Poured Walls
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Poured Walls

Reasons Why Poured Walls are a Better Choice than Wood

A flatter world may be a little bit easier to live in, but it would also be significantly less interesting. Hills, mountains and ridges are what give the land around you an interesting mix of variety and textures. However, when these hills and ridges are on your property, it can cause a lot of problems with drainage and erosion, making it necessary to build a retaining wall. If you need a retaining wall built on your land, here are a few reasons why you should choose poured walls instead of wood for the construction of your retaining wall.

Strength and Durability

Retaining walls were traditionally made from wood, but using concrete poured walls are quickly replacing tradition. One of the reasons concrete is being used much more often in the construction of retaining walls is because of the extended life span concrete provides. Wood simply doesn’t last as long as concrete. After about ten years the timbers begin to deteriorate, especially with excess exposure to rain. With concrete, you can rest assured the retaining wall will withstand the worst of what the elements throws at it. Concrete poured walls are impervious to rain and moisture and they are typically built with steel bar reinforcements, which gives them ultimate durability and strength.

Modern and Attractive

A lumber retaining wall may look attractive when it is first built, but the same elements that cause them to lose their strength and durability, also causes the wood to rot and become dull and dingy. Wood retaining walls that have become dull, gray and dingy in color can significantly reduce the resale value of your home. Concrete poured walls are designed to last for generations and they will give your property a modern, attractive look. Using concrete means there will be no rotting timbers standing out like an eyesore, not to mention the insects and pests that rotting wood can attract. Concrete is pest resistant and there are techniques available that will allow you to customize the retaining wall to match the design features of your home.

Environmentally Friendly

One of the most common concerns about a timber retaining wall is that they often contain substances that can have serious effect on your health. Wood retaining walls are often built from wood that contains creosote, which is a poisonous preservative that may leech from the timbers and contaminate the ground water, resulting in sickness and possible fatalities. Unlike wood, concrete poured walls are made with environmental friendly materials. Concrete retaining walls do not contain any hazardous poisons or compounds that can cause harm to your family.
The best advantage that poured walls have over timber retaining walls is the cost. Concrete is significantly less expensive to use in the construction of a retaining wall and it is less expensive to maintain. A wood retaining wall will need to be seal at least once a year, while concrete simply needs to be cleaned occasionally and sealed about every three years. A poured concrete wall is overall safer than a wood retaining wall, because concrete can withstand a lot more pressure than timber, there is less risk of a collapse during a heavy storm. When you figure in all of the benefits concrete offers, such as longevity, attractiveness, strength and safety, poured concrete is the safer, smarter choice for a retaining wall.
Do you need a new retaining wall built? Contact Kelly Concrete Co to learn more information about how poured walls can be beneficial for you and your property.
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