Retaining walls are essentially just a flat structure designed to surround an area with raised walls so as to prevent water from draining away into the ground. They can be constructed out of concrete, stone, or any other material. They are usually built in arid climates where rainwater is not common. In such cases, a well-designed retaining wall can provide a number of benefits to a landscape design.
These landscape elements can add to the aesthetic appeal of a home, and hence should be given sufficient importance in landscaping design. With a well-designed retaining wall, a beautiful entrance can also be added to the property. Of course, a good design should make that entrance looks like an out of doors space. Well-designed stone retaining wall ideas add that certain feel of an outside room to the home. It doesn’t have to be an out-of-doors room, since a retaining wall can be positioned anywhere on the property, and thus designed in any way that enhances the curb appeal of the house.
The idea behind retaining wall ideas is to enhance the usability of the outdoor space of the house. It helps to conserve water and thereby reduce wastage of water. As a result, excessive water, which is used for landscaping purposes, can be recycled or reused to grow more vegetation. This makes the land more useful and valuable.
Landscape retaining walls are normally built using solid rock or a mixture of rocks and soil. Several types of materials can be used for the purpose, depending on the climate and available resources. For instance, stones made from limestone and slate are used in colder climates. Concrete retaining walls are used in warmer areas, while retaining walls made from clay and cedar are ideal for tropical regions.
Before you start designing the landscape retaining wall, make sure you know the purpose it is supposed to serve. If it is to act as a safety barrier, then make sure you get rid of sharp objects that could hurt passersby. Sharp pointed rocks should be kept away from the path of walkways and flower beds. In case of decorative concrete blocks, they should be kept away from water bodies and lakes. In case of perforated metal sheets, they should not be placed close to electrical lines and underground cables.
In cases where aesthetics are not important, you can use large natural stone retaining walls for the landscaping purpose. Since they look very stylish and pleasing to the eye, they are often used as part of home landscaping and architecture. You can create a beautiful landscape by building retaining walls using natural stone. When landscaping, you can use these natural stone retaining walls in pairs, one above the other.
The first step is to excavate the area that you want to be used for the retaining walls. In this case, concrete is the preferred option. If the location of your home is on the bank of a stream or a lake, you can build retaining walls that resemble the form of water masses. For example, you can build small islands out of concrete and plant low grasses around them. If you do not have enough natural stone for the project, you can buy cheap concrete stones from any hardware store. Just remember that the color of the stones used in landscaping and architecture is usually uniform – so you may need to apply a layer of stain to make the stones look like a solid mass.
After selecting the type of material to be used for landscaping, you can start building the retaining walls. It is best to hire a professional landscaping company for this job since they are trained and experienced in this field. They can also guide you in the proper installation procedures. By following the recommended materials, you will find that landscaping your outdoor space will be very easy.