Retaining Walls / Garden Walls
The most common and cost-effective material used today are PRECAST CONCRETE WALLS which is made to match the precast concrete pavers both in color and texture. Many functions can be accomplished using this wall material. Steps can be made to integrate into the wall using the same materials giving the assembly consistency in appearance. Furthermore, the same wall material can be used to build pillars, garden walls, planters, outdoor kitchen units, and fire pits. (See photos)
What are the advantages of using precast concrete walls?
- cost (less than a masonry wall and more durable than wood)
- manufactured to matches with the pavers both in color and texture
- has the same sub base methods used for pavers
- versatile in building many other different assemblies
- does not crack
- is salt resistant if used for steps
- has a long-term manufacture warranty
- installation is mostly easy and systematic
Other wall systems are poured concrete, masonry wall, and wood. Using natural fieldstones in a dry lay method (no concrete or mortar) comes to about the same cost as the precast concrete wall option. This last option should only be used for small garden walls unless using larger square cut boulders (Armour Stone see photo) used for larger retaining wall projects.
The main precast concrete suppliers in Ottawa are: permacon.ca and techo-bloc.com
