What kind of wood should I use for a retaining wall?
The best kind of lumber for these walls is Douglas fir pressure treated with preservatives to discourage rot. It will be green or brown in color and rated for earth-to-wood contact. For timber walls, large timbers for can be very expensive, which is why railroad ties are a common alternative.
How do you build a retaining wall with wood on a slope?
How to Build a Wood Retaining Wall
- Step 1: Remove Soil and Dig a Trench.
- Step 2: Prepare the Timbers.
- Step 3: Drive Rebar Stakes.
- Step 4: Drill Holes for Spikes.
- Step 5: Lay the Drainpipe.
- Step 6: Put the Deadmen and Tiebacks in Place.
- Step 7: Lay the Remaining Courses.
- Step 8: Fill With Topsoil.
Is a wood retaining wall cheaper?
In fact, there are hundreds of design ideas available, all in varying materials, heights, and styles. The cheapest types of retaining walls are wood and concrete blocks, followed by concrete and stones or bricks. Each material has benefits and drawbacks, including strength, longevity, and attractiveness.
Do wood retaining walls last?
How long do retaining walls last? Timber can last up to 40 years; there’s no limit on the life span of a properly installed masonry or concrete wall.
What is the least expensive retaining wall to build?
What is the cheapest retaining wall material?
- Treated pine and is the least expensive material.
- Hardwood is more expensive than treated pine.
- Railway sleepers are another – slightly more expensive – option and are built to withstand ground and water contact.
- Concrete sleepers are more expensive.
What’s the cheapest retaining wall to build?
What is the cheapest retaining wall material?
- Sandstone can be ground and reconstituted to look like natural sandstone to make it easier to work with.
- Natural stone can be relatively inexpensive or very expensive.
- Interlocking concrete blocks can resemble natural stone but have a more regular appearance.
What material goes behind a retaining wall?
Backfill refers to the dirt behind the wall. In order to provide proper drainage, at least 12 inches of granular backfill (gravel or a similar aggregate) should be installed directly behind the wall. Compacted native soil can be used to backfill the rest of the space behind the wall.
