Three Types Of Retaining Walls And Their Differences
Posted on: 28 September 2021
Retaining walls are common across many gardens and public spaces in Australia, as they are an easy way to control an uneven surface and make it habitable. If you are considering developing or renovating a piece of land and want to insert your own retaining walls, then you have likely run into the quandary concerning which type of material you want to use. There are three main types of material used in retaining walls: concrete, masonry and wood. Here is a brief investigation into each of those three to help you make an informed decision about your potential future retaining wall.
Concrete
Concrete retaining walls come in a few different varieties (such as poured on-site or prefabricated blocks), but there are a lot of similarities between these options. Concrete is one of the strongest materials that you can easily find, and there are a lot of contractors who can do it for you, as it is so widespread. It can fit into a number of different retaining wall designs as it is quite malleable when wet. When strengthened with metal structures inside, it is practically indestructible, even by consistent and heavy rain. Just know that concrete is considered somewhat unsightly by many in the industry, and often, concrete retaining walls will have fake veneers put on top of them.
Masonry
Retaining walls made from masonry or brick have a long history in Australia. Brick has been another substance that is readily available in this country, and it too is very strong and good at withstanding enormous pressure. It also looks a lot better, and because it is brick just like many of the houses in Australia, it blends into your design far easier. The trouble can be with the design, as brick is not as easy to put into different retaining wall designs with anchors and piling, so it is only applicable in certain conditions.
Wood
Wooden retaining walls are perhaps the most attractive to buyers because they provide a much more naturalistic feel that works well in gardens of all kinds. Wood is also not as weak as you might expect, even though it probably won't outlast concrete. However, it can certainly last for decades with little issue. Due to wood being very easy to cut and reshape, wooden retaining walls can be made for all sizes and garden dimensions. It is hard to ignore just how easy and good-looking wood is, and when combined with a lower price, it is not hard to see why it is one of the most popular options on the market.
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