A retaining wall is generally created around a residential plot to confine the area. However, the main purpose of building such a wall is to level the ground and maintain the natural slope of that place. This is done to make the ground apt for gardening or construction purposes by stabilizing a sloped surface and holding the ground.
In simple terms, a retaining wall is a protective structure that not only guards the ground which might otherwise erode over time. It makes your land more aesthetic, and can also contribute towards making construction easier and more convenient.
Traditionally, such walls were made up of stones and bricks, however now, concrete walls are the latest trend. Such walls use materials which include Earthen Clay, Fly Ash, Mortar, Lime Stone and Slag.
Advantages of Concrete Retaining Walls
1. Choice
Unlike traditional walls, there are three options that can be used in the construction of concrete walls. The three types of concrete that exist include concrete blocks, concrete panels and poured in place concrete.
Owners have the option to choose a material which is specific to their situation. Obviously, the types vary on the basis of factors like durability, strength, flexibility, ease of installation, cost, assortment of colors, designs available, and resistance.
It is advisable to choose the type which will, depending on the land, keep and hold the water and the soil beneath it intact and also protect the property.
2. Strength
Obviously, concrete walls are much stronger as compared to traditional walls. They can withstand the atrocities of weather, the tantrums of the soil, and the subtleties of air and water to a very large extent.
3. Durability and Resistance
Concrete walls are more resilient over time, as compared to other walls. They stand all highs and lows of the soil, weather and natural disasters. The concrete walls are fire-proof, rust-proof as well as rot-proof.
Certain types of concrete, especially precast, can also stand unaffected by road salts and freeze-thaw cycles in harsh winter seasons. In simple words, it means that be it fire, rust, decay, excessive rain or harsh cold, concrete walls can withstand them all.
4. Ease of Installation and Flexibility
It is much easier to construct and install concrete walls. as well as less labor-intensive.
Architects and designers can more efficiently and effectively carve out designs and curvatures in a concrete wall by cutting various angles with little or no difficulty.
5. Looks
Do not confuse concrete walls with a grey colored solid looking material. Nowadays, concrete walls come in a variety of colors, designs, and materials. You can actually choose your own variety of design and color combination and get a custom made wall depending on your landscape in accordance with your property.
6. Low Maintenance
As rational human beings, we always look in to maximizing our benefits with minimal investment. We want to get return out of every penny spent by us. Concrete walls are a perfect option. Along with being economical and low on installation expenses, they require little or no maintenance which is actually a cherry on the cake. Mainly, they are inspected for cracks and cleaned on regular intervals, often once a year. The cracks are easily mended with the help of mortar and the wall can last for years.
7. Made to Measure
The wall panels that are made can actually be customized on the basis of the specific measurements that you have given to the manufacturer. The measurements can vary from as small as 1 feet wide to as high and as wide as 12 feet, depending on the land, the property to be constructed and on the design that has been selected for the wall.
8. Eco Friendliness
With pollution, global warming, acid-rains, deforestation, and other environmental problems are on the rise, it is advised to do every bit that one can to protect the earth. Concrete walls are eco-friendly because the constituent materials are majorly natural including clay, fly ash, limestone, and slag. Not only are they easily degradable but can also be renewed and used easily.
9. Affordability
As discussed before, cost benefit ratio in concrete walls is huge because of low installation and low maintenance expenses. Therefore, these are easily affordable by normal middle class people.
10. Environmental Advantages
In addition to being eco-friendly, concrete retaining walls also serve the environment in many ways. They prevent floods and soil erosion by holding the ground, as in soil and water below them intact.
Conclusion
All in all, the above points definitely justify the fact that installing concrete retaining walls not only benefit us economically but also helps the environment too.
