What is the best wood to use for retaining wall?
Because a retaining wall is going to be in contact with the ground, make sure you use lumber that’s rated for ground contact. Your best choice is a pressure-treated wood that has a rating of . 40 or higher. Avoid railroad ties—they’re heavy and soaked with creosote, which is messy and can harm plants.
How thick should a timber retaining wall be?
To build your wall, dig holes and insert vertical supports using thicker sleepers, at least 75mm thick. Space the supports every 1.2m for 2.4m long sleepers, and 1.5m for 3m long sleepers. The horizontal sleepers can be 50mm thick.
Can I use wood for a retaining wall?
A timber retaining wall is great for reshaping a sloped yard and adding a real identity and presence to your garden area. Some materials can be used to create curves, but a retaining wall made of timber will be straight.
How long will a wood retaining wall last?
A timber retaining wall can last a little over a decade, if treated properly. If not maintained, the lifespan of a timber wall is around 3 to 5 years. To keep its fresh look, timber requires serious maintenance. The material will hold up for so many years only if its pressure-treated with chemicals.
How deep should posts be for a retaining wall?
Retaining wall posts should be at least as deep as the amount of soil they will be holding. A good rule of thumb is to halve the height of the wall and then add 4 inches. This is how deep you should place your posts.
Does a timber retaining wall need drainage?
Yes, most of the retaining walls should have weep holes, especially in case of retaining earth walls. The main aim to provide the weep holes to drain the water that has penetrated due to rain/ other reasons.
Does a retaining wall need drainage?
Every retaining wall should include drainage stone behind the wall. If there are poor draining soils such as clay behind the wall, there needs to be drainage incorporated the wall system. Clay when wet is very weak, so it is essential to provide a way for water to escape from behind the wall.
How many deadmans are needed for a retaining wall?
Install one dead man every 6 to 8 feet around the entire wall. Continue building up the retaining wall, using landscaping screws to secure each timber. Cover the ground in front of the retaining wall with 2 to 4 inches of bark mulch.
How much does a wood retaining wall cost?
Timber retaining wall cost will also vary depending on the type of wood you use. Average prices for materials and labour are: $250 to $350 per square metre for treated timber (pine) $300 to $450 per square metre for treated timber sleepers (hardwood)
What is the least expensive way to build a retaining wall?
The cheapest type of retaining wall is poured concrete. Prices start at $4.30 per square foot for poured concrete, $5.65 for interlocking concrete block, $6.15 for pressure-treated pine, and about $11 for stone.