In one of our earlier blogs we briefly touched on some of the different materials you can choose for the construction of your retaining wall. This blog considers which materials are best suited to specific wants and needs.
Fundamentally, all retaining walls are stablising structures primarily designed and constructed to support soil at a slope steeper than can naturally be supported.
Timber retaining walls with timber or galvanised steel uprights
- Timber sleeper retaining walls are a cost effective solution. We recommend treated pine, which have a life expectancy of 20 to 30 years. Expect galvanised steel uprights to cost more than timber uprights because they have a longer life expectancy.
Concrete sleeper retaining walls with galvanised uprights
- This type of retaining wall is ideal if you are looking to control erosion. Concrete sleeper retaining walls are durable, reasonably priced and available in a variety of colours and textures.
Reinforced Besser Block retaining walls
- Besser Blocks are ideal for providing structural strength for external walls when building against a slope. These hollow concrete blocks are designed to incorporate steel reinforcement within the block and then filled with concrete.
Brick retaining walls
- Brick retaining walls are perfect if you are looking for something functional yet decorative. There are two main types of bricks used to construct brick retaining walls: clay bricks and concrete bricks. Concrete mimics clay, but is more cost effective.
Stack stone retaining walls
- Stack stone is ideal for those people who want a functional retaining wall to double as a fashionable landscaping feature. Stack stone is also commonly used for the construction of low garden walls and garden edging.
Segmental block retaining walls
- Because it comprises individual pieces or blocks, this type of retaining wall offers design flexibility in the length and shape of the wall. Blocks can be relocated, extended or shortened, and laid in different bonding patterns.
To ensure your retaining wall is fit for purpose, ask a retaining wall expert to assess your needs and make a recommendation on materials best suited in terms of safety, functionality, performance and design.
Empire Retaining Walls are the retaining wall specialists on the Mornington Peninsula. We are committed to providing top quality retaining walls that are structurally sound and guarantee our work. We also offer free quotes, so contact us today.
