Concrete retaining wall pros and cons

Provided by Networx.com

Retaining walls built of stone or brick are the traditional style and usually blend nicely into their surrounding landscape. The question is, though: are these really the best materials for the job today? The purpose of a retaining wall in a residential setting is to correct the natural slope of the grounds, leaving a level area for gardening, building a patio, or otherwise enjoying more of your property than you would otherwise be able to. This function calls for a huge amount of strength, endurance, and resistance to the elements. Nowadays, concrete may be the material that best fits the bill. Lets look at the pros and cons of installing a concrete retaining wall on your land.

Pro

Choice. There are three basic types of concrete retaining wall installation: concrete blocks, precast concrete panels, or poured-in-place concrete. This allows you the flexibility to choose the method thats right for your situation.

Strength. Concrete is extremely strong, which is a vital quality when youre talking about holding up tons of earth and water. Whats more, after installation, your concrete retaining wall will continue to cure in place, further increasing its strength.

Durability. A concrete wall can stand up to the test of time, often lasting for a century or longer.

Resistance. Do you want a retaining wall thats fireproof, rot-proof, and rustproof? Concretes right for the job. Precast concrete also tends to be exceptionally resistant to road salts and freeze-thaw cycles in harsh winter climates.

Ease of installation. It is usually faster and easier to install a concrete retaining wall compared to other, much more labor-intensive types.

Flexibility. Concrete will allow you to build curves, angles, or staircases into the retaining wall design with a minimum of difficulty.

Good looks. Say goodbye to the boring gray concrete of yesteryear. Todays concrete offers you a plethora of design and color possibilities. It can be made to look like a variety of materials, such as stone, or it may be faced with a natural stone veneer. There are special stains for coloring concrete to the shade of your choice.

Read more here:
Concrete retaining wall pros and cons