A landscape’s most important feature is its retaining walls. They prevent soil erosion and keep grass from growing above the ground. Many people create retaining walls to protect their property from erosion, provide privacy, or protect it from fire hazards. These walls can be made from many materials, including concrete, stone slate, fiberglass and concrete blocks. In this article, we’ll take a look at the various types of these walls and where to buy them.
Concrete Concrete walls are made using high-density concrete poured into precast or cast slabs. Concrete forms by compacting as it is poured. The reinforcement concrete that is added during cutting or molding holds it together. These walls are strong, but can be difficult to remove after they are built. Due to the large amount of debris, it is messy. Due to the concrete’s weight, there is a possibility that the soil around the base will erode. This can decrease the wall’s life expectancy.
Stone This is another type of retaining wall. They consist of either one or several large stones placed along the bottom or sides of the wall. When the stones are set into the earth, they form a sort of foundation for the retaining wall. The footing underneath the stones provides stability and allows the wall to stay in place. A problem with these walls is that they tend to erode very easily, but some types of stone can be installed in an unbroken circle so they don’t need to be removed.
Fiberglass is a synthetic material that can be sprayed or poured onto the soil. It is a lightweight material that does not allow ground friction to reduce its overall effect. This product is made from materials that act as a vacuum, allowing the soil’s weight to push the material through the small spaces between the bubbles. These walls can be installed on top of the soil or within it. Fiberglass is made to resist a great deal of pressure while maintaining good drainage.
Concrete These are the most common forms of retaining walls and are often the first types of materials to be built because of a building project. There are many advantages to using concrete as a material for the foundation of any retaining wall. First, it is the most economical option. The material does not rust, corrode or lose structural support as easily as other materials. Concrete can also provide significant pressure resistance to walls if it is constructed correctly.
Clay These walls can be made from different types of clay, such as river sand and flint rocks. Clay absorbs moisture well so soil pressure is not an issue. Clay also provides excellent drainage if constructed correctly and does not require a pump to help drain excess water from a wall.
Rubber This is the cheapest form of retaining walls. It was originally made to support foundation walls. It contains large quantities of air, and can expand or contract depending upon the soil’s pressure. Rubber also allows for good water drainage as it expands and contracts depending on the surrounding climate. However, it is not always the best material due to the added risk of slip and fall if construction mistakes are made.
There are many types of retaining walls that consumers can choose from. If you have a specific application in your mind, the design of the material can determine how the wall will perform. When building a retaining wall, it is important to follow the guidelines set forth by your local authority. You can be sure that your retaining walls will meet your needs without causing any damage to your property by following the guidelines set forth by your local authorities.