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[Posted on November 4, 2011]
Retaining Walls
Retaining Walls: Dream Big!
A retaining wall is a functional piece of landscaping-it is there to hold back earth and terrace a yard. It should be strong, watertight, and made of a suitable material for the job at hand. Even with that said, however, there is no reason you cannot have fun with this hardscape feature. Dream big when it comes these walls and their uses in your yard!
One of the best parts about a retaining wall is that you can use it to create many layers in a sloped yard. For example, you can build several tiers of wide flower boxes using retaining walls. Connect these tiers with stone steps, platforms for benches and perhaps a fountain and you have a very unique and polished looking yard.
Retaining walls can also be used in large projects. Certainly, they are helpful in building small walls, but they also can be used in higher applications, where you need to hold back a large quantity of dirt and other material. You can even build walls that are six and seven feet high with the right planning and materials (note, be sure to speak to a professional mason before building this high, in order to ensure that your wall will be sturdy and water will have way to drain from behind it).
You can also build unique features out of retaining walls. An outdoor stone and grass amphitheater, for example, is really just a series of small half-moon shaped walls. Perhaps this is not the best project for a small yard, but it is one that a larger sloped yard could accommodate. Likewise, you could build off of this principle of a small amphitheater and fill each level with hanging plants or vegetable and flower gardens for a many layered garden. This garden would be both beautiful and functional!
Another aspect of customizing retaining walls occurs in the materials they are made of. Since these walls can be built of many different masonry materials-concrete block, bricks, limestone, and other natural stones-you have a wide range of shapes, textures, and colors to choose from. You can make the walls match or complement your home. You can mix and match colors within the same hardscape and you can play with designs within the walls themselves.
So, before you consign yourself to building just another wall to hold back dirt, consider the many possibilities and customizable nature of retaining walls. Chances are you will be surprised by what you find!
[Posted on September 21, 2010]
Retaining Walls
One of the most versatile pieces of outside home décor and landscaping is the retaining wall. While obviously functional, this wall can be customized to fit a variety of projects, settings, tastes, and needs. It is the perfect complement to any yard, flower bed, sloped driveway, or other outdoor setting.
While this structure can be aesthetically appealing, it ultimately keeps uneven earth in one place, despite the fact that soil, water, and other parts of the landscape constantly push against it. In order to create a strong wall, thought and care are necessary. A proper design and a well-made drainage system are crucial elements to a sturdy wall. There are four different designs to choose from when selecting a retaining wall for your home's needs: a gravity wall, a piling wall, a cantilever wall, and an anchored wall. Each of these different designs will fit specific landscapes and materials. It is important to consult with a builder before choosing the right retaining wall for your project.
These walls can be constructed from a variety of materials- wood, earth, concrete, and stone. By far, however, stone walls are the most popular for home projects. Choosing stone not only allows you to create elevated landscaping projects, but it can also introduce a wide variety of color palates in your yard. Varied textures and shapes of the stones can also enhance the beauty of your project. Building a retaining wall can help create more usable space in steep yards, and it can create places for sitting, planting, and even patio furniture. When thinking about ways to enhance your unique outdoor space, consider the possibilities a retaining wall offers!