Retaining walls are an age old solution to supporting large masses of soil, keeping your Southampton, NY, landscape functional and safe. They are also a visually dominant feature in any landscape, which is why designing them with great attention to detail is a vital part of any landscape design.
Aesthetics and materials
Depending on the mass of the soil they are supporting, retaining walls can vary in size and structural complexity. Choosing the right material that fulfils both the strength requirements while also being aesthetically pleasing is an important step in the design process. For more traditional landscapes, a rustic style stacked stone wall is a great choice, provided it can support the mass of the soil behind it. In such cases, you can also use ivy to integrate the wall into the softscape.
For more modern landscapes, you can appropriate wall stones or concrete units that suit your landscape design, or even utilize natural stone veneer for the surface to give your retaining wall a sleek modern look. Using concrete wall units is a great way of ensuring your retaining wall matches the masonry of your yard. Paying attention to the design of your wall ensure that it feels like a natural part of your landscape design.
More than just support
While the obvious function of a retaining wall is to hold back the soil, its functionality can actually be extended much further. It can double as a seating wall through the addition of smooth coping and backing stone. Coupled with cushions, such a structure can greatly increase the seating capacity of your landscape. Similarly, the wall can also be used as an excellent base for planters. The sturdy surface can also be used to support lighting fixtures.
Terracing
Retaining walls radically increase the usable area in an undulating landscape. Hills can be a major hindrance when it comes to planting gardens or installing features. With retaining walls, you can convert a hill into a series of flat terraces, giving you lots of prominently raised flat land to plant flower or vegetable gardens. You can also install patios and walkways on the raised terraces that give you a commanding view of your property. Lastly, the height also gives you the potential to integrate waterfalls into the design of your landscape.
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Controlling soil erosion and improving drainage
By removing steep slopes, retaining walls also play a vital role in reducing the surface soil erosion from water traveling down slopes at a fast rate. Slowing down the water allows more of it to be assimilated into the ground, completing the water cycle and raising the water table under your property. Moreover, restricting the entry of muddy water into the storm drainage system also ensures it works efficiently during the rainy season. Retaining walls can easily be coupled with underground pipes and trenches to make water drain more effectively in the soil behind the wall and radically reduce the risk of landslides common in sloping areas.
Retaining walls are an effective and aesthetically pleasing way to improve your landscape design. They keep your property functional and safe while being highly durable and low maintenance, adding value to your property for years to come.
Image courtesy of Unilock.