Comparing Three Common Types Of Retaining Wall Materials

Retaining walls are common landscaping installations that are used to prevent soil erosion, create terraced areas in your yard, and provide better drainage to your landscape. However, not all retaining walls are made out of the same materials, and different building materials all have a different set of advantages and drawbacks to offer. Understanding what three of the most common types of building materials used for retaining walls have to offer can help you choose the one that is best suited to your landscaping needs.

Wood Retaining Walls

Wood is a popular choice for retaining walls largely because of the aesthetic that it provides. Wooden posts and planks can create a natural appearance that easily blends into the rest of your landscape, especially if you already have other wooden installations like a fence or a deck. Further, the material cost of wood tends to be a little lower than other types of building materials. However, wood is not as durable as some of the other available materials for retaining walls, and may rot or suffer from moisture damage over time.

Natural Stone Retaining Walls

Another common material used for retaining walls are large rocks and stones stacked on top of each other. Like wood, boulders and stones can easily blend into your landscape and can match the existing aesthetic of your yard if you have a natural stone patio or driveway installed. However, stones can be heavy to put into place, which means that the installation process can be longer and more involved, requiring a greater amount of disruption to your yard. Furthermore, stacked boulders are not as good at regulating water flow as a more uniformly installed material would be, which can contribute to drainage issues with natural stone retaining walls.

Brick Retaining Walls

Retaining walls that are made out of brick are a bit of a compromise between wood and natural stone retaining walls. They are installed in a uniform manner, providing much better drainage than natural stone walls will, but are immune to rotting and mold growth which can damage wood retaining walls. They are also relatively lightweight, and can be easily carried and installed, reducing the time commitment associated with brick retaining walls. However, their lighter weight and smaller size means that they may require additional support to hold back larger amounts of soil, which can make installation a little more complicated and more expensive.

Contact a company like Rock Solid Services LLC for more information.

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