How To Choose A Retaining Wall
When your landscaping project has a heavy slope or when you want to build features above ground level, your landscaper might recommend a retaining wall. Retaining walls serve to stop erosion from wreaking havoc on your landscape; here’s how to choose the right one for your next project:
What Is a Retaining Wall?
Retaining walls are barriers that reduce erosion, improve drainage, and add a unique aesthetic appeal to your yard. There are several different types of retaining walls available; we’re going to cover those in the next section.
What Are the Different Types of Retaining Walls?
There are several styles of retaining walls available, and choosing the right retaining wall starts with choosing the right style. There is no best retaining wall; whether you choose cantilevered walls, gravity walls, or something else entirely depends heavily on the project you’re working on.
Materials also vary depending on the type of wall being built and the project you’re working on. Everything from natural stone walls to concrete block walls might be used.
Gravity Walls
Gravity walls are the simplest style of retaining wall; they use their own weight to resist being toppled by the soil they are retaining. They tend to be much thicker and heavier than other styles of retaining walls, but their simple design makes them easier and faster to build. As a result, gravity walls tend to be more affordable than other styles of retaining walls.
Cantilever Walls
Cantilever walls have an L-shape; they’re typically made of reinforced concrete. The largest part of the base of a cantilever wall called a heel, is covered in the soil that’s being retained; this creates the force that keeps the cantilever wall sturdy. Cantilever walls are typically used for large commercial projects, where they can stand up to 10 metres tall.
Piling Walls
The thinnest type of retaining wall, piling walls are typically used when there are space limitations and where soil is particularly loose. Piling walls are built deep into the soil; deeper in the ground, soil tends to be much more stable. Additionally, the depth of the wall provides extra support and up to 1/3rd of a piling wall may be located underground.
Anchored Walls
Anchored walls are supported by anchors. All of the walls we’ve discussed can be further supported through anchoring. These anchors are embedded in soil or rocks in order to secure the wall.
What Are the Factors That Affect Which Types of Retaining Walls You Should Use?
Several factors will affect the type of retaining wall you’ll choose:
Budget: Gravity walls tend to be the least expensive retaining walls; if your project can be supported with nothing more than gravity walls, they may be the best bet.
Soil type: When soil is loose or water-logged, piling walls are often the best choice.
Space: Piling walls are often the best choice when space is limited. Anchored walls can also be helpful if walls cannot be built with enough bulk to retain soil.
Height: Cantilever walls are the best choice for projects above a few metres.
Amount of soil being retained: The more soil a wall has to retain, the more carefully engineered that wall must be.
At Bulger Brothers, we’ve been landscaping in Winnipeg for years; we know exactly what style of retaining wall to use in a variety of circumstances. For retaining wall installation, trust the pros; call us today.
