Retaining walls like fences can be considered for setting boundaries on your property or can be constructed for the sheer fancy of having an aesthetically pleasing hardscapes. But the functionality of retaining walls is not limited to just beauty & boundaries, on slopes it serves as a barrier to hold back the back earth which would otherwise move downwards. Right from rural settings in the suburb, retaining walls Sydney are used in agriculture as well as landscaping. Retaining walls can be built using a variety of materials like concrete, bricks, stones or even the classic wood.
- Concrete: Concrete retaining walls are durable in the long run. Resistant & inert to termite infestations as well as harsh weather conditions, be it extreme cold or extremely dry summer, concrete is the most preferred choice for retaining walls Sydney. Whether it is a gravity wall that you plan to build or piled and Cantilever retaining types, concrete guarantees sturdiness combined with elegance unmatched.
- Stone: Stone is a natural choice or option for building a retaining wall. Not only do they give an earthly feel to your landscape, stacking up stones to form a retaining wall Sydney that is sturdy and permanent in nature. Stone retaining walls often provide structural stability on building sites where erosion is a potential problem. Slates, sandstone & limestone are the most commonly used types for stone retaining walls.
- Bricks: An aesthetic choice for retaining walls, bricks can definitely augment the beauty of your garden or courtyard. Comparatively costlier as compared to concrete or stone retaining walls Sydney, they have an advantage of being easy to maintain & replace. A combination of stone & brick could also enhance the beauty of your property with its aesthetic combinations.
- Timber: Treated timber or wood is generally the element of choice here for retaining walls. They can be used to construct both permanent as well as temporary type of retaining walls Sydney. They are generally used for garden retaining walls for smaller areas. Timber or wood used has to be treated for termites. A combination of timber and a concrete base would be an ideal choice for retaining walls.
Types of Retaining Walls
Retaining walls serves as a decorative hardscapes as well as functional retainers. The major difference:
Functional retaining walls are built for structural purposes only such as to support a path or driveway; to allow different levels in the garden; or to maintain a slope around a tree or other landscape feature. Retaining walls are many and based on their functionality can be classified as gravity walls, pre cast crib, Gabion, Reinforced concrete, Sheet piles, Mechanically stabilized, slurry & secant walls & soil nailing. Most of these are used for agricultural or constructional purposes.
Mostly used for landscaping purposes, Decorative retaining walls are used to bring character to your garden or landscape. They are used to highlight the features of your landscaped property & can also serve as seats or a base for a fence.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/construction-articles/retaining-walls-sydney-5271177.html
About the Author
British brick laying Civil Contracting have been into business of constructing retaining walls & pavements since 20 long years. Thomas, the owner also provides an array of services including reconstruction, underpinning, extensions & all type of brick repairs.
