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