Retaining walls are a practical and useful addition to any yard or garden, helping to add structure to a space and creating raised beds that can serve a variety of functions. However, given the environmental stresses that retaining walls are often subject to, it is crucial to choose the right materials for your retaining walls to ensure that they don’t end up breaking down. In this post, we take a closer look at two popular material choices for outdoor retaining walls, steel and wood, to help you determine which is a better option for your needs.
Steel Retaining Walls
In general, steel is a great material for outdoor retaining walls because of its durability and low maintenance requirements. It is highly versatile and can often be cut to any length to meet the needs of your garden or yard. In addition, you can also opt for galvanised steel retaining wall posts for your outdoor retaining walls as the galvanisation process will ensure that your retaining wall steel does not rust or corrode as a result of exposure to the elements.
Wood Retaining Walls
At the same time, wood retaining walls also have various benefits, such as their cost-effectiveness and wide availability, making them an accessible choice for homeowners. Wood can also add a natural appeal and a rustic charm to any garden or yard and can be the ideal material if you are looking to create a traditional garden landscape design.
Important Considerations for Your Retaining Wall Materials
When choosing between wood and steel for your retaining wall, here are some important things for you to consider:
- Lifespan: Compared to steel, wood generally has a shorter lifespan as it is more susceptible to pests and rotting from prolonged exposure to the elements. Thus, even though it might be more cost-effective at the time of installation, wood retaining walls may result in higher long-term costs.
- Environmental Impact: Steel is highly reusable and recyclable and this reduces its impact on the environment over time as compared to wood, which is generally less sustainable due to the way that it is most commonly produced.
- Maintenance Requirements: Depending on the type of steel, the maintenance requirements may vary. Nonetheless, steel that is designed for outdoor use such as Corten steel or galvanised steel will have lower maintenance needs compared to wood, which will need to be treated regularly to protect it from environmental or insect damage.
Choosing a Steel Supplier
If you end up opting to use steel in your retaining wall construction, it is important for you to choose a steel supplier that is reliable to ensure that you are able to get the most out of your retaining wall. RW Steel is the number one supplier of retaining wall steel in Melbourne and we have been serving the steel needs of the local community for decades. Contact us today for a free quote or to find out more about the wide-ranging products and services that we offer!