Ultimate Guide to Retaining Walls: Pros, Cons, Cost

​Retaining walls are considered as a form of hardscaping that enhances the property appeal of residential and commercial properties. From the word itself “retain”, its purpose it to hold the earth in place.

​If you ever thought of installing it for your home or commercial area, you are reading the right article! Here is the ultimate guide that will provide you more than just tips and tricks!

​In this article, we will cover the following topics:

• Planning
• Choosing the Materials
• Advantages
• Disadvantages
• Cost
• DIY vs Professional Contractors

Without further ado, let’s get started.

What are Retaining Walls?

​These are barriers or partitions that are used to support soil in order to be retained on two side in different levels. This provides a structure that is designed to prevent soil to slopes. Some home and business owners prefer installing them in their area due to the different benefits that it offers.

​These benefits include;

• Increasing your property’s ROI
• Prevent floods and erosion
• Makes your area more visually appealing

​For homeowners, it adds functionality to their outdoor living space. It can be incorporated in stairways, walkways and patios making your unruly landscapes an eye-candy for your family and visitors.

Planning Your Retaining Walls

​Evaluate the factors such as the height, type of materials to be used, doing it yourself or hiring a professional. Here are some of the few questions to ask yourself as you plan the construction:

• How tall does it need to be?
• What are the ideal materials you would like to use?
• Will you be able to do it yourself or are you interested on hiring a professional to work for you?
• Are you going to incorporate stairways, patios, and walkways?

Knowing the shape and size of the retaining wall that you will need is going to help you throughout the building process. Retaining wall contractors can help you select the best material for your project. You may contact our specialists here at Orlando Retaining Walls at (407) 543-2207!

​When it comes to the height, if it is more than 800m, you will be needing to talk to a structural engineer that will help you with the design and structure of it.

​Determining the length and height will allow you to know the cost and the quantity of materials that you will need.

Selecting Retaining Wall Materials

Choosing the right material plays a huge role when building. The ability to support is most likely determined when you know the materials you will be using to build your wall.
​
Here are some of the most common materials that are used for constructing the walls:

 

• Concrete

Concrete is a durable and strong material can last for more than 50 years. It the 2nd most used material in the construction industry with over 10 billion tons of concrete produced every year!
 
It is easy to install, low maintenance and eco-friendly since it does not emit any dangerous chemicals to the environment!
 

• Stone

Stone or natural stone is used if you prefer the classic type of retaining wall. It is lightweight which makes building the wall much easier. Stone is another durable material that will not crack or fade in ages.
 

• Brick

This type of material is one of the most popular due to its appeal. Bricks provides a warm and inviting look and complements traditional homes and landscapes!
 
Bricks are low maintenance and is one of the eco-friendliest materials in the word. It is also weather and fire resistance since brick can withstand weather and debris abuse.
 

• Gabion

One of the oldest methods in this type of construction. Gabion came from gabbia which means cage in Italian. These are simple cages that are built out of wire or steel rods that are filled with stones.
 
Gabion firmly stays in their position even with the worst weather conditions. The sections are also very easy to upgrade or replace. It is also eco-friendly since it uses natural materials.
 

• Timber

Don’t be confused with wood and timber since they are both not the same building material. Timber is described as a part of a tree that has been cut. Finished timber is the type of wood that has been cut and processed in different sizes.
 
Timber is affordable compared to other building materials. It is also easy to install since it’s just a stack and nail type of job. It also brings old school feel to your home.

​If you are still unsure on what type of materials you are going to use for your project, contact our specialists at (407) 543-2207.

Advantages of Retaining Walls

​These walls are well known for their purpose which is to support or retain the soil in areas that has a slope. Aside from that, listed below are more of it advantages for your area.

1. Improves Property Appearance

​The use can significantly enhance your place’s overall appearance. It can provide an aesthetic statement to either to your commercial space or residential outdoor area. Depending on the material to be used, it can appear as modern, traditional, classy, or elegant which can suit your home’s style.

2. Reduces Property Damage and Hazards

​Property damage is a serious issue that can cost a fortune as soon as it will be needing the repairs. The walls are a protective layer that can stop soil from erosion, floor damage, landslides and even sinkholes!

3. Increase Property Value

​It is considered to have these walls appealing to home and business owners. It adds integrity to properties since these walls are known to be a protective structure that supports soil. If you plan on selling your home or putting up a commercial space for lease, it can help increase your ROI!

4. Easy to Maintain

When installed correctly by a professional, there is little else to be done for maintenance. They are meant to withstand hard conditions therefore it’s quite rare to have them repaired. If there are any larger issues, contact us here at Orlando Retaining Walls at (407) 543-2207 and we’d be glad to help you with it!

Disadvantages of Retaining Walls

​Even if they are known to be strong, durable, and can withstand any damage, it also has its disadvantages.

1. Limitations

​There could be some limitations when it comes to installing them and it also depends on the materials used. It would be quite difficult to change the placement of the walls in the future. When removing the walls, it can be complicated that you have to call specialists to help you out.

2. Installation Challenges

Doing it yourself isn’t ideal. It could lead to repairs that could cost a fortune. Hiring an experienced professional will save you with all those costs. Call our contractors at (407) 543-2207 and we will help you with your retaining wall needs!

Cost of Retaining Walls

​You already might have an idea how much it would cost just by looking at it. There are different factors that can affect the cost such as the following:

1. Location – In areas that has a higher risk of extreme weather and other natural disasters may be needing a greater structural reinforcement.
2. Materials – The cost of materials may also vary. There are materials that are heavy which could also add to the labor cost.
3. Soils – You might be needing the process of excavation in areas of soils that expands and bedrock.

​Here is a brief list to give you an idea of how much it would cost for each type of material:

​1. Wood can cost up to $20-25 per square feet.
2. Stone varies from $25-40 per square feet.
3. Concrete Blocks is at around $15-30 per square feet.
4. Poured Concrete can cost up to $30-40 per square feet.

If you are unsure on the type of material to be used for your project, our contractors here at Orlando Retaining Walls can help provide a customized plan that meets your property’s needs and budget!

DIY vs Professional Contractors

You might be debating whether you should take on the challenge of a DIY project or hire a professional to do it for you. A handy homeowner can install it on their own, but it also has its pros and cons.
 
Installing these walls can be time-consuming and complex to those who are not experienced enough. It can also lead to errors that could cause repairs and damages in the future that would be needing professional attention. Doing it yourself could save you some labor costs, but this is in exchange of your time.
 
Compared to hiring contractors, they are experienced in their field. The speed of installation will be fast, and they have knowledge when it comes to quality materials used. The only main disadvantage when hiring a professional is the labor cost. You’re not just paying for labor itself, but as well their expertise.
 
We hope that this article helped you with all you need to know about retaining walls. If you think of having them up soon in your home or commercial space, contact our contractors today at (407) 453-2207 and get a FREE ESTIMATE!