There are many types of retaining walls. Here are some examples of a few types of walls
Boulder walls have been popular for many years. There are advantages with boulder walls. One is they tend to run a little cheaper to install. They look rustic and serve their purpose if installed correctly.
The problems they run into are:
1. They take up a lot of space horizontally.
2. Soil tends to slip through the crevasses of the boulders.
3. They pretty much have one type of look. It seems that if boulders are common in the area, every one tends to have them installed in their yards.
SRW walls or Segmented Retaining Walls are also very popular. They really don’t have any problems if installed correctly. It is very important however, to make sure they have adequate drainage behind the walls.
It is also true of boulders walls, but the drainage usually is gravel or drain rock behind the wall. It is difficult to install piped drainage behind a boulder wall. I tend to go back about three feet and install a french drain.
The advantages of Segmented Retaining Walls are many:
1. The install vertically very well. For example: a three foot segmented retaining wall takes up the width
of the wall unit plus usually about 1″ set back per block. Most blocks are 6″ high and one foot in depth so 18″ total set back. A boulder wall 3′ high can take up to 4-5 feet of your yard. Not to nice if you have the typical small yard. You need as much space as possible.
2. Segmented retaining walls have many styles
radius faced, straight faced, celtic,
3. Segmented retaining walls have many colors available.
4. Drainage is necessary behind all walls but easier and work better than a typical boulder wall.
5. There are many different price ranges for segmented retaining walls. Some are about the same cost of boulder walls and range up to the price of CMU block walls faced with cultured stone.
CMU Block walls faced with natural stone, cultured stone and brick.
1. These types of walls have all the same advantages of segmented retaining walls. They are a little more labor intensive to install. Thus they cost more.
2. The styles and colors of natural stone, cultured stone, brick are almost endless. You can definitely find what you want for color, texture and style.
Make sure your landscape contractor can perform you retaining wall work.
Make sure they are licensed and bonded
Ask them for references.
Are they certified?
Did you get a good impression when you met for the estimate.
It’s not the cheapest price but the value for what you are getting a bid on.
Is the contractor service oriented?
Do the references check out?
Does the contractor offer a warranty for their work?
For quality oriented certified award winning landscape contractors, Woody’s Custom Landscaping, Inc. is it.
Servicing Portland Oregon and Vancouver Washington with pride.
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