Ideas to make a concrete retaining wall less ugly?
Jacey Eve
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
How to plant or pretty up a concrete retaining wall?
Or...there is some ivy kind of vine that is growing on a wall that is perpendicular to this one (it is in a position that's more shaded throughout the day). But if there is a vine that would give nice coverage across this larger expanse of south-facing wall??
There is so much of this retaining wall on our property, it makes up the front fence too. Would love some ideas on what to do with it. That aren't pricey!! (dreaming, right?)
Located on Central Coast NSW. Soil is kinda clay-y.
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PROConcept Products
8 years agoHow about clad it with a timber look-a-like panel like Millboard. No maintenance as it has no timber.
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Concept Products
8 years ago Related Discussions
Retaining Wall Dilemma
Comments (21)I quite like the idea of concrete sleepers for your retaining wall. They keep the modern mood. Not sold on Ridgi's faux timber look, though. If your drainage profile would allow it, continuing the brick of the pillars would look quite good, too. For me, the biggest landscape issue is the almighty fight happening between the two different sides of the driveway. You have the stick-up-the-rear formality of the camellia hedge fighting the looseness of the grass and shrubs on the other side. You need to decide on a single mood and go with that. Really!! I'd go, actually, with a loose boulder or gabion wall with a planting behind it similar to that on the left (narrower) side of the driveway. Have a think about what you actually use that front lawn for, and if it's only there to keep the dirt from showing, add some trees and shrubs and underplanting. Shout yourself a tame forest! This will take up a lot of water if your climate's a bit wet, and stabilise the slope, too....See MoreCladding non-mortared/drystack retaining wall?
Comments (27)Hi all, Sorry for the slow replies and thanks for the input so far. From what I've read online a re-inforced besser block wall should be about $600 p/sqm including footings in Sydney (Hornsby shire council area). Given the wall is 1m x 10m it should be let's say $7k including design and DA or am I way off? I'd also need to dispose of the current wall + footings but I could probably give the blocks away. The paved area is about 40sqm. Would it be safe to assume $200 p/sqm for concrete base, paver supply (travertine) and install (coping and surrounds)? So the wall and and paving would cost let's say $16k + fencing + cladding. This isn't too bad considering how much better it would look and the value it would add to the house. I like the flexibility the besser would give - render, cladding etc are all options. I'm not sure how bad it is structurally it just has a couple of spots where I can see the blocks have pulled apart over time. Below are some pictures of the bad spots. Also looking at the Amber website it says the maximum courses is maximum non reinforced wall height of 972mm (6 courses). It looks like my wall is actually 7 courses un-reinforced. The wall and pool was built back in 2003. I definitely think planting in front of the wall would help, as would removing the lights but I'm in two minds about whether to bite the bullet and do it properly or just hide it....See MoreRetaining wall plant ideas
Comments (13)Thanks all for your ideas and suggestions. We do plan on waterproofing :) I’m in Perth and the area gets probably about 6-7 hours of full morning sun and then part sun in the afternoon. The Murraya peniculata looks nice, does it have a nice smell? Could I put a smaller plant or hedge in front of it? And how often does it need to be watered? Another idea was to put star jasmine on a trellis and a smaller box hedge in front. Or those plants that look like a hedge ball (if that makes sense haha). Thanks again :)...See MorePool retaining wall
Comments (8)Don’t pick your wall colour until you pick your paint colour for the pebblecrete. They need to work together. And both need to be harmonious with your existing grey tiles and Beige Royal. Maybe worth paying for a colour consultant. Then in the background some trailing plants like Cousin it or Acacia Fettuccine would be great....See More- PRO
Kerrie Langloy7
8 years ago
kooky_karen
8 years agoJacey Eve
8 years agomischiefdebs
8 years agoHi Jacey. How about making a feature wall out of it? Choose succulents (or similar plants that are hardy) and paint the wall in a contrasting colour such as magenta or charcoal. Done correctly, it could be a real showstopper.
Jacey Eve thanked mischiefdebs- PRO
Cheltenham cement rendering/Solid plastering
8 years ago Jacey Eve
8 years agobigreader
8 years ago
bigreader
8 years ago
7weed1
8 years agoUser
8 years ago
dohraime