In the last twenty years, a new kind of retaining wall has been gaining popularity with homeowners, particularly the Do-It-Yourself folks. Up until now, if you wanted to build a retaining wall you were limited to the labor intensive materials of brick, stone or rock. Timbers, particularly railroad ties were easier to install but tend to only last about fifteen years before the rot requires replacement. But with the development of concrete retaining wall technology, a quicker easier method has arrived for building retaining walls.
Poured Concrete
Poured concrete retainer walls are the strongest of the two types of concrete retaining wall. They are also very versatile and can look quite spectacular when using various molds to create the look of stone walls without the hassle or cost of real stone. All you need to do is set the forms, create whatever texture you want by installing liners in the forms, and then pouring either colored or plain concrete into the forms. After it has set, you just strip the forms and then stain the concrete to complete it’s transformation from ordinary poured concrete to stunning looking stone or rock. You can also use many kinds of cast-in-place form liners to do a variety of very creative looks.
Concrete Blocks
Concrete blocks are used in another kind of concrete retaining wall. These types of wall use lips, gravity and filled cores to connect rows and increase strength. The blocks can also come in a variety of finishes and textures to suit just about any landscape. When building a concrete retaining wall from concrete blocks, you should use all the rules mentioned in the landing page of this site regarding safety and engineering concerns.
Whichever type of concrete retaining wall you choose to build; be sure to plan carefully and allow plenty of time to complete the project so you don’t rush yourself. A well built concrete retaining wall will last you a lifetime and both enhance and protect the home it surrounds for years to come.