2. Wooden retaining walls have a place in a homeowner's landscape.
A flat yard that is being accented by a garden might get a boost
from the added visual impact that can be had from wooden
retaining walls. Walls do not have to be built very high in order to
qualify as a different kind of structure. The job a wooden retaining
structure can do in the case of an otherwise flat or uninteresting
landscape is to provide some height or depth. This can make that
yard much more appealing.
Retaining Walls
3. Besides this, these low level retaining walls can have a positive effect
on your garden. Much like sandstone retaining walls, these walls can
keep the soil from eroding and they can allow a certain amount of
drainage to occur that the garden would not get were it not for the
carefully designed wooden retaining structure. Above all else,
wooden structures are just one of several types to choose from
when endeavoring to install retaining walls around the home.
Retaining Walls
4. Deciding to Use Wood
For no other reason than aesthetics, you may choose wooden
material over other retaining materials like sandstone. Each
material creates a drastically different look. When choosing
wooden materials, you want to first think of the use the wooden
retaining walls and structures will have. If the retaining walls will
need to perform in a manner that will keep erosion at bay then it is
possible you will need to have an engineer assist with the designs
for the wooden walls.
Retaining Walls
5. For landscapes that are set along a slope, or for yards that are
adjacent to hillier grounds, it may be vital that the wooden
retaining walls are designed by a professional. This is because in
many ways these structures, while offering added beauty to the
landscape, will need to withstand the pressure of any rainfall or
snow run off that could threaten their stability. If a malfunctioning
structure were to collapse under the pressure it could affect the
safety of your home.
Retaining Walls
6. Essentially, poorly constructed wooden retaining walls could buckle
under pressure and possibly result in a flood or minor landslide right
there in your yard. If it is close enough, it absolutely could have a
serious impact to your home. This is often why some wooden
retaining walls cannot be constructed without a permit from your
municipality. All you are thinking of is a way to enhance your yard, or
give your landscape a make over. Yet, many times these structures
have serious work to do.
Retaining Walls
7. If, however, you want wooden retaining walls to be constructed at a
low level to create a border at the side of your yard to accent the
plants and shrubs there, you may be able to take up the job
yourself. If the only object is to provide beautification then nothing
necessitates the structure being particularly sound from an
engineering standpoint. That is, that it would need to be structurally
sound to the extent that you would like the wall to last after the
time and expense put into building it.
Retaining Walls
8. In other words, if a home made structure were to somehow fail to
hold up and that failure did not put any thing at risk such as your
home and family, you can probably safely experiment with
designing and building it yourself. For more intricate or complicated
landscapes and climates, it is probably best to hire a professional.
Allow them to assist with designing your wooden retaining walls
and installing them.
Retaining Walls
9. Protection and Beauty
Regarding climate considerations, you may want to limit the use of
wood in any designs in areas that are susceptible to wildfires. Some
municipalities may have restrictions that you can find out about
when determining if a permit is necessary. The same may also go
for those climates that might experience extremes in humidity and
moisture. These can affect the wood over time and create a
problem with rot which in turn could affect your plants or shrubs.
However, this problem is usually prevented by proper lining and
treatment at the base of the structure.
Retaining Walls
10. With the help of a professional landscape architect or engineer, a
suitable drainage system can be constructed with PVC piping during
the installation of the structure. Often timbers are treated in a
variety of ways to make them safe in just about any area. You may
want to ensure the safety and longevity of your structure by
investigating local landscape professionals to help you construct
them.
Their services will involve a degree of cost, but if you want
your wooden retaining walls, your home and property protected
against any possible damage it is certainly worth any reasonable
expense. Plus, a professional design can assure you that every detail
pertaining to the form and function of the structure is correct. This
can help to prevent any other problems with the structure in the
future.
Retaining Walls