What kind of wood should I use for a retaining wall?

What kind of wood should I use for a retaining wall?

The best kind of lumber for these walls is Douglas fir pressure treated with preservatives to discourage rot. It will be green or brown in color and rated for earth-to-wood contact. For timber walls, large timbers for can be very expensive, which is why railroad ties are a common alternative.

Are wood retaining walls cheaper?

Timber Wall Cheaper- timber walls are less expensive than block walls. Easy installation- timbers are easy to install for both landscapers and the DIY homeowner. Looks- timbers are simple, look great, and are the “old reliable” for landscapers and homeowners.

How deep should a wood retaining wall be?

Make the trench about 8 inches deep. The base of the retaining wall should be half the wall’s height. So, in our case, that’s 1 foot wide for a 2-foot high wall (Image 3). Tamp to a level base.

How tall can a wood retaining wall be?

Your walls can be as long as you want, but limit the height to 4 ft. Add more terraces as needed to retain higher slopes, stepping them back about 4 ft.

What is the cheapest way to build a retaining wall?

The cheapest type of retaining wall is poured concrete. Prices start at $4.30 per square foot for poured concrete, $5.65 for interlocking concrete block, $6.15 for pressure-treated pine, and about $11 for stone. Installation or supplies, such as drainage stone or filter fabric, are not included.

How long will a wooden retaining wall last?

A timber retaining wall can last a little over a decade, if treated properly. If not maintained, the lifespan of a timber wall is around 3 to 5 years. To keep its fresh look, timber requires serious maintenance. The material will hold up for so many years only if its pressure-treated with chemicals.

Will a wood retaining wall rot?

However, wood is subject to fungal rot, termites, and water damage. When following all of the best recommendations, a wood retaining wall can last up to 40 years. Without proper techniques, a wood retaining wall can fail in as soon as 5 years.

How deep should a 3 foot retaining wall be?

The general rule of thumb is to bury about one-eighth of the height of the wall. For example, if your wall will be three feet (36 inches) tall, the first course of blocks should start five inches below soil level.