How to Choose the Best Retaining Wall Material for Your Project?
There are numerous reasons why a person would want to construct a retaining wall. Whether it is for aesthetic reasons, to improve the appearance of their property, or because of changes in the landscape, retaining walls are a popular choice among homeowners. However, before developing the design for your retaining wall, you must choose the best material for the job. There are several options to choose from when it comes to the material for your retaining wall and you should do your research to determine which material is best for your project! Below are 3 of the most common retaining wall design techniques and what they entail.
Balanced Paleo Wall
It is common in Paleolithic eras to build walls that are higher than the surrounding ground in order to avoid flooding. This technique involves building retaining walls that are not quite as high as the surrounding ground and placing the larger blocks that maintain the height and shape of the wall on top in order to create a balanced shape when walking around and looking at the structure. This design is often used as a way of introducing natural stone into a landscape or creating a feature wall without having to spend a lot of money.
Clapboard Wall
In this technique, the retaining wall is built using wooden planks nailed to posts. The plank retaining walls are often built in order to prevent soil erosion, however, can also be used to mimic the appearance of natural stone. Unlike the previous technique, the clapboard wall is not built on a slope. This is most often used to create a privacy wall.
Footing Wall
The last design for retaining walls is the most commonly used technique for retaining walls that are built to mimic the look of natural stone. This method involves building a retaining wall that is slightly higher than the surrounding land that uses natural stone blocks. The blocks are set in concrete and are often set in a bed of gravel, which is then patterned with a layer of mortar in order to make the blocks adhere to each other.
Take this opportunity to pick the best retaining wall design for your property! If you want to get more tips, or if you’re still looking for experts who can help you out, hire Jose's Landscaping. We are based in West Des Moines, IA. Call us at (515) 207-6527.