It’s one of those questions that nags you while commuting to work, and it keeps you up at night with worry. It’s a question that you have discussed with close friends and neighbors. Finally, you wake up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat and wonder out loud: “Do I need a retaining wall?” Thankfully, we may have the answer. It’s not an easy question to answer, but at the end of this article, you should have a pretty good idea if you need a one. So let’s get started.
What is a Retaining Wall?
In its simplest form, a retaining wall is a structure that holds soil behind it. For example, if you have a sloped yard, a retaining wall will allow flat areas to step up to sloped areas. That is, it will hold back any sloping soil you might have in your yard. Although retaining walls serve a useful purpose, they are also installed as an attractive landscaping option.
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These walls can be installed in several designs, and you can use several types of materials to build them. Your wall could be as short as just a few inches high or as tall as several feet. A retaining wall can be quite short, or it may wrap all the way around your yard, depending on your landscape needs. Some retaining walls even need permits before they can be installed.
Retaining Walls Are As Beautiful As They Are Practical
Reasons You Might Need One
The two main reasons why you might need a retention wall are soil loss prevention and the creation of useable space. If you have a hill on your property, there is always a chance that a hard rain could cause soil erosion. A wall will prevent this. In addition, a retaining wall is desired should you want more useable space in your yard.
If you have a significant slope in your yard, you can install a few walls and create a lot of useable space. If you notice that rain kicks up a bunch of mud, a retaining wall will help prevent this. You don’t need a reason to have a retaining wall installed; they are often used as a part of the landscaping, thanks to their aesthetics.
Common Retention Wall Materials
There are numerous materials you can use for your wall; they range from wood to poured concrete. The most inexpensive choice for a wall is wood. Now, you can use anything from timbers or planks to railroad ties. Wood walls are typically relatively easy to install and are an attractive choice. However, a wooden wall isn’t going to last a long time because it will suffer deterioration over the years. Still, a properly installed wood wall will last about 20 years.
Poured concrete is another choice for your wall. While more expensive than wood, concrete retaining walls will last a lot longer. And thanks to concrete stamps and stains, your concrete wall will look fantastic, and it’s easy to match styles to your landscape. In addition, concrete is strong and sturdy, and you don’t have to worry about your wall failing.
Natural stone is another material that can be utilized for a retention wall. Natural stone has many benefits; it is attractive and natural-looking, heavy enough to hold plenty of weight, and can be used to make curved designs. A few cons of natural stone for a retaining wall include price, might require special engineering, and make very heavy walls.
How It Will Change Your Life
You might not think that a retention wall can change your life, but it just might. A retaining wall can increase the amount of useable space you have on your property. This means that you can now spend more time outside with the family or entertaining guests. A retaining wall can also give you more yard space for creative purposes. For example, a retaining wall might allow you to grow a garden or create a tiered area for flowers or fruit trees.
Retaining walls are also beautiful structures that make your outdoor space look fantastic. When your backyard is beautiful, you want to spend more time outside. Everyone is quite aware of how healthy it is to spend more time outside, and a retaining wall gives you plenty of reasons to spend more time in your yard.
If the reasons to get a retaining wall has resonated with you, then the first step is to contact your landscaping company, and we will be more than happy to answer any questions you might have. We are a landscaping contractor with your best interests in mind, and we will work diligently to give you a design you are sure to love, and that will fit your needs.
