What You Should Know About The Different Types Of Retaining Walls

Retaining walls contain the soil where the land elevation varies, and there are several slopes. You can use retaining walls for decorative and aesthetic purposes as well.

They can set off a patio, designate an entertainment area or build paths in backyards. Retaining walls restrain soil and make roads usable.

However, there is one thing that you should carefully consider. It is not easy to build a retaining wall. It is a huge task.

When building a retaining wall, you typically use masonry or concrete, as both materials last longer. You can check the jpconcrete.co.uk website to find out more about high-quality retaining walls.

How To Choose The Correct Retaining Wall Material

Retaining walls are well-known in commercial and residential landscaping. You can add beautiful stonework for hardscaping the area. Retaining walls can transform your garden into several tiers to focus more on the garden’s central features.

More importantly, a retaining wall can save your yard by preventing soil erosion. You can use the retaining wall to manage the flow of rainwater.

It is crucial to choose high-quality materials for your retaining wall. With high-quality materials, the wall will last longer. It will be safer too. Remember, the wall holds back tons of soil, so you need strong and durable materials for it.
Moreover, you need an engineer if your retaining wall is more than three feet (.91 metres). You should also check if you need to secure a permit. Poured concrete is more apt if you want a modern wall with a sleek look.

Here are the types of retaining walls.

Gravity Retaining Wall

This type is the most basic. Its weight and mass help to hold soil effectively. Several varieties of gravity retaining walls use different materials like unmortared stone, pavers, and bricks.

You can also choose dry-stacked stone. You do not need additional reinforcement if you have shorter walls. But the wall will require a small trench to fit the wall into or use a concrete footer.

Cantilevered Or Reinforced Retaining Wall

The wall has steel bars running through the masonry or concrete for reinforcement. When you say cantilevered, it means there is an L-shaped slab foundation under the soil that supports the retaining wall.

The weight of the soil above holds the foundation slab down, preventing the wall from tipping forward. This type of retaining wall is strong, making it suitable for commercial retaining walls.

Sheet Piling Retaining Wall

If space is an issue, the sheet piling retaining wall is your solution. The wall is a bit thin, but it comprises vinyl, wood, or steel driven into the soil directly.

Additional reinforcement is achieved by using a vertically corrugated structure. This kind of retaining wall works in softer soil. You should use more anchors if you are going to erect larger walls.

Anchored Retaining Wall

When there are higher loads or structurally thinner walls, the anchored retaining wall can provide additional support. This kind of retaining wall gets support from anchors mechanically driven into the ground.

They are attached by straps or cables. The ends of the cables are expanded by injection of pressurised concrete.

Check the local requirements and regulations if you want to install retaining walls on your residential or commercial property.