If you are dealing with the challenges of a sloped landscape it can seem impossible to use the full potential of your landscape, and erosion is a constant threat to the land and any structures. You can use a retaining wall to control erosion, expand your patio, or create additional usable space above the wall but if you’re worried about the cost, here’s how a retaining wall can be a budget-friendly option for erosion control in the Trenton, MI area.
A retaining wall is primarily built for supporting a landscape so the choice in materials is hugely important. It will affect the size and function of the wall, as well as its aesthetics and its cost.
Natural Stone
Natural stone is a gorgeous material that has been used in building walls for centuries. It’s beautiful, durable, and unique. However, natural stone is far from the most affordable building material.
The initial cost of the stone itself may be on par with other materials, but the more random shapes and sizes make for much more involved installation.
Concrete Blocks Clad with Stone Veneer
Concrete blocks are more commonly used to create taller retaining walls, but they aren’t the most aesthetically pleasing. You can keep the look of natural stone but lower the cost is to install plain concrete structural blocks clad with a stone veneer.
Cladding concrete blocks with a stone veneer gives you a strong wall and plenty of design options. Veneers are available in natural stone and manufactured stone options. Manufactured stone veneers are inspired by natural stone but give you a greater range of colors, textures, and patterns.
Decorative Concrete Blocks
Decorative concrete blocks feature a face that’s inspired by the natural stone. Whether they are solid or feature a hollow center for lighter weight, they are uniform in size and designed for fast installation. The blocks can be as expensive as natural stone, but you’ll save money on installation. Some styles sit one on top of another and require the use of mortar for structural stability. Other styles can be dry-stacked (mortar-less) and held together with a rear lip connection.
Decorative concrete blocks come in vertical or setback styles. Blocks with a built-in setback speed up installation and deliver a structural wall that can be much taller than a perfectly vertical retaining wall. Keep the height of your retaining wall in mind when deciding between blocks designed to be stacked vertically or with a setback.
Decorative concrete blocks and veneers make it more cost-effective to build walls that aren’t just straight. Embrace the curves of your landscape, and create special features built-in seating nooks, ninety-degree turns, or even integrated water features.
Landscape Timbers
Landscape timbers are another option for a straight budget-friendly retaining wall. They are the cheapest, in initial material cost and installation. However, wood will deteriorate over time, even if it’s treated. Factor in how wet the area is; how long you want the wall to last; and what the replacement cost will be.
Poured Concrete
The cheapest option is poured concrete. This type of wall needs to be engineered to withstand the immense forces of waterlogged soil. If you like an industrial look, keep it plain. If you want to add beauty, clad the wall in a veneer (this will add to the cost).
Think Long-Term: a Permanent Solution
There are many ways to control erosion in a landscape, including engineered base stabilizer, controlling runoff, and covering the soil with plants, stone, or other landscaping materials. A retaining wall offers a permanent solution to erosion problems.
Related: 4 REASONS A FIRE PIT MAY BE PERFECT NEAR A RETAINING WALL IN TRENTON, MI
