Retaining walls have become a common and preferred way for terracing residential houses in many areas. Such a structural element provides the dual purpose of preventing soil and water erosion while improving the aesthetic quality of the entire area. While different materials can be used for building a retaining wall, heavy stones are an optimal option for upholding the functional element of the wall. One should carefully choose the type of stone as it would not only affect the functionality of the wall but also play a vital role in its beauty and appeal.
Recommended for you: Gardening Tricks and Tips for Smaller Garden
Stones Used for Building Retaining Wall
Depending on aspects such as a location of the wall, availability, and personal preferences, one may choose amongst the following types of retaining wall stones:
#1. Natural Stone: Natural stones such as granite are a popular as well as a recommended choice owing to its natural look, sturdy and durable nature, and rustic appeal. Granite is not only a heavy material which can be used for holding back the soil but also have a great traditional aesthetic appeal. Moreover, it can also be built higher than using limestone blocks.
#2. Concrete: Concrete is an alternative for people looking for a more modern and contemporary appeal. Concrete provides clean lines and can be used to build higher walls for houses on steep slopes. It is strong and can be molded in any shape and style. One may also dye the stones in any color for an artistic design.
#3. Limestone: Limestone is a relatively lighter stone and can be cut into any shape and size. Since they are light in weight, larger stones are used for building a retaining wall to hold back the soil. One can get limestone, as well as sandstone, in light shades of tan, gray, and white.
#4. Field stone: This is a more rounded stone than freshly broken quarried stones. Their local availability reduces the expenses on transportation, thereby making them a relatively less expensive option. This diverse stone also ranges in size from hand-size small rocks to huge boulders which one can choose according to their need.
#5. Faux Stone: As the name suggests, one can choose a faux stone also which although is concrete, gives the look of natural stone. Although they come in standard sizes, they are designed to lock together to form a sturdy wall optimal for unstable regions with wet soil. The constructor may even leave some vertical spaces every few feet between the stones to allow the water to sweep out and not put pressure on the wall.
These are some of the common types of rocks used for building a retaining wall in residential as well as commercial properties. It is recommended to formulate a budget and check for the weather conditions and slope of your particular area which determine the soil and water erosion probabilities before choosing materials for retaining walls. One should also hire a reputable professional for building the retaining wall to ensure the quality installation that lasts long. Not only quality materials but also optimal installation would determine the life and sturdiness of the retaining wall. The professional would also be able to guide you through the process of choosing the retaining wall material that is most optimal for your particular needs. You may either take references from your friends or search online for the reputed manufacturers or suppliers of materials for retaining walls in your area. You may further check for their reviews provided by their previous customers online to ascertain their credibility.
You may also like:Discover 7 Welcoming Front Gardens That Will Make You Feel Right at Home