Pros and Cons of 3 Types of Retaining Walls

Here are 3 types of retaining walls available for your project. They all have their pluses and minuses – let’s check them out.

Wood Tie retaining wall – Although sometimes referred to as a railroad tie retaining wall they are rarely made from railroad ties anymore. They are simply wood ties that are fastened together to perform the duties of a retaining wall.

Price:  $$$$, 2 out of 4

Difficulty:  ****,  2 out of 4

Pros:

• Cost – A wood retaining wall can be very cost effective.

• Easy – Wooden tie retaining walls are often installed by do it yourselfers. They require few tools and can be installed quickly by homeowners and landscape companies alike.

• Beauty – A wood retaining wall can look great, making it the “old reliable” choice for many landscaping companies.
  

Cons:

• Wood Rots – Wood will eventually rot. The new pressure treated stuff is amazing, but there will be a time when you will need to call your retaining wall installer to replace it.

• Strength – While great for holding up a two foot tall plant bed A wood retaining wall would not be my first choice for more complex projects.

A wooden retaining wall - Monroe, NY

SRW Block Retaining Wall – SRW’s are Segmental Retaining Walls that use high quality concrete blocks to create a retaining wall.

Price:  $$$$,  3 out of 4     

Difficulty:  ****,  4 out of 4

Pros:

• Versatile – They can be used in a variety of situations to create curves, corners, stairs, columns, and more. SRW’s are often the choice of Landscape and Hardscape contractors.

• Strength – One of the strongest, longest lasting types of retaining walls on the market.

• Beauty – Block Retaining Walls look great, one of the mail reasons for their popularity, besides the two reasons above that is. 

•  Speed – SRW’s install fast.

Cons:

• Color Choice – SRW walls are only available in the colors that you see in the catalog.

• Installers are not regulated – I have seen many block retaining wall failures and poor craftsmanship as a result of inexperienced retaining wall installers. While a small project may be just fine for a “new guy” the more complicated jobs require more experience.

A Concrete Block (SRW) Retaining Wall, Monroe, NY

StoneMakers Concrete – StoneMakers concrete retaining walls are built with high strength concrete and then textured to look like stone.

Price:  $$$$, 3 out of 4

Difficulty:  ****,  4 out of 4

Pros:

• Versatile – StoneMakers concrete retaining walls can be created in just about any shape you can dream up.

• Strength – Normally a tie with block, but StoneMakers walls can be made thicker in areas where more strength is needed.

• Beauty – StoneMakers concrete retaining walls are an attractive alternative to standard concrete.

• Speed – StoneMakers retaining walls install fast.

• Trained Dealer Network – To install a StoneMakers retaining wall, dealers must attend training where they learn from the best in the industry.

Cons:

• Permanent – You will need heavy equipment to dismantle a StoneMakers retaining wall.

Another Happy Customer! -This retaining wall was built in Orange County, NY