What is the cheapest way to build a retaining wall

What is the cheapest way to build a retaining wall?

Retaining walls are used to control fill and topsoil and prevent erosion. Retaining walls can be made of stone, concrete blocks, cement blocks, or rot-resistant wood (such as pressure-treated wood). Today we will talk about the best way to build a retaining wall and how to get started.

What is a retaining wall?

A retaining wall is an outdoor feature in landscaping that retains or stores soil and prevents erosion. Retaining walls are traditionally placed on state highways to prevent soil from settling onto the road. Retaining walls are also used in landscaping where driveways or other features are cut into hills. When combined with plants, gutters and other landscape features, retaining walls can be part of erosion control.

What is the simplest retaining wall design?

In general, DIYers can install small (less than 36 inches in height) retaining walls using wood studs. Landscape wood is often confused with pressure-treated 4 x 4 lumber, but they are not the same. Landscape trees are low trees used mostly for their strength, not their appearance.

Landscape timber has angles that resemble logs when put together. Long, corrosion-resistant nails are driven into the ground and wood to prevent the wall from cracking. But because wood planks are only 3 inches by 4 inches wide, they cannot provide support for retaining walls longer than 48 inches (4 feet). High walls should be made of masonry material.

Can I build a retaining wall myself?

Yes. Depending on your knowledge of masonry and wood, you can make your own wall. As previously mentioned, most do-it-yourselfers have the tools and skills to build a wall using landscape wood. If you have experience working with concrete, you can build walls using concrete blocks or cement blocks.

Here we will discuss the cheapest ways to build a retaining wall and the advantages and disadvantages of each method, listed from cheapest to most expensive.

Landscape Timber

As previously mentioned, perhaps the easiest retaining wall for DIYers is the wood wall. Fortunately, it is also one of the least expensive types of retaining walls, as the only materials needed are wood and some nails. Landscape wood retaining walls can be built quickly and using only a few tools that most DIYers already have, such as a saw and a hammer. Landscape trees are also solitary, so they can be placed directly on the ground without rotting.

Cost: Approximately $12-$15 per square foot

Natural Stone

Natural stones such as slate and waterstone can also be used to create beautiful walls. In terms of cost, natural stone is the cheapest if the stone can be collected. Natural stone holds walls by using the weight of the mixture and the stone itself to resist the force from the filler. Natural stone retaining walls can be thick but unless steel equipment is used the thickness should be at least 250 mm or at least about 10 inches.

If the goal is to collect concrete for retaining walls, the choice of concrete will affect the installation. For example, some natural stone walls, such as those using slate, generally require less mortar but more stone. Since waterstones and similar stones are generally larger and take up more space, fewer stones will be used. Therefore, it is important to remember that choosing the right stone will affect the work and materials used to complete the project.

Price: 0-30 USD per square meter

Concrete Block

Concrete block wall is one of the most used structures because it is simple and affordable. Feel free to create. Since concrete blocks are also available in different sizes, they are versatile options, especially when filled with concrete and/or rebar. Building a stone block wall can be a DIY project, but the work involved can be significant. Retaining walls made of concrete also require a concrete foundation, which increases the overall cost.

Price: Approximately 20-30$ per square meter.

Interlocking concrete blocks for purpose for purpose for purpose for purpose for purpose for purpose for purpose for purpose for brushing interlocking concrete blocks include a lip on the bottom edge of each block to provide support for the two blocks, eliminating the need for mortar. Mortar is not used in interlocking retaining walls and can be used for retaining walls up to 30 inches high. However, this method requires preparation of additional materials such as space and sand.

Interlocking concrete blocks are laid in the same way as paving stones. Usually very fine sand is placed on the bottom and the weight of the rock embeds the rock into the sand. Then place the remaining blocks to the recommended height specified by the manufacturer. Interlocking concrete blocks are easy to use and install but can be as expensive as concrete depending on the application.

Cost: About $20-25 per square foot

Pouring Concrete

Pouring a solid concrete wall will create the strongest retaining wall, but it will also be the most expensive. Excavation and labor costs account for more than 50% of the cost of concrete retaining walls, so large walls can be expensive. Cast stone walls can also be reinforced with rebar or other metal structures, allowing them to rise when necessary.

Cost: Approximately $25-40 per square meter

Railroad Ties

A common wall option uses railroad ties. Rail has very good resistance to rot (like wood structure), but requires maintenance and skin protection. Rails are resistant to rot and insects because they contain a chemical called creosote, which can cause skin burns.

The method of installing the sleepers is to dig a trench slightly larger than the sleepers and put it in the pit as the foundation. Subsequent connections can be bolted together (using cables or other large fasteners) for greater durability. https://cheapretainingwallideas.com/ Rail tie retaining walls can be up to 6 feet (72 inches) high, but if they are taller than four feet (48 inches) they must be supported by metal rods.

Price: Approximately 25-30$ per square meter