CONCRETE RETAINING WALLS

Considering A Concrete Retaining Wall? 

When you need a solid, safe and dependable retaining wall –  the builders of choice for the Long Island area is Lusitania Masonry. Retaining walls can sometimes need to be quite high.  Furthermore, the foundations often need to be fairly deep. So whatever your requirements, Lusitania has the knowledge and machinery to do the job. Because Lusitania is among the best retaining wall builders in New York state, we can handle any sized job. Whether on a domestic house block or in the middle of a busy industrial site they can be relied on to do a great job.

Do You Have Uneven Land?

When you have uneven land on your section and would like to create numerous level areas, or maybe you just want to retain to create a garden, a concrete block retaining wall is for you. Provided the total height of the wall is below building permit requirements, no permit needs to be sought. Lusitania can provide advice on this. As concrete is a material that withstands weather well, you won’t have to worry about the wall warping or slumping after it is constructed – typical downfalls of timber construction.

Do You Have An Undulating Landscape?

Concrete retaining walls are designed to retain land behind them, providing a new flat area in front of them. Are you looking to build a part of your property up in order to create a new flat area? An easy to install retaining wall will allow these changes to be made, and create sturdy support for that land for decades. Our experienced professionals at Lusitania will allow you to get the layout you are after, and advise on the most effective way of getting there.

Concrete Block Or Poured Concrete?

If you’re thinking of having a retaining wall installed, consider the advantages and disadvantages of concrete block versus poured concrete.

Having a retaining wall installed is a good way to improve the curb appeal of your home, control your yard’s landscapes, and to combat soil erosion. There are many considerations to take into account when deciding what type of retaining wall you want. Explore the benefits and drawbacks of both a concrete block and a poured concrete retaining wall.

Concrete block is one of the most common materials used for retaining walls. Blocks are placed on top of one another for height, and their interior cells are reinforced with rebar and filled with concrete for strength. Concrete block retaining walls can be as high as about four feet, and the retaining wall can have curves and right angles. They are a structurally sound option, but concrete block retaining walls must incorporate footings to ensure optimal strength. 

There are a number of different types of blocks to choose from, such as the basic “cinder block” and interlocking blocks. While standard concrete block is visually unappealing, options like split face blocks—concrete blocks with a face that resembles broken stone—or adding a veneer resembling stone, brick, or other decorative masonry can add interest and match a home’s style.

Poured concrete retaining walls utilize rebar and poured concrete to create a smooth, sleek wall, and there are numerous design options. While poured concrete retaining walls are stronger than concrete block retaining walls, there’s a lot that can go wrong with a poured concrete retaining wall. It takes a great amount of knowledge and skill to install a poured concrete retaining wall; the process is unforgiving of mistakes. Waves or bulges can form, as can cracks. Generally, there are few to no options for fixing problems like cracks with a poured concrete retaining wall, and the entire wall must be replaced if one part of it fails.