Crucial Factors to Consider When Choosing a Material for Your Retaining Wall Construction

Construction & Contractors Blog

From timber to poured concrete and masonry materials such as brick, natural stone blocks, mortarless stone veneer and concrete blocks, there are many materials you can use to build retaining walls. 

However, not all building materials are ideal for every application that requires retaining walls. That's why it is important to choose your retaining wall building material carefully. In determining the perfect construction material for your residential walls, consider these key factors.

Strength

Regardless of the intended application, a retaining wall serves one main purpose — to hold back soil. Depending on the volume of soil it retains behind it, the wall may be subjected to immense lateral earth pressure.

When designing your retaining wall, it is important to estimate the lateral soil pressures that will act on the walls. This way, you can choose a wall construction material that will resist these pressures and ensure your walls remain strong and steady.

Ease of installation

Not all materials used in the construction of retaining walls require the same level of skill to work with. While some materials are easy to build with, others require specialised skills to use successfully.

For instance, if you want to build your retaining wall with masonry units but don't want to use a professional mason, mortarless stone veneer panels can be an excellent choice for your DIY installation.

Owing to their interlocking design, these masonry panels fit tightly together and are mechanically fastened so you can build your wall without using mortar. 

No mortar means you have no mess to clean up after you're done erecting your walls.

Maintenance requirements

The different types of materials used in retaining wall construction require varying levels of care and upkeep to maintain their structural integrity and initial appearance over the years. 

Generally, a retaining wall built with timber requires the most maintenance because of timber's high susceptibility to insect and weather damage. That said, every material will suffer general wear and tear and will need proper maintenance to remain strong and beautiful for years to come.

Aesthetics 

Your retaining wall is going to affect your property's kerb appeal. For this reason, it is important that you think about the look you want the wall to give. For example, using natural building materials like timber and natural stone is a fantastic way to accentuate the natural beauty of your landscape and entire property.

Feeling overwhelmed by your materials options for retaining walls? Your local retaining wall construction contractor understands the pros and cons of each material and can help you choose the right one for your needs. Contact them today to discuss your project.

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23 February 2022

How I Constructed My New Home

Hello and welcome to my construction blog. My name is David and I would like to tell you about the process of designing and building a new home from the ground up. I had always dreamed of building my own home and last year, that dream became a reality. I had been saving money for many years so I could afford to buy the materials and employ the contractors needed to construct my home. I learnt so much during the process, I decided to start this blog. It was a wonderful day when the final piece of my home was put into place and I am now very happy.