Retaining walls are constructed to maintain soil erosion and to control the quantity of snow and rainfall runoff in a particular area. They may be built using different materials such as stone, concrete block or plain concrete. In some cases, retaining walls create green spaces or recreational areas for the public, such as parklands or other outdoor spaces.
The construction of retaining walls follows three basic approaches. The first is known as sloping to facilitate water runoff. The second is known as linear or linearised to maximise the aesthetic appeal of the landscape feature. The last one is known as hilly or steep. All these approaches have their own set of merits and demerits.
The sloping or graded approach to constructing retaining walls involves steel ties and concrete footers. The concept behind this type of design is to ensure that soil erosion is reduced and water runoff is controlled. The design will give us an advantage if we compare this to a traditional fence built on top of the soil. With this in mind, these fences are today’s least expensive fence options.
The second approach to constructing the retaining walls involves using straight or curved steel rods embedded in the soil. Unlike the sloping design, the purpose of this option is to give you an edge compared to the other options available. For starters, it does not require a significant amount of structural support since the soil supports it well. Most homeowners prefer this option, especially those looking to improve their property’s aesthetic appeal at a cheaper cost. Aside from price, the other benefits of this option include improved functionality and safety of the fence and reduced maintenance and upkeep costs.
The third option involves manually building retaining walls or using a do-it-yourself kit. With this option, you will need to hire the services of a professional construction company so there’s assurance that the project will be executed efficiently and professionally. Professional companies will provide a different range of styles, sizes, and designs to choose from. This would give you more options for incorporating the right design into your property. The downside is that this may be pretty costly, depending on which professional company you will work with.
The fourth option is a concrete retaining wall. Many architects prefer this design option as it adds more aesthetic appeal to the landscape. Unlike the previous three, its functionality is not hindered due to soil erosion issues. Moreover, this option uses minimal amounts of steel reinforcement. Most homeowners find this to be a very economical yet cost-effective solution. Concrete is one of the most flexible materials available today, and concrete is one of the best choices for retaining walls.