5 Reasons to Choose a Gabion Retaining Wall

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Retaining walls can be one of the most important parts of any outside space, and there are plenty of materials from which to choose. One of the best options to consider is a gabion retaining wall. These are essentially metal cages that are filled with pieces of concrete, rocks and other construction materials, and they offer a wide range of benefits.

Here are just five reasons to consider a gabion retaining wall.

1. Ease and Speed of Construction

Gabion walls are easy to put together and can be assembled on-site. In fact, they can make ideal DIY projects since no special skills are required for smaller projects. Even if you do choose to have a contractor handle the job, the ease of construction means things should be completed sooner and at a much lower cost than you might expect.

2. Eco-Friendliness

People are more aware than ever of how different materials can affect the environment. If you want to stay eco-conscious, gabion retaining walls are great since they can be filled with recycled and recyclable materials. Additionally, the fact that such materials can be easily sourced from close by cuts down on the carbon emissions associated with transportation.

3. Flexibility

Flexibility might not sound ideal in a retaining wall, but it can be a real benefit in gabion walls. Since small amounts of movement can occur within the metal cage without compromising the structure as a whole, damage is less likely to develop. In contrast, movement can easily cause cracks and breaks in other retaining walls.

4. Drainage

One of the most serious problems that can develop with retaining walls is a significant build-up of water. The added pressure can easily lead to damage, which is why proper drainage is so important. Gabion retaining walls offer exceptional drainage since water can easily make its way through the numerous gaps that exist between whatever has been used to fill it. This means additional drainage pipes don't need to be installed, which also means such pipes cannot become clogged during periods of heavy rain.

5. Strength

All those benefits are great, but they wouldn't be worth much if gabion retaining walls weren't also strong and durable. Of course, they also pass with flying colours on these points. The metal cage that reinforces the whole structure is very strong under tension, so it combines with the materials inside for exceptional reliability. In fact, gabion retaining walls generally become even stronger over time as silt and small bits of vegetation collect inside.

For more information, contact a retaining wall contractor near you.


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