Retaining walls are a principal hardscaping feature of both residential and commercial properties; when considering a retaining wall design, there are many different types of retaining walls, as well as many building materials to choose from. Choosing the best retaining wall material depends on many factors, including property type, desired design elements, purpose of the wall in terms of functionality, as well as available budget. There is no right or wrong answer to what retaining wall is best due to the unique elements of each individual job, but there are pros and cons that can be examined when it comes to building materials. In this article, you’ll learn about the pros and cons of the most popular retaining wall materials, then being able to make a decision that makes sense for your specific job, budgetary needs, as well as desired look. 7 Most Common Retaining Wall Materials Here, we’ll break down the most popular and accessible retaining wall materials and explore the benefits and potential downsides of each one. Kelowna Retaining Walls are varied in material, and as you research these materials, you’ll see that they could each be used, depending on your job type and preferences. The respective materials include the following:
Stone Veneer Stone Veneer is one of the most popular types of retaining wall in terms of design because there are so many possible appearances when it comes to stone veneer retaining walls. In addition, they give off a natural-looking appearance which many people enjoy. Stone veneers come in a variety of colors and styles, which can be great in terms of freedom and design flexibility. One consideration when choosing this building material is that it should coincide with the stone that is already a part of the property’s design elements; if there isn’t much stone there already, that won’t be a big issue. The great thing about stone veneers is that they are very solid and can match the purpose of most any job due to a range of thickness and heights. This makes stone veneers a very customizable option for retaining walls. Stone Veneer Retaining Wall Pros: Customizable, durable, and natural appearance with many options Stone Veneer Retaining Wall Cons: Requires a strong and well-created design that is typically done by a retaining wall contractor or architect. Poured Concrete Poured concrete offers property owners many design options as well with heightened levels of durability and strength. This type of retaining wall is most favorable in commercial, industrial, and modern landscapes. While there is a lot of strength that poured concrete retaining walls can hold, they have to be poured correctly and they may crack over time. If the work isn’t done just right, there is a higher chance that your retaining wall will fail, or that there will be a wave or bulge in the retaining wall. Poured Concrete Retaining Wall Pros: Great for modern, industrial and commercial landscapes, offers durability and high levels of strength when done correctly Poured Concrete Retaining Wall Cons: Can crack, wave, or bulge; construction must be done exactly right, doesn’t fit all aesthetics Brick Brick is a classic look for Kelowna Retaining Walls and can give residential and commercial properties more curb appeal. Brick retaining walls are strong, durable, and effective when the proper drainage system is implemented. The construction of a brick retaining wall requires more labor, however, and proper drainage for a brick retaining wall must be used; if not, the wall will not hold up over time. It can be tedious but will provide a strong and effective structure for a retaining wall in the long run. Brick Retaining Wall Pros: classic look, curb appeal, durable with high strength levels Brick Retaining Wall Cons: more labor required for installation, special drainage systems needed Concrete Block Another fan favorite, concrete blocks can give a natural look and allow for curvature to be added to the landscape in which it is installed. It mirrors classic architectural styles, which can fit the desired aesthetic of many home and property owners. Concrete blocks, however, are not effective for bigger jobs and won’t be suitable if the retaining wall need is higher than four feet. Depending on the footing and base, the strength may be affected. Concrete Block Retaining Wall Pros: classic architectural aesthetic, adds curves to landscape Concrete Block Retaining Wall Cons: only possible for smaller walls, weak footing minimizes strength and durability Boulder (Dry Stone) Homeowners that want the ultimate natural look for their property or garden will love the aesthetic provided by a boulder, or dry stone, retaining wall. These suit colonial and country homes perfectly, and it also offers a viable and practical solution when there is a lot of sloping or change in grade. While these are lovely and natural, there are still some natural issues that plague these retaining walls. Both water flow and drainage can be big problems, which means it could be a nuisance for a property and may eventually fail due to water buildup if a solution isn’t incorporated in the installation. Boulder (Dry Stone) Retaining Wall Pros: charming, natural look, effective for sloping and grade changes Boulder (Dry Stone) Retaining Wall Cons: water buildup and water flow pose difficult problems for boulder retaining walls Gabion Great for erosion control, gabion retaining walls are especially popular at properties that are near bodies of water such as the coast, rivers, or lakes; this is great, since the aesthetic also complements these property locations. Gabion doesn’t require much excavation or land prep and can be a rather affordable option for a retaining wall. Gabion also minimizes environmental impact through recycled materials. Depending on the weather conditions, however, the wire basket, or the structural formation of the gabion retaining wall, may begin to show signs of rusting, which may not be a desirable aesthetic. Gabion Retaining Wall Pros: environmentally friendly materials, great for seaside/riverside/lakeside homes, simple installation with little skill required Gabion Retaining Wall Cons: wire basket (structural encasing) may become rusted and unappealing Wood
Our final material, wood, is another natural choice that can complement pretty much any design aesthetic. The installation of a wood retaining wall is relatively straightforward, giving your property a natural and neutral look. While wood retaining walls have the potential for a 15-20 year lifespan, there are elements that may minimize it. When installing a wood retaining wall, proper waterproofing must be executed; there are effective wood preservatives that can help with this. If this is not done and the installation isn’t completed with proper materials, your wood retaining wall will be severely limited in terms of lifespan. It may also rot and isn’t recommended for any retaining wall needs over four feet, just like concrete block retaining walls. Wood Retaining Wall Pros: easy-to-access materials, simple and natural design, works well with many different property and design types Wood Retaining Wall Cons: needs waterproofing and wood preservatives, can rot, may not last as long as other retaining walls Considerations for the Best Retaining Wall The best retaining wall isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. When you choose the best retaining wall, you must carefully weigh your options according to your job type, desired design elements, as well as your available budget. When you find the perfect mix of these three elements, you have discovered your definition of “the perfect retaining wall.” Here is a bit more about each of these three considerations. Job Type It’s vital that you take into account the size of your job, the purpose of the retaining wall, and the location that it will be installed. Retaining walls all hold up differently depending on the conditions and the purpose, so having these factors clearly defined when working with a retaining wall contractor can make things much easier in terms of choosing the best material for your job and design. Desired Design Elements Speaking of design, you should have some general idea about what type of aesthetic you’d like your retaining wall to have and how your contractor can help you achieve it. Ultimately, job type should win over desired design elements simply because the job type can affect the durability and lifespan of your retaining wall more than design elements can. If you choose simply based on design alone, you may find yourself with a failed retaining wall or one that needs repairs later down the line. Budget Of course, the deciding factor for your retaining wall may be your budget. There are many different elements that can affect the cost of your retaining wall, including location, design (curves, steps, sloping, additional elements), soils, and material cost, to name a few. The best thing you can do is have a clear picture in terms of what you need for your job type as well as what you’d like in terms of design, and then create a budget window that you can discuss with your retaining wall contractor. Think about which elements are must-haves for you, and which ones have some room for negotiation or leeway. Final Thoughts: Best Type of Retaining Wall All in all, there’s no blanket response for which type of retaining wall is best, but with careful considerations of your job type, design elements, and budget, you can work with an expert retaining wall contractor to find the perfect retaining wall for you and your property. Ready to discuss your retaining wall job? Contact Kelowna Retaining Walls today and we’ll be happy to partner with you to make your dream retaining wall a reality! As the retaining wall contractors in Kelowna, we have the expertise needed to ensure your retaining wall is installed to the highest caliber and quality for optimal durability and lifespan. Comments are closed.
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