JulianConstruction.com: What Type of Retaining Wall Do You Need?

Julian Construction, Inc., (http://www.julianconstruction.com), a foundation repair and construction company in Los Angeles, lists 4 of the most commonly used retaining walls and explains when they are used and why.

The following are five of the most common types of retaining walls used for residential landscaping:

• Gravity Retaining Walls
• Cantilever Retaining Walls
• Sheet Pile Retaining Walls
• Anchored Retaining Walls

Gravity retaining walls rely on sheer gravity to hold back soil and gravel. They are wider at the base than at the top, and do not require complicated engineering. They can be strong, but over time bow outwards if done incorrectly. Due to the necessarily wide base they require a lot of material and don’t work well for walls taller than 4 feet.

Cantilever retaining walls are also wider at the bottom than the top, but they are attached to a steel or concrete base that extends back under the soil they are holding back, thus taking further advantage of gravity and the weight of the soil trying to push them over. They are much stronger than gravity retaining walls.

Sheet pile retaining walls are made with “sheets” of material such as wood, concrete, or steel, that are driven partially into the ground (usually 2/3 underground and 1/3 above).

Anchored retaining walls can be any of the above, but they have additional support in the form of steel cables attached to the retaining wall that are anchored in the soil or rock they are holding back.

Julian De La Torre, founder and owner of Julian Construction, stated: “No two retaining wall projects are the same, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. There are many different types of retaining walls and building materials that can be used- not to mention location and soil makeup. Whether you are looking for an engineered retaining wall or a wall not needing special engineering, Julian Construction can help. We can assist in making the right decision for your home and save you money in the process, handling the project from plan to finished construction.”

Julian Construction owns its own company and is built on a “no middlemen” model – no salesmen, no subcontractors. When you work with Julian Construction you get the principals of the company and workers of Julian Construction under your home. The result is the highest quality work at affordable prices. They can be contacted by phone at 323 733-3377, by fax at 323 733-4477 or via their website, http://www.julianconstruction.com. You can see tips and advice about home foundations on their blog, at http://julianconstruction.com/blog/ and http://earthquakeboltbrace.com/