Concrete retaining wall blocks are generally more cost-effective than poured concrete walls. They offer a balance between affordability and durability, often being more budget-friendly and easier to install, reducing labor costs.
Concrete and Boulder Walls
Standing at the pinnacle of durability, poured concrete walls and boulder walls boast the longest lifespan. Their robustness ensures they can endure the test of time, often lasting 50 years and beyond.
Poured concrete is the strongest and most durable choice for retaining walls. It may also be carved and formed to look like mortared stone depending on your taste.
The height and length of your retaining wall also affect the overall cost. Taller and longer walls require more materials and labor, increasing expenses. For the cheapest retaining wall, consider building a shorter wall or using terracing techniques to reduce the required height.
Gravity retaining walls
They are the simplest and earliest recorded type of retaining wall. Built of concrete, masonry, brick, blocks or mass cast-in-situ concrete, these hard-wearing structures rely on their large weight to resist toppling and sliding caused by the lateral earth pressure from the soil behind them.
You can choose from poured concrete or a segmented block wall (also known as SRW). SRW is completely mortarless and maintenance-free, and is the most durable option for retaining wall construction.
More modern landscapes tend to favor straight retaining walls as the sleek, straight lines are likely to meld in well with the predominant look and feel of the yard. For more traditional yards or yards that emphasize more natural surroundings, a curved retaining wall could be a better option.
Disadvantages of Retaining Walls
Retaining walls require careful planning and engineering to ensure they are strong enough to hold back the soil. Another disadvantage of retaining walls is that they can be difficult to maintain. Retaining walls can be susceptible to erosion, cracking, and other types of damage.
There are a few different factors that can influence retaining wall cost: Material. Common retaining wall materials include concrete blocks, natural stone, and timber. Each has its price range, with natural stone typically being the most expensive and timber the least.
Soil saturation is the most common external factor that causes retaining wall failure, but there are many ways to prevent it.
In order to provide proper drainage, at least 12 inches of granular backfill (gravel or a similar aggregate) should be installed directly behind the wall. Compacted native soil can be used to backfill the rest of the space behind the wall.
Stone and Concrete: Stone and concrete are among the most durable materials for retaining walls. Natural stone can last up to 100 years, while concrete blocks can also serve you well for decades. These materials are resistant to weathering and erosion, making them ideal for long-term use.
A retaining wall will prove a worthwhile investment, as it drastically slows down erosion by holding soil in place. Not only that, but it'll also level out sloped land and turn it into flat, usable space! With this feature, it won't just provide functional benefits but stylistic ones, too.
What is the cheapest type of retaining wall? Poured concrete is the cheapest type of retaining wall, in terms of materials. Pressure-treated pine is next, and wood retaining walls are becoming more popular now. If you prefer stone, granite is generally the least expensive option.
The fabric prevents these coarse-grained materials from infiltrating drainage channels, including the gravel and drainpipes. In turn, this allows water a safe, streamlined path to outlets below and away from the retaining wall.
“Basically, anything that is not standard will be more expensive, whether curved or angled.” The expense, according to Fitzpatrick, is mainly from the additional labour, rather than the materials, with curves and angles more difficult to set up and construct.
For DIYers, it's easiest to use concrete retaining wall blocks that interlock. Interlocking blocks fit together and add extra security to the wall. For retaining wall ideas, visit your local store for inspiration. When the soil behind a retaining wall gets wet, it exerts much more pressure and weight against the wall.
The signs of retaining wall failure can be obvious to the naked eye like the cracking of concrete, bowing of wood or bulging of brick, however, other symptoms may be more discrete like inadequate sub-soil drainage or surrounding soil collapse.
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Before building the retaining wall, lay a 6-inch layer of drainage gravel as a base course. The crushed stone base allows for proper drainage behind the wall. Compact the gravel with a mechanical compactor in 2-inch layers. Level and smooth the gravel before setting the first course of blocks.
The high price tag comes down to a combination of factors, including materials, labor, engineering requirements, and site conditions. Whether it's a small garden wall or a massive structure for slope stabilization, retaining walls require precise construction to handle the forces of nature and last for years.
In summary, retaining walls do need a footing to ensure they are structurally sound and have proper drainage to prevent cracking or collapse. Without a footing, the ground beneath the retaining wall can shift, which can cause the wall to shift as well, leading to cracking or collapse.