Retaining Wall Downers Grove IL

Simply put, the retaining wall is a kind of wall with interlacing blocks that holds back, or "retains" a higher level of ground. The blocks can be brick or wood, and may or may not require mortar to seal. A retaining wall, also known as a terraced wall, an anchor wall, or a landscape wall, is an attractive feature to your property, whether on a lawn or in a garden, creating a distinct border between the higher and lower surface.

The result is a groomed, professional look that flatters a wide variety of home designs, whether suburban or rural. The retaining wall was used as far back as the ancient Romans and even earlier; it is practical as well as attractive. Usually, they are not very tall. The retaining wall is difficult to build if it is more than a man's height. Often they are only a few feet tall, because of the strength required to hold back the upper level of earth.

Why would you want one? Your personal reasons may be quite practical or purely for the aesthetic appeal, and the retaining wall serves well in either case. The wall may help keep your driveway clear of debris or encroaching grass. It may border as a pathway through a garden, or help level a sloping backyard. It may tastefully hide an air conditioning compressor. Whatever your reasons, the retaining wall is a versatile option that is applicable to many property styles in Downers Grove.

It is helpful to be familiar with the terms involved in retaining walls in order to know what you want. This will assist you in purchasing materials and in knowing how the retaining wall works and is built. You may want to refer to these terms when buying your materials and when building your retaining wall.

Backfill is the material you use to fill in the area behind the blocks of the wall. This can be gravel or crushed rock, or specific kinds of aggregate that some companies in Downers Grove sell. It is important that you purchase the kind of backfill that most suits your wall design.

Batter is the term used to describe the angle of the wall. Usually, the retaining wall in Downers Grove will not be built at a 90-degree angle to the ground, but will have a shallow incline towards the upper surface. This is accomplished by adding each new layer of blocks not directly atop the lower level, but slightly offset to allow for a small lip on the lower level.

Blocks, incidentally, are the main part of the wall, the bricks that you use. They can be stone, concrete, or even wood, depending on the size and type of retaining wall you build. Thick, heavy concrete blocks are the best kind for large, long retaining walls, while smaller bricks and wood blocks work well for smaller walls, like tree rings.

A "running bond" is the most common and versatile way to layer the blocks. Rather than stack them up directly on top of each other, leaving clear seams between each stack, you may want to stagger each block so that the upper layers straddle the lower levels across the seams. In other words, one block will evenly straddle the seam between the lower two blocks. This gives the retaining wall extra strength.

The base is the layer of compacted gravel and sand on which the first layer of blocks is set. This is tamped down as much as possible to ensure the wall does not settle or sink drastically after it is finished. The gravel allows water to drain from the lower level, preventing rot damage.

There are a variety of designs, all serving unique purposes and having unique features. A tree ring, for instance, is to enclose trees or other plants on a raised surface above a lawn. A landscape wall, on the other hand, may border the edge of a designated lawn area in Downers Grove. The decision you make will depend on what kind of area you want to enclose, what your budget will allow, and, of course, what will suit your personal preferences. A wide variety of materials are available to you as well. Your retaining wall could be made of thick concrete bricks or of wide, flat stone plates, depending on the style you want to achieve.

The retaining wall may take a weekend or up to a week of solid labor, depending on the size of your wall. Most small retaining walls are not labor intensive; hence the "do it yourself" aspect of the project. Pick a design that fits within your available time, and you should have the project finished soon.