literature vibes behind as we are about to start.
A Little Fundamental Check
A retaining wall is a structure that serves two primary functions: to withstand lateral soil pressure and to stop soil from advancing to a location. There are many materials you can utilize to make a retaining wall, including the following:
- Wood
- Concrete
- Limestone
- Brick
- And so much more
If you think you cannot go artistic with retaining walls, then you better start thinking again! You may customize these structures to add appeal and value to your property. Retaining walls also create a contrast with the environment around them, creating an artistic effect.
Retaining Wall Types
Yes, there is more than one. Here are the several types of retaining walls you can install:
- Wood retaining walls
Retaining walls that utilize wood as the primary construction material offer more in terms of aesthetics. Wood is pleasing to look at at any time, and it goes well with the surrounding area. The only downside to this kind of wall is that termites can attack it. In addition to that, wood can also suffer from elements, such as rain, snow, and so much more.
- Gabion retaining wall
A gabion retaining wall is a structure that comprises many wire mesh boxes. Workers will then fill the boxes up with any construction material, such as concrete and rocks. These walls are ideal for sloping locations.
- Brick retaining wall
If you are all about style, then brick retaining walls are your best bet. Besides their primary function, these walls add a contemporary look to any location. To add to this aspect, brick walls are cheap, good for the environment, and do not require a lot of maintenance.
- Metal retaining wall
Metal retaining walls are all about durability and longevity. These walls utilize steel as the peak construction material. Another feature is you can work these kinds of walls even in locations where space is an issue.
- Poured concrete wall
Another wall that speaks durability would be poured concrete walls. This kind of wall uses concrete. The neat thing about concrete is that you have several options on how to employ the material. Each method would work differently, making poured concrete walls flexible as well.
Why Build A Retaining Wall At All?
Retaining walls do more than add up to your privacy. These structures take care of unwanted soil that might end up on your property by holding the material back. A retaining wall has numerous construction and artistic elements, making them a fine addition to your place. What’s more, they will add value if you have plans to rent out or sell the property.
Getting Professional Assistance
You have the option to hire a professional contracting company if you wish to have retaining walls in your setting. What you can do is look for a company online. With so many websites available online, you will not have any difficulties looking for a suitable_company. But before you hire, it is best to make sure that the organization or entity that offers the services is licensed and bonded. Doing so will save you from unnecessary and hidden charges. You will also protect yourself from scammers pretending to be decent service providers. It is better to be safe than sorry.
The Cost Of Hiring
A few factors will come into play in terms of how much you will have to pay. Such factors include the following:
- Location
- Materials
- Tools and equipment
- Labor
- Transportation
- The company you will work with
It pays to talk things over with the contractor. Once you do, you will not have any issues in terms of the project’s duration, how much it will cost, and so on.
I Would Rather Do It Myself
Sure. We have no problems if you do. But do make sure you have the necessary skill set, knowledge, tools, and equipment for that DIY retaining wall project. Working on a retaining wall with no expert assistance also gives you creative freedom and complete financial control. What you do and how you do it is no one else’s business.
To Settle Things
Having a retaining wall in your property is a neat investment. You will not have to worry about any soil and other materials intruding on your place. Plus, having such a structure has some additional merits you might not even know of in the first place!
I’m very happy I found this post since my aunt’s property could be vulnerable to little landslides coming from the surrounding hill. Thank you for your thorough explanation of retaining walls and the necessity of first taking into account our financial condition before constructing anything similar so that high-quality materials are employed. That’s it; I’ll inform her of this so she can negotiate with the appropriate contractor.
You did a good job of persuading us that using bricks for our retaining wall will give us a modern appearance with less expense and upkeep. I need to have a retaining wall built if I want to safeguard my property from landslides and other problems because our house is close to a slope. When I search for a contractor to work on building my retaining wall soon, I’ll keep this in mind.
You were right when you indicated that by using the websites that are readily available online, you can quickly choose a dependable business that can construct retaining walls for you. My mother recently expressed interest in having concrete sleeper retaining walls built before the holidays. I’ll advise her to abide by all of your recommendations as she wants to only work with retaining wall installation contractors who have a track record of providing high-quality services.
You were right when you indicated that by using the websites that are readily available online, you can quickly choose a dependable business that can construct retaining walls for you. My mother recently expressed interest in having Redi-Rock retaining wall built before the holidays. I’ll advise her to abide by all of your recommendations as she wants to only work with retaining wall installation contractors who have a track record of providing high-quality services.
It was quite convincing when you told us that using bricks as a material for our retaining wall will give us a contemporary look with fewer costs and less maintenance. Our house is located near a slope, so I need to get a retaining wall constructed if I want to protect my property from landslides and other issues. I’ll keep this in mind while I look for a contractor to hire for my retaining wall construction soon.
Oh, hello! Finding this article is something I’m so grateful for because my aunt’s backyard might be prone to minor landslides coming from the nearby hill. Thus, thanks for your in-depth explanation on retaining wall and how crucial it is to consider our financial situation first before building something like that so the materials used will be of high standards. That’s it, I’m going to let her know about this so she could make a deal with the right contractor.
You made a good point when you said that you can easily find a suitable company that can install retaining walls for you with the help of the available websites online. My mother mentioned the other day that she is interested in concrete sleeper retaining walls to be installed before the holidays. Since she wants to only deal with a retaining wall installation contractor that has a proven track record of quality services, I will ask her to follow all your tips.