Retaining walls are an essential part of any well thought out and designed landscape. Any type of raised flower bed or significant elevation change in your yard is a good location for one. They provide the benefit of a natural barrier while maintaining a well curated appearance. But building a Rochester brick retaining wall can be a big investment.
Before you get started, learn some of these key tips to make sure your Rochester brick retaining wall project is a success and you are happy in the end.
Incorporate the Wall into Your Lifestyle – Rochester brick retaining walls are sometimes thought of in terms of their utility only, for merely holding back the ground. But you can use them to create beautiful outdoor spaces. For example, adding a flat top to a retaining wall that adjoins a patio can create a row of seating. More room to relax is always good!
Be Creative. Rochester brick retaining walls don’t have to be designed in a rigid way. Add a curve to spice up a boring straight wall and voila! You added some visual interest to your landscape. Coming up with a stylish or unique approach to your retaining wall can add considerable character to your property.
Think Terracing. Depending on what your aim is, incorporating a couple layers of terrace can achieve the same as a large retaining wall — and depending on the area, it can look a lot better too. Think Asian gardens in terms of aesthetic.
Factor in Size. Smaller retaining walls, such as those less than four feet, can be easily planned and approached in an ad hoc manner. Larger walls (above that height of roughly four feet) may need an engineer’s opinion. Your contractor should know this, but be sure to double check local building codes before proceeding on a larger wall.
Manufactured Bricks Are Easier. Besides offering a consistent appearance, manufactured bricks or blocks for retaining walls offer structural integrity and an even base to solidify the structure. There is less guesswork when it comes to installation, plus you’ll have little to no work to do making sure each step of the wall is level. In comparison to natural stone, building a wall from prefabricated material is substantially easier.
No Two Walls Are Alike. When considering your design, texture, or structure know that what looks good in one place does not always replicate in another. That said, there are a lot of retaining wall samples and examples out there. So take a look through HGTV or Pinterest and get your creative juices flowing.
We hope the above list has been helpful for those of you considering a Rochester brick retaining wall project for your home. If you are looking for a paving contractor, PMS Diversified is based in Oakland County, but we serve the entire Detroit area. We would be happy to help you design your retaining wall and give you a functional and lovely landscape.