Why It Makes Complete Sense to Use Concrete Retaining Walls
In terms of materials for a retaining wall, you have more than a few choices, from stone to brick to wood and concrete. But it can be argued that concrete is an optimum choice amongst all these materials. Since a retaining wall’s usual purpose is to retain soil or earth within an area and protect property from the effects of erosion or water damage, it follows that your retaining wall needs to have immense strength and stability. So whilst other materials may be fine for a residential wall project, it’s best to go for concrete retaining walls for various reasons if you are involved in a commercial project. Here’s why it makes complete sense to use concrete retaining walls.
- Different options
There are three main kinds of concrete walls you can use: precast concrete panels, concrete poured in place, and concrete blocks. With these, you have more flexibility with your choice.
- Durability
Durability is another major factor that makes concrete an excellent choice. If you opt for a precast concrete retaining wall such as those from www.jpconcrete.co.uk/precast-concrete-retaining-walls/, you can be assured of the highest quality since precast concrete panels will always have a uniform shape and go through stringent testing for strength and durability.
- Inherent strength
There’s no doubt that concrete is renowned for its strength, which is a crucial characteristic of an effective retaining wall. Once you have installed it, the concrete wall continues its curing process, making it even stronger.
- Enhanced resistance
Another reason concrete is the ultimate choice for retaining walls is its enhanced resistance. It’s resistant to fire and water and is also resistant to rot. As a result, it will not warp or rust, and it’s seen as the perfect material for rough or extreme environments. Along with this, precast concrete offers excellent resistance to freezing and thawing cycles and road salts.
- A flexible option
Not only does concrete come in three different kinds – but it also comes with more options in terms of shapes. For example, you can have it built and installed as a curved wall or a wall with angles, and you can easily incorporate a staircase into its design.
- Easy maintenance
Concrete retaining walls come with the most effortless maintenance compared to other retaining wall materials, with only simple annual cleaning required. Of course, you should also inspect it occasionally to see any cracks and other wear and tear, but if it does have any cracks, you can easily have it patched up and repaired.
- An appealing choice
Concrete is known for its grey hue, which is a standard. But you can now choose to have it in different finishes and colours. You can even have your concrete retaining wall made to look similar to other materials, like natural stone. In addition, there are now unique stains that allow you to colour your concrete retaining wall according to your property’s theme.
- Budget-friendly
Compared to other wall materials like brick, stone, or wood, concrete is budget-friendly and provides you with an excellent cost versus benefit ratio.
- Eco-friendly
Aside from being budget-friendly, concrete is also eco-friendly since it isn’t toxic and isn’t comprised of dangerous toxins or chemicals. Constructing it involves using natural materials such as limestone, clay, slag, or fly ash, all locally sourced and recycled.
Image attributed to JPConcrete.co.uk
https://www.jpconcrete.co.uk/agri-l-retaining-wall/