Guidelines for Installing Fences and Guardrails on Retaining Walls

Table Of Content

• Safety First Always ensure:
• Retaining Walls vs Fences
• Popular Materials for Wall Fences
• How Long Do Retaining Walls Last? Understanding Lifespan and Maintenance
• Wood vs Stone Retaining Wall: A Comprehensive Comparison for Your Landscape Needs
• Wood Fence Maintenance
• Retaining Wall Landscaping Cost
• Create a Contemporary Patio Featuring Classic White Fence on Concrete Retaining Wall

Hollow fences don’t have as much lateral force to consider because wind passes through them. Adding a retaining wall against your fence has functional and aesthetic benefits. Use these walls to make raised garden beds or planters for small bushes. Select wall blocks that work with your landscaping and house color scheme.

Safety First Always ensure:

If you build the fence a few feet behind the wall, you lose that amount of space. Retaining walls can carry a lot of weight which is made worse by water. If you build one, make sure to include proper drainage behind the wall.

Retaining Walls vs Fences

There are many ways to build a fence within or among your retaining wall. It is a good idea to consult an engineer to ensure your fence will be built with high integrity and longevity in each case. Another way to install a fence without compromising the integrity of your retaining wall is this post-in system.

Popular Materials for Wall Fences

Let's be honest, there's a certain satisfaction that comes with tackling a home improvement project yourself. It whispers sweet nothings of self-reliance and accomplishment. But hey, sometimes that DIY whisper turns into a full-blown shout demanding way more time,... Time to dust off the grill, crack open a cold drink, and soak up the sunshine. But wait, before you dive headfirst into full-on barbeque mode, have you spared a thought for your trusty fence? If you have a website ›› feel free to share snippets of the article.

Some are only a few feet high but others can be over 1o feet tall. A retaining wall is a strong, rigid structure that’s used to retain soil laterally. They’re designed to hold the soil back in ways it wouldn’t do on its own.

Wood vs Stone Retaining Wall: A Comprehensive Comparison for Your Landscape Needs

If there is soil pushing up against this fence, it can benefit the fence to protect its retaining wall. The retaining wall helps stop soil from adding pressure to your fence or spilling out into your yard. In this situation, you would build your fence as normal until you get to the wall.

Wood Fence Maintenance

Use manufacturer’s calculators to determine how many blocks, pins and tiebacks you’ll need. When stacking a row of blocks, sweep off each layer; small pebbles can disrupt the pattern. Cap walls with flat units or stone held down with silicone caulk. With forces like these in play, you should limit your retaining wall efforts to walls under 4 feet tall (3 feet for mortarless stone). The stepped height fence is named so because the fence looks like a set of stair steps.

It does not provide direct home repair or maintenance services. You can pick paint colors that complement your house's exterior or even create patterns and designs to make it stand out. By integrating a lattice, you not only improve your fence's privacy but also allow for natural light and airflow to pass through. As a homeowner, ensuring the fence is high enough to prevent your kids and pets from climbing or jumping over is crucial. For a contemporary and modern look, consider a textured wall fence. Metal fencing is another popular choice that offers durability and strength.

Pros and cons of using gabion walls in the landscape - Total Landscape Care

Pros and cons of using gabion walls in the landscape.

Posted: Tue, 26 Nov 2019 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Installing a fence on top of the retaining wall can help provide a safe area above the fence. That the ground level above a retaining wall and the ground level below the wall are at different elevations. If you are looking for a contractor in the San Francisco bay area to construct your retaining wall, be sure to contact Montclair Construction. If you have any questions or want an estimate don’t hesitate to contact us.

However, the installation process can be more labor-intensive and expensive compared to other fencing options. As you explore your wall fencing options, it's essential to consider the pros, cons, and gather some inspiration to find the perfect one for your landscape. Here are 15 beautiful fence ideas for those who are building on a slope.

You can play with the height of your fence, but the height should not exceed 6 feet 6 inches. This maximum height includes any guardrail or an openwork fence that is in your plans. These restrictions may change if you are enclosing a building, such as a school or a playground. If you are questioning the legality of your fence height, it is always best to consult your building committee in your area. Another mounting option is to attach your fence to the sides of your retaining wall. With this option, you will utilize side mounting plates and anchor bolts.

Adding a retaining wall against your fence has practical benefits and can create beautiful aesthetics to your landscape. You can use these walls to create raised beds for a garden or customize the blocks you are working with to create a unique landscape design. If your property has a steep slope, consider creating terraced levels using multiple retaining walls. This not only adds interest to your landscape but also provides more space for different types of plants. Some locations, especially businesses, require a guardrail or fence for retaining walls 30 feet in height and over.

Drill holes deep into the retaining wall and then clean them out. Use anchoring cement by Simpson inside the hole to bond the post to the concrete. Surface mounting, face mounting, embedding a fence, and using a post-in system are all options for securing a fence to your wall. Before you choose, consider the strength of your retaining wall, the material it’s made of, the design, and the height of your fence.

Different types of fencing materials may require specific types of stains or paints, so consult with a professional if you're unsure. Vinyl fences are a great low-maintenance option as they require minimal upkeep. They are also environmentally friendly, as they allow for natural drainage and can incorporate recycled materials.

And the wall portion makes a great foundation if you design and build it correctly. If you’re building the wall yourself, incorporate the fence as part of your design. If your using poured concrete, the fence can actually be built right into the concrete.