Retaining walls are common features of landscaping projects, adding structure to properties while providing a host of benefits. They are usually made of wood, stone, or concrete blocks.
Retaining walls come in a variety of styles and are designed to serve various purposes. Their permanent nature provides a highly functional and aesthetic value to any property.
If you’re unsure whether or not to build a retaining wall in your backyard, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll discuss the seven greatest benefits of putting up a retaining wall on your property. So let’s dive in!
How Do Retaining Walls Work?
In essence, retaining walls are structures built to withstand and hold up the soil, often on sloped terrain. The walls are usually constructed using stones, timber, or manufactured blocks, and they’re typically reinforced with wire mesh, concrete, or a combination of both.
As the force of gravity works against the wall and the soil it’s holding, it is important to make sure the wall is properly engineered to withstand the pressure.
Types of Retaining Walls
Here are some of the most common types of retaining walls in the construction industry:
- Sheet pile retaining walls—These are made by piling steel sheets of varying widths into the earth, forming a barrier to hold back the soil. They’re ideal for shoreline and streambank protection, as well as holding the soil on steep slopes.
- Cantilever walls—These are typically constructed by pouring concrete into a form and allowing it to cure into a solid wall. They’re capable of retaining large amounts of soil and have been used in the construction of dams, freeway sound barriers, and other large projects.
- Gravity retaining walls—These are constructed by stacking large, pre-cast blocks in an interlocking pattern, providing additional strength and stability. They’re often used to retain a moderate amount of soil.
- Buttressed retaining walls—These are built by combining a gravity wall with a buttress, or supporting structure, to provide additional stability and strength. They’re often used for large retaining walls on commercial and industrial sites.
Now, let’s see the biggest benefits of building a retaining wall on your property.
1. Reduced Possibility of Damage
Retaining walls help protect buildings, landscaping, and other structures from the damage caused by soil erosion and flooding. If a retaining wall is built correctly, it can help prevent the build-up of water pressure and limit the potential for serious structural damage.
2. Improved Aesthetics of the Outdoors
Retaining walls have the function of creating a physical boundary between different areas of your property, which can help make your outdoor space look more attractive. They can also be used to create terraces or tiers, to add visual interest, or to create a feature of the landscape.
You can use stone retaining walls to create new features on your property, like fire pits, planters, fountains, etc.
3. Turning Non-functional Space Into Functional
Retaining walls can turn an otherwise non-usable space in your yard into a usable space. For example, by adding a retaining wall, you can turn a sloped area of your property into a level surface, allowing you to create a seating area or add a garden or walkway.
You can also use retaining walls to create different sections in your garden. For example, if you want to grow plants that require different soils or fertilizers. With separate sections, the soils won’t mix, and you’ll be able to control how much water the plants get.
4. Higher Property Value
In addition to the functional and aesthetic benefits of a retaining wall, it can also increase the value of your home. A well-constructed and attractive retaining wall can enhance the curb appeal of your home, making it more attractive to potential buyers. In fact, retaining walls can increase your property value by up to 15%.
5. Establishing Boundaries With Neighboring Properties
With retaining walls, you can establish a clear boundary between your and your neighbor’s properties. Retaining walls can be helpful if you want to avoid disputes or if your neighbors, for example, have a habit of intruding on your property.
However, before you build any retaining walls between you and your neighbors, ensure you follow all the regulations.
6. Ecological Benefit
In most cases, retaining walls are built using natural materials. This makes them an environmentally-friendly solution. In addition, they can help filter and slow runoff, reducing the number of pollutants and sediment that end up in streams and rivers.
7. Lower maintenance
Building retaining walls might seem like a significant investment, but they pay off in the long run. Once a retaining wall is built, it typically requires minimal maintenance. The material used in its construction is strong, durable, and long-lasting and can withstand the elements without needing regular repairs or replacements.
To Sum Up
Building retaining walls on your property has many benefits. Not only do they provide a number of aesthetic and functional benefits, but they can also help protect your property from water damage and add value to your home.
If you’re looking for a permanent and attractive solution for landscaping, a retaining wall could be a perfect choice. Just make sure to consider the size, materials, and cost before deciding to install one on your property.
