Retaining and Sitting Walls

Retaining walls are structures designed to restrain soil or other materials to prevent erosion or the collapse of an elevated surface. To create level surfaces, landscaping, construction, and civil engineering projects use retaining walls. Particularly, retaining walls hold back soil on a hillside or sloped terrain. A retaining wall prevents landslides and protect buildings and other structures from damage caused by soil erosion.

How To Tell If You Need A Retaining Wall

Commonly, a retaining wall stops soil erosion, landslides, and flooding. If you are experiencing any of these issues, you might need a retaining wall. Additionally, if you are planning to build a driveway, shed, or patio, or if you want to convert your graded hill into a plateau, consider a retaining wall. Check the slope of your land to determine whether you need a retaining wall. In particular, if the slope exceeds 35 degrees, you need a retaining wall to keep land in place.

Types of Retaining Walls

Retaining walls are constructed using various materials; including concrete, bricks, stones, wood, or reinforced soil. There are also several different types of retaining walls. Made of concrete, stone, or masonry units and economical for a height of up to 3 meters, a gravity retaining wall relys on their weight to resist the lateral pressure of soil.

Alternativity, a stem, and a base slab create a cantilever retaining wall. They are constructed from reinforced concrete, precast concrete, or prestressed concrete and are economical up to 10 meters. A cantilever retaining wall is the most common type of retaining wall.

Similar to the cantilever retaining wall are counterfort retaining walls. However, they have thin vertical concrete webs at regular intervals on the backside of the wall. These webs, called counterforts, help reduce bending moment and relieve stress in the wall.

Another retaining wall, an anchored retaining wall, anchors to the ground with cables or rods. The anchors drive into the soil or rock behind the wall and attach to the wall. Limited space for a retaining wall requires this type of wall. Next, Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) retaining walls have alternating layers of soil and reinforcement. The reinforcement is steel strips or geotextiles. Slopes up to 70 degrees need MSE walls. Sheet pile walls use steel, vinyl, or wood planks driven into the ground. Soft soils and tight spaces require sheet pile retaining walls. Lastly, gabion retaining walls use wire baskets filled with rocks or other materials. For erosion control and to stabilize steep slopes, use gabion walls.

Installing A Retaining Wall

Proper construction is crucial for the effectiveness and longevity of a retaining wall. Adequate drainage measures, such as drainage pipes or gravel backfill, are incorporated. If you want to build a retaining wall, hire a professional to help with the design and installation. A professional, like Cypress Glen Outdoors, ensures the wall is built correctly and withstands the pressures it faces over time. Contact Cypress Glen Outdoors today, helping you make the right decision for your property!

Sitting Walls

Are sitting walls practical, or just decoration in your backyard? When you host a backyard party, are you often short on seating for your guests? Are your friends forced to stand around, plates of food in hand, because you don’t have enough chairs?

Sitting walls are gaining popularity in patio design. This is because they are eye-catching and serve a great purpose—extra seating in your backyard!

Beauty and Functionality

When you look at your patio, do you feel the appeal might fall flat? Adding more seating with a sitting wall might be what you need. Bringing a fusion of purposeful design and visual allure, transforms your landscape into a place for relaxation and connection.

We can build walls to bring an elegant curve around the edge of your patio or as extra seating around your fire pit. All our well-designed sitting walls can help define space by separating patios from other areas.

The Artistry of Sitting Walls

At Cypress Glen Outdoors, we approach sitting walls as works of art. Most are between 18 and 24 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide. However, we can custom-build to your needs, creating any dimension.

Imagine a sitting wall adorned with carefully selected natural stone or textured brick, creating a visually captivating mosaic. We thoughtfully choose each element to enhance the overall aesthetic.

Retaining Walls with a View

Perhaps your backyard requires a retaining wall for erosion control. Why not maximize its potential by creating it to serve as functional seating? Sitting walls can ingeniously double as retaining walls, creating elevated vantage points to enjoy views of your garden or yard. It’s a practical solution with a touch of luxury.

Practical, Yet Beautiful

Compared to other patio furniture, sitting walls are durable and require minimal maintenance. Once we build your wall, you can enjoy it for years without spending too much time or money on upkeep.

We construct them using durable materials such as stone or concrete. So they won’t break apart, rust, or get damaged by the elements like other patio furniture can. You can add a touch of softness by adding seating cushions or changing the style when we design yours.

Tailored to Your Taste

We can tailor sitting walls to your unique taste or needs. Picture a straight, contemporary wall providing clean lines and modern charm. Alternatively, envision a curved or terraced sitting wall, adding a touch of whimsy, and creating intimate nooks for private conversations. The choice is yours, and our team is here to turn your vision into reality.

Visual Harmony

A well-designed sitting wall is more than just a standalone feature. It seamlessly integrates with your landscaping, creating a harmonious flow.

Imagine lush greenery cascading over the edge of your sitting wall, softening the landscape with a touch of nature’s elegance. Flower beds or decorative plants strategically placed along the sitting wall add bursts of color, transforming it into a living sculpture.

Crafting Your Perfect Place for Guests

Elevate your outdoor experience with sitting walls that prioritize style and comfort. Cypress Glen Outdoors is here to bring your vision to life, creating spaces that are not only functional but also visually striking. Transform your outdoor space into a haven of relaxation and beauty. Contact us today, and let the customization begin!