Using retaining walls to create protection from erosion or manage sloped ground is a common choice in landscaping. Whether your design is out of necessity or aesthetic, the final project should be sound and beautiful for your landscape in Saratoga, NY. Look to a Unilock Authorized Contractor to enjoy remarkable materials with guaranteed completion and function. As you embark upon the process of designing and implementing the plan for your property, a bit of understanding concerning the basics of retaining wall construction will give you a clearer idea of what it involves and why professional installation is a good option.
The Plan
All landscaping endeavors should begin with a plan. Creating this plan should include an understanding of the construction and the assistance of a professional landscape contractor. The plan should center not just on the retaining wall itself but also how the feature will fit within the overall design plan of the landscape, including the rest of the grounds, the plantings, and the exterior of the home. Every element should be balanced, unified, and complementary.
Related Read: Considering a Facelift for Your Retaining Walls in Brewster, NY?
The Foundation
As with any structure, retaining walls begin with the base. Because these walls need to hold back heavy loads of soil, the base should be below ground level, and the depth should increase with the height of the wall. A substantial base will consist of several layers of soil and gravel which are compacted significantly to offer the needed strength for your retaining wall.
The Backfill
Directly behind the wall, you’ll find backfill – a foot of gravel or other material at the base of the back of the wall. Over this gravel, landscapers will generally place a minimum of half a foot of previously excavated soil, and for landscaping purposes, this layer may be even larger.
The Drainage
Since one of the purposes of a retaining wall is to prevent erosion, the wall shouldn’t allow for water to pass through it. Drainage will therefore be an essential part of the construction. The backfill generally fulfills part of this need, but you should also consider that weep holes, piping, or other drainage alternatives may be needed.
Height
Most retaining walls fall between three and four feet high. Any higher than this maximum, and an engineer will be required to ensure stability and safety of the wall. Tall walls will need concrete footers and other mechanisms designed to keep it sound. Many landscape designers may choose to use several layers of normal height walls instead.
The Materials
The wall itself will consist of vertical building units and coping materials. These products are readily found within the Unilock catalog in a wide variety of styles. Most of the wall units offered by Unilock include their own matching coping option. Knowing how the wall will be constructed should help with your expectations, and a professional guiding your design plan will be able to help you choose materials that will work for your property, both functionally and aesthetically. Whether you choose options like Brussels Dimensional System, Rivercrest Wall, Estate Wall, Lineo Dimensional Stone, or a combination of several different Unilock wall units, you can be sure that the construction will be sound, durable, and aesthetically appropriate for your high-quality landscape.
The title image features a plant bed retaining wall built from Estate Wall in Almond Grove from Unilock.
