Retaining Walls
Retaining walls are the one aspect of landscaping that truly serves a purpose.
Brick Retaining
Wall
A retaining wall is generally built in order to retain soil.
However, walls can serve aesthetic functions as well.
A knee wall along a stone patio can serve as a perfect sitting area. A stone or brick foundation wall is the perfect anchor for your professional landscape.
Flagstone Retaing Wall
Natural flagstone combines earthen tones, rich textures and varied contours to provide the character of natural stacked slate.
Flagstone Retaining
Wall
The multi-faceted face makes installation quick and easy. It provides a multi-dimensional look in less time.
We use only the finest quality materials available resulting in a paver with a smoother, harder surface providing enhanced durability and strength. Our commitment to outstanding service and exceptional on-time delivery truly separates Marietta Landscape from the rest.
Flagstone is perfect for:
- residential gardens
- terraces
- tree rings
- seating areas
- borders
- Walkways
- Driveways
- Patios
Railroad Tie Retaing Wall
These are useful for relatively small slopes of loose material that are underlain
Railroad Tie Retaining
Wall
by a rigid base of rock or firm, non-plastic subsoil.
The wall should be securely anchored to the rock base or firm subsoil.
A well-built wall using good quality timbers should easily last 20 years.
Timbers can be connected with spikes or screws and the designer needs a knowledge of structures to design a plan that will hold the wall up over time.
Railroad Ties are perfect for:
- residential gardens
- terraces
- tree rings
- seating areas
- borders
- Walkways
- Driveways
- Patios
Used railroad ties have a considerable range of age and quality and are difficult to cut because of ground in dirt. Also the creosote can come off on your shoes. So we tend to avoid used ties.
Retaining Wall Construction
The diagram to the right illustrates the correct installation procedures and materials needed for any retaining wall.
Retaining Wall Construction
Only the actual wall material differs. A level base and a perfectly level first row of wall stone are essential if the wall is to be built correctly.
In most cases drainage piping will be necessary to avoid long term water damage.
Marietta Landscape installs all forms of retaining walls.
Today there is a wide selection of wall materials to choose from depending on the application.
Fieldstone, bluestone, flagstone and Railroad tie walls are very functional, easy and affordable
Our goal:
...create natural landscapes
that are easy to maintain and
environmentally-friendly... providing
distinct long-term value...
...create natural landscapes
that are easy to maintain and
environmentally-friendly... providing
distinct long-term value...
Marietta Landscape has enjoyed a long and congenial 25 year history of creating gardens and inspiring outdoor spaces for homeowners through-out North Georgia and the Atlanta metro area.
Retaining Wall Glossary
Backfill:
The soil that is placed behind the drainage material and compacted. Avoid using soft, wet clays or spongy organic soils; these soils do not compact well and will continue to settle after construction.
Base Course:
The first course to be installed. It may be totally or partially buried.
Base Material:
A base pad of free draining granular material, compacted and level to receive the base course of AB units.
Marietta Landscape:
recommends a well-graded, compactible aggregate, ΒΌ"in diameter.
Buried Block:
The block below grade.
Compaction:
Good compaction will ensure minor settling after construction. Poor compaction will allow the wall and the materials behind the wall to settle, possible moving the wall out of alignment, bulging or possibly to fail. Proper compaction is very important to wall constuction.
Drainage Material:
Free draining granular material used in the block cores and just behind the wall to collect and disperse water. This can be the same material as used for base material.
Exposed Wall Face:
The portion of the retaining wall that is above grade.
Gravity Wall:
Walls that rely on their own weight and setback to hold up the soil behind them.
Green Walls:
Also known as plantable walls. Created by stepping back a course of the block enough to expose the hollow core of the course below, where soil and plants can be placed.
Mechanical Plate Compactor:
Mechanical equipment used for compacting soils (available at most rental centers).
Retained Soil:
The soil that is held back by the wall. Reinforced Walls - Walls that require the use of reinforcement grid to add strength and structure to the wall.
Setback:
The amount the wall leans back or into the hill.
Soil Reinforcement:
A geosynthetic material used for added soil reinforcement behind the wall structure.
Surcharge:
An added weight above the wall (driveway, pool, patio) that puts pressure on the wall below.
Tiered Walls:
Two or more walls set above or below each other, rather than building one very tall wall. The tiered walls can create more useable space, tame slopes, build raised gardens and give the yard a more aesthetic look.