Retaining walls are essential elements in landscaping, serving both functional and aesthetic purposes. These structures not only prevent soil erosion and manage slopes but also add character and beauty to outdoor spaces. Whether you’re looking to create a terraced garden, level a sloping yard, or define outdoor areas, retaining walls offer versatile solutions that can transform your landscape.
Types of Retaining Walls
The choice of retaining wall depends on several factors, including cost, soil type, maximum height requirements, and aesthetic considerations. Assessing these variables will help determine the most suitable type of retaining wall for your specific project, ensuring a balance between practicality, affordability, and visual appeal.
The most commonly built retaining walls across South East QUeensland are Concrete Sleeper Retaining Walls, Besser Block Retaining Walls, Boulders and Sandstone Blocks Retaining Walls.
1. Concrete Sleeper Retaining Walls
Concrete sleeper retaining walls utilise reinforced concrete sleepers held in place with universal steel columns to create a robust and long-lasting structure for retaining soil and managing slopes. These walls are favoured for their durability, resistance to decay, and low maintenance requirements, making them suitable for a wide range of landscaping applications. Concrete sleeper retaining walls offer versatility in design and customisation, with options available to complement any outdoor aesthetic. They provide excellent stability and are often chosen for their ability to withstand harsh environmental conditions, making them a reliable choice for both residential and commercial projects.
2. Besser Block Retaining Walls
Reinforced Besser block retaining walls are constructed using Besser blocks, large rectangular concrete blocks designed for strength and durability. These blocks are reinforced with steel bars or mesh to enhance stability and structural integrity, making them ideal for retaining soil and creating level surfaces in landscaping projects. Reinforced Besser block retaining walls offer a cost-effective solution for managing slopes and preventing erosion, with the added benefit of being customizable to suit various design preferences. They are commonly used in both residential and commercial applications due to their reliability, ease of installation, and long-term performance. Besser block retaining walls are particularly suitable in areas with shallow bedrocks and circumstances where the retaining wall forms part of the dwelling, providing versatile solutions for a range of landscaping and construction needs.
3. Boulder and Sandstone Blocks Retaining Walls.
Sandstone and boulder retaining walls are popular for their natural beauty and durability, using large sandstone blocks or naturally occurring boulders to blend seamlessly with outdoor environments. These walls provide excellent stability and erosion control, making them ideal for managing slopes and retaining soil. Their versatile design allows for various configurations, adding visual interest to gardens and parks. With minimal maintenance required, they offer a cost-effective and long-lasting solution for landscaping projects, providing both aesthetic appeal and practical benefits.
Operational Works.
In most councils across South East Queensland, a change in ground level by more than 1 meter typically triggers the requirement for an operational works application to the respective council. This may result in additional costs and time in building projects. However, property owners can explore alternative solutions to mitigate these challenges.
One such option is to consider a stepped retaining wall solution. This involves constructing two sections of retaining walls with a minimum separation of 1.5 meters between them. Each section of the retaining wall should not exceed 1 meter in height. By implementing this design, property owners can avoid triggering the operational works application requirement while still achieving their landscaping or structural goals.
Please contact our office at KE Certifiers to discuss the site-specific requirements for your retaining wall needs.
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