| Which type of retaining wall is the easiest and | | | | should be backfilled with gravel and a perforated |
| cheapest to build | | | | drainpipe and separated from the earth with filter |
| Most homeowners build fieldstone or timber walls | | | | fabric. This method also can be used for a timber wall |
| because they are the most popular materials in my | | | | in a wet area, a wet-stacked stonewall, or a |
| area, but modular block and poured concrete or | | | | poured-concrete wall. Weep holes are another option |
| concrete block walls also are excellent options. Each | | | | for poured-concrete walls and wet stonewalls. |
| type of wall requires a different set of tools and | | | | For some projects, excavating for the base and |
| building skills. Railway or wood landscape ties are a | | | | backfill is the most laborious part of the job. If this is |
| good, inexpensive material for someone comfortable | | | | the case, it might be worthwhile to hire an excavator |
| building with wood. A poured-concrete wall is likely | | | | or to rent a backhoe for a day. |
| the strongest choice, but the installation is probably | | | | Using railway ties or timbers to build a retaining wall |
| best left to professionals. | | | | Using wood to build a retaining wall means it won't |
| Choosing the most appropriate material is the first | | | | last as long as blocks or concrete but it is much |
| decision you need to make when starting a | | | | easier, and in most cases the least expensive option. |
| retaining-wall project. Before you begin building a wall, | | | | If you are comfortable with basic carpentry, you |
| you also need to consider the elevations of the new | | | | shouldn't have problem building a wood or landscape |
| finished grades, the appropriate base and how to | | | | tie retaining wall. In dry area, a wood wall can be built |
| backfill properly. Building two or more small walls also | | | | without base or tricky backfill. Steps can be made by |
| may be easier on your back because you don't have | | | | joining two 6x6 timbers and are incorporated easily |
| to lift the stone, block, or timbers too high, or set up | | | | into these walls. It is simple to make 90° and |
| staging. If you decide to build a terraced retaining | | | | 45° corners, curves are a little more tricky. |
| wall, start with the lowest wall: You'll create flat areas | | | | Timbers range from used railroad ties to |
| to stand on while working on the upper walls, and | | | | manufactured landscape ties. If you can find them, |
| you can incorporate steps, which have to be built | | | | used railroad ties are fairly inexpensive, but they are |
| from the bottom up. | | | | often treated with creosote. They also are normally |
| Even the most attractive retaining wall can lose its | | | | inconsistent in dimension and often not very straight. |
| charm if the wall is too massive for its surroundings. | | | | This combination can make for tricky building. The |
| If there is enough area to divide the change in grade | | | | most commonly used material is pressure treated |
| into multiple stepped walls, a series of small walls | | | | 6x6 landscape timbers. You use a rough-sawn, |
| might be more visually appealing. Terraced walls also | | | | dimensional 6x6 for a rustic look, or a planed 6x6 |
| may avoid the need for permits, engineers, and | | | | (actually 51/2 in.) for a more-finished look. Far shorter |
| complicated construction details. The area between | | | | walls a 4x6 timber also can be used. The length of |
| terraced retaining walls does not have to be level and | | | | the ties also varies a 12 ft. or 16-ft beam can cover |
| can be used for lawn or gardens. | | | | a lot ground but is difficult to handle as is quite |
| About base and backfilling: | | | | heavy. An 8-ft. tie is more manage-for one person. |
| One truth about all retaining walls is that they are | | | | The obvious drawback to using wood is that they |
| only as good as the base they are built on. The right | | | | eventually rot. Pressure treated timbers will last |
| depth and type of base depends on the material and | | | | longer than untreated by years, but be aware that |
| the landscape. | | | | the manufacture warranty on new pressure treated |
| Dry-laid stone usually are backfilled with large stones, | | | | board may not be honored if the tie is cut. This is |
| and the voids are filled with rubble. If the wall is | | | | because you open up the grain on the end so that |
| separated from the earth with filter fabric, drainage | | | | water can get in. Just remember to use a sealer on |
| behind the wall often is unnecessary. Block walls | | | | the ends when you do make a cut. |