GUARDIAN

Types of Retaining Walls: Which One Works Best for Your Home?

Generally speaking, retaining walls become an important component in construction when it comes to landscaping and soil stabilisation on one’s property. If your property is on a sloping site or you want to add levels to your garden, you must first determine what type of retaining wall to build: natural, stone-like, or industrial-looking concrete. In this article, you will learn about the different types of retaining walls, understand the benefits of each, and ultimately determine which is suitable for your property

What is Retaining Wall Engineering?

Retaining wall engineering often involves a structure that is designed and constructed to hold back soil behind it. The factors that determine pressure are soil type, height, and soil moisture content. Retaining wall engineering helps make the wall stay structurally sound for years. Guardcon Consulting Engineers is here to create an outdoor space that can be visually improved while still meeting the safety requirements for the retaining walls of your home.

Retaining Walls for Residential Uses

There are several types of retaining walls that can be used in residential settings, and each has advantages over the others.

Stone Block Retaining Walls

Stone block retaining walls are very popular these days because of their long life span and durability. They are made of concrete blocks that have been shaped to resemble real stone. Such walls are generally modular, allowing you to design them as needed. The blocks are built without the use of cement, relying on their weight and a well-designed base to provide stability. They only offer a natural aspect that complements landscape design, particularly gardens, terraces, and driveways.

Benefits

  • Long-lasting and resistant to soil pressure.
  • Suitable for terraced gardens and other sloping surfaces.
  • They are available in a variety of sizes and textures to complement your home design.
  • They require little maintenance.

Suggestion

Stone block retaining walls are useful for people who want a balance of strength. It is appropriate for the construction of retainer walls for gardens or other areas that must be elevated.

Timber Retaining Walls

Timber retaining walls give the outdoor area a rustic appearance and make your house structure look naturally beautiful. Timber retaining walls serve a variety of uses, including levelling uneven surfaces, creating raised flower beds, and preventing soil erosion.

Benefits

  • Timber retaining walls have a natural appearance.
  • They are cost-effective and require less labour than other types of retaining walls.
  • They are durable and long-lasting.

Concrete Retaining Walls

Concrete retaining walls are among the most durable and adaptable available. They are usually concreted or formed of concrete blocks for a long-lasting structure. Such walls can be engineered in a variety of shapes and heights, making them appropriate for properties with complex landscaping needs.

Benefits

  • Durable and stress-resistant.
  • Available in a variety of patterns, including smooth surfaces and bespoke shapes.
  • Long-lasting, low-maintenance.

Suggestion

Concrete retaining walls are for landowners who require strong, heavy-duty retaining walls in steep slopes or areas with high soil pressure. It is also appropriate for a modern home where elegance and subtle style are needed.

Natural Stone Retaining Walls

Natural stone retaining walls are ideal for homeowners who want to achieve a more organic, rustic look. Walls will be built with a variety of stones, including limestone, granite, and sandstone. Each type of stone has a unique colour and texture; you can opt for it.

Benefits

  • The beautiful, organic look adds contrast to outdoor spaces.
  • The product is solid and can last for decades with proper maintenance.
  • The use of natural materials makes it eco-friendly.

Suggestion

Natural stone retaining walls are for those clients who want to enhance the natural scenery of their properties. Often they are used for garden beds, cottage-style gardens, outdoor terraces, or where the view is more important than use.

Sheet Pile Retaining Walls

When you have to decide which kind of retaining wall will effectively and even be strong in preventing erosion and holding back the soil, it is most recommended to have a sheet pile retaining wall. In other cases, when you have a limited space and the other retaining walls cannot be used as an option, the time is when you can take advantage of sheet pile retaining walls.

Benefits

  • Appropriate use of space
  • Can deal with a variety of soil conditions.
  • Installation costs are comparatively affordable.

Suggestion

Sheet pile retaining walls can be used in a variety of ways. You could be using corrugated steel or vinyl sheet pile walls according to your need and budget. These proved really useful for vertical gardens.

Planting Plants Along Retaining Walls

One of the most underestimated ways to improve retaining walls is to plant vegetation along with them. You can add some plants along your retaining wall to stabilise the soil. A natural screen or barrier can be created by planting shrubs or small trees on top of the wall. Here are some of the options you can pick from:

Plant Options

  • Use creeping thyme or sedum for low-growing ground cover.
  • Add vertical interest with climbing plants like ivy or clematis.
  • Add colour with flowering shrubs like hydrangeas or azaleas.

Benefits

  • The roots of plants hold soil. This provides support for the retaining wall.
  • Plants on one side will create a natural aspect that contrasts with the hard structure of the wall.
  • Plants improve air quality, keep surfaces cool, and provide habitat for local wildlife.

Suggestion

If a homeowner wants a blended landscape design with nature, they should plant along the retaining walls. It works well when used with natural stone retaining walls.

How to Select the Best Retaining Wall for Your Home

The following key considerations will help you select the best wall retaining wall for your home:

The Location

We must carefully inspect the ground conditions before constructing a retaining wall. Hills, pipes, buildings, property lines, and plants must all be identified before deciding the best wall size and type. There may be hidden water pipes beneath, which we must find to prevent the strength of the wall.

The Soil

Soil quality is critical for the life span of your retaining wall. Test the soil type and bearing capability, and avoid organic soils, which may lose value over time, bringing down the wall.

The Foundation

A sound foundation determines the strength of the wall. A minimum of one foot should remain on each side of the wall’s width. Gravel should also be added to strengthen it.

The Drainage

Poor drainage is one of the most common reasons why a wall collapses. Moisture damage can be avoided with proper drainage. Precast concrete walls will be protected with suitable drainage, which may include gravel, pipelines, or engineered systems for bigger projects.

Design

Think about the size of the wall, shape, distance from the building, strength, and aesthetics. These decisions should be made before you begin construction.

Height Restraints

Retaining walls can be taller than ten feet; however, the height limits for walls exceeding 500mm vary per city. Always verify local codes to avoid red tape. Taller constructions may need to be presented with certified engineering drawings.

Material Selection and Budget

You can use various materials for your retaining wall. These include wood, steel, plastic, and even precast concrete. Plastic and wood walls are relatively affordable, but a more durable building material like precast concrete usually pays off in the long run. Precast concrete retaining walls can handle large load capacities, have a much higher lifetime, and require less maintenance. They resist fire better than other materials, such as wood, steel, or plastic, and are reasonably simple to shape and install.

In Summary

Retaining walls is vital for your outdoor space. Proper installation is important to prevent soil erosion. As previously covered in this blog, there are multiple types of retaining walls, each with particular characteristics. Guardcon Consulting Engineers deal with the retaining wall engineering. We can construct the landscape that you have in mind. Contact us to discuss your project and discover how we can make your outdoor living better with the right retaining wall. When done, these retaining walls will add long-term beauty and charm to your outdoor space.