Concrete walls, particularly retaining walls, are often used in residential and commercial construction projects. They’re durable, versatile and offer a multi-purpose solution to most projects, either during or as long-standing features within a construction site.
As a result, these sturdy structures can be applied across various projects, even including adding a visual appeal to outdoor spaces. JP Concrete, a well-known concrete company for these types of retaining walls in the UK, offers the perfect solution.
So, let's get into it. Here are 3 prominent uses for concrete retaining walls that may help with your next construction project.
1) Acting as barrier
Concrete retaining walls are mostly used to act as a barrier to control erosion or stabilise slopes and uneven ground during construction.
If the ground is uneven or a hill, soil erosion can be a problem. This could lead to loss of vegetation, loss of some of the land as it falls or, depending on the location, can even cause damage to properties and commercial buildings or roads.
In this instance, a concrete retaining wall can act as a barrier to prevent erosion or soil shifting down, particularly during heavy rainfall or floods. They act to hold back the soil by being durable and strong during weather changes or changes to the landscape. This protects the land and the construction site from any damage during the process.
What’s more, in some locations such as parks or near water, they can act as a barrier for safety as well as provide an element of additional appeal. This can be done by decorating them with flowers, creating terraced gardens, or creating seating areas for locals to sit and enjoy the scenery. Not only can they offer protection, but they can also add a different functionality and use of space in certain places.
2) Adding to privacy levels
Another use for concrete retaining walls is to help define boundaries between properties and add to privacy. This could be for residential or commercial businesses. The walls can add a perimeter between two properties and provide a level of security.
They can be built to different heights so you can add to privacy levels, particularly in residential areas and gardens or for highly secure facilities. They don’t have to be just a concrete slab either, as they can be decorated with features and flowers to enhance the property's appeal.
3) Structural support and saving money
In the same way that concrete retaining walls can prevent erosion, they can also provide structural support during a construction project. This can include things like offering a stable foundation on sloped terrain for buildings, car parks or roads and preventing flooding. It also creates level playing fields for contractors and construction workers to build on so that any building or project can be supported structurally.
They can withstand heavier loads, making them perfect for any construction site. In addition, they can decrease the need for any maintenance related to mud, collapsed hills, damaged features or even sinkholes. What’s more, they can be built off-site and integrated into a project, which also saves on cost and can be paramount in a construction project on a budget.
To conclude, concrete retaining walls can serve a number of purposes, mainly for the safety and prevention of erosion, but also to add a level of control, privacy and protection of land and buildings. They’re durable, flexible, and strong, and they play a crucial role in construction projects.
