Choosing a Material for Retaining Walls for a Landscaping Project in Canmore
Retaining walls are structures that are used to prevent soil erosion. They work by keeping a majority of the soil or debris from slumping down a hill or slopes. Retaining walls are also incredibly important in construction because they help to make many different structures buildable. In order to build structures on sloped terrain, you need to have a way of preventing the soil from moving. The most common way of doing this is by building retaining walls. This allows you to build on land that would not be feasible otherwise.
They are often boulders, masonry, or concrete blocks. This type of wall is best used when the wall will only serve as an exterior boundary and won’t need to support the weight from above. These types of walls don’t require any additional foundations other than levelling and grading the ground on either side of the wall.
Walls can be made from many different building materials including natural boulders, precast concrete blocks, or poured concrete with an option for masonry stone on top. From choosing your building material to installing the finished product, there are a lot of different factors to consider. Your landscape or structure as a whole will need to be taken into consideration as you decide which retaining wall will work best for your space.
Types of Boulders Used for Retaining Walls in Canmore, Alberta and Where Do They Come From
Rundle
Rundle walls are very popular for landscaping in Canmore. They come from the local surrounding mountains and are black, grey and brown with white streaks through them. They are used on retaining walls all over the town because they look beautiful and they can be very strong if they are stacked correctly.
Kootenay Brownstone
Kootenay brownstone is one of the most popular types of retaining walls that you will find. It comes from British Columbia and is an orange-yellow-brown in colour. This type of stone can add a lot to landscaping or it can be used on its own as a retaining wall. It is a form of limestone with a much more diverse colour profile, matching a lot of the wood features on Canmore homes.
Limestone
Limestone is a type of rock that is common for construction work all over the world. It is sourced locally as well. It is very strong and can be broken into small pieces for ease of transport. It is a common choice for retaining walls
Types of Man-made Retaining Walls in Canmore, Alberta
Pre-Cast Concrete Walls
Pre-cast are formed blocked manufactured at factory and then shipped to site. These are popular Canadian manufacturers:
Techo-bloc
Techo-bloc is a company that makes retaining walls out of concrete. They have some options for different styles of blocks that you can get. The blocks typically have an angular shape to them, but they are more attractive than other types of retaining wall. They come in a variety of pastel colours to match your taste.
ExpoCrete
ExpoCrete is another company that makes precast concrete retaining walls. These come in many different sizes and shapes so you should be able to find something workable for your project. One of the downsides is that these blocks can be slightly more expensive than some of the other options.
Belgard
Belgard also makes precast concrete retaining walls, similar to ExpoCrete. These are typically used in residential construction, but you could use them in bigger projects as well. They are available in many different colours so you can find something that matches your building style.
Poured Concrete Retaining Walls
Poured concrete walls are another type of retaining wall. They can also be a great way to add interest and texture to your garden, patio or pool area. Poured concrete walls are functional and can be prepped to install masonry stone.
Masonry Retaining Walls
If you want your retaining walls to be more decorative, masonry stone is a great option. It can be custom-made to match your design, so you do not have to worry about the wall looking out of place in your yard. They come in many different designs and can be used for multiple applications such as landscaping, their primary purpose and adding dimension to your landscaping project. They are very strong and durable, so they should last for years without needing any type of repairs or maintenance work. With a concrete sub-structure these will last for years.
There are many different types of retaining walls in Canmore and you will want to choose carefully. There are natural options and pre-made options as well so you should be able to find something that goes with your home. The qualities of the retaining wall really depend on what you need and your personal preference, but all of the options here are going to make for strong and attractive features in your yard.
To request a free quote for retaining walls in Canmore call us at 403-609-1303 or fill out our online request form today! Our landscaper will give you a free estimate, including consultation about your project needs, design development and pricing information.