Landscaping can take a property from forgettable to fantastic!
It helps bring color, life, and style to your garden or your entire outdoor living space. You may have never built a retaining wall before since it looks like a complex job. But you don’t need to give up on that dreamscape.
This article will explain how to incorporate retaining walls into your landscape design. We will also talk about their various types and styles and guide you through building one that suits your home.
The Basics of Landscaping and Benefits of Geogrid Retaining Walls
Landscaping is an art form that requires creativity, knowledge, and skill to bring life to your outdoor spaces. One of the best ways to add style and dimension is with retaining walls. Retaining walls are structures built from large rock, brick, or block. These create stunning landscaping designs while providing many functional Geogrid Retaining Walls.
Constructing a Geogrid retaining wall has many advantages and is the perfect solution for people with sloping yards. Not only can it shape the terrain, change grades, or hold back soil to prevent soil erosion. But it provides stability and structure as well. What’s more, you can use retaining walls to define spaces in gardens or patios. They give your outdoor space an artistic flair while also providing practical benefits.
This allows for more planting possibilities and extra seating space due to their flat tops.
Types of Retaining Walls and Their Uses
When it comes to outdoor or backyard landscaping, retaining walls are one of the most important tools to use. There are many types of retaining walls, each offering unique benefits and purposes. From wooden block walls to dry stacked stone walls, here’s a look at some of the most popular types and their uses.
| Type of Retaining Wall | Use/s |
| Cantilever Walls | Ideal for expansive projects, such as highway sound barriers. They are securely held together with steel rods and anchored to a footing below the earth. |
| Gravity Walls | These are thick masonry barriers. They prop up heavy soil with minimum reinforcement needed besides the wall’s large mass. This makes them ideal for garden dividers and property lines. |
| Timber Retaining Walls | Built from pressure-treated wood and provide a cheap option for those on a tight budget. Suitable for small garden features or larger features like terraces, landings and more. |
| Segmental Block Walls | Feature hard-interlocking blocks from various materials, such as concrete or natural stone. When constructed properly, they can provide erosion control. They also enhance the aesthetics of any outdoor garden or space. |
| Boulder Retaining Walls | Created by stacking boulders without any mortar involved. They are durable and appealing when done right. |
Designing and Installing A Geogrid Retaining Wall
Designing and installing a retaining wall can enhance your outdoor living experience and add value to your home. It’s important to plan and consider the height, width, depth, shape, materials, and purpose of the wall before you begin any work.
When it comes to designing the wall, you have to take into account its type, slope grade, and drainage needs. You should also consider the foundation requirements, outdoor paint, and textures. After choosing the best design that fits your needs, you’ll need to plan how to construct the wall. This involves setting forms for concrete brick footings. Additionally, digging holes for stone landscaping walls and setting those stones in place is necessary.
Once all this is ready to go, the construction process can begin. You can start mixing cement or mortar for brick/block walls or laying down stones for rock/boulder walls.
To ensure accuracy and precision, use batter boards to level the project. Furthermore, it is imperative to consider drainage to avoid potential erosion due to heavy rains or flooding later on.
Take your time when designing and constructing a retaining wall. This will give you an outdoor space that is both beautiful and valuable while being reliable against erosion issues over time.
How to Maintain Your Geogrid Retaining Wall
Maintaining a retaining wall can be a lot of work. But it’s worth it to ensure the wall remains stable and looking great. Here are some tips on how to maintain your retaining wall:
1. Check for any loose soil or crumbling bricks toward the base of the wall, and re-pack with soil if needed.
2. Clean off any dirt and debris from around the top of the retaining wall. Make sure all connections are tight and secure.
3. Check for signs of water damage, weed growth, or fungal discoloration. If you see these types of issues, contact an expert.
4. Clean off any foliage between cracks and remove weeds that have snuck in over time.
5. Inspect the drain pipes for clogs or other blockages, or repair and replace them if necessary.
6. Reapply sealant every two years to protect your retaining wall against weathering damage.
7. If you notice your retaining wall leaning towards one side, consult a structural engineer immediately. This could be a sign of structural issues that need immediate attention.
Conclusion
Landscaping is more than just an aesthetic choice when it comes to retaining walls. You can choose a wall for its practical application or for its ability to add curb appeal.
Find the perfect balance of beauty, reliability, and value when you create your outdoor living space with a retaining wall.
Watch as the eye-catching retaining walls’ attractiveness and usefulness stand the test of time.