bers to keep soil erosion at bay. Read on to discover the different types of landscape timbers and their construction methods. You’ll also find out how much they cost and what signs to look for when the soil is eroding. But before you begin, be sure to follow these basic steps:
Alternatives to landscape timbers
Landscaping timbers are great materials for a wall, but they can also be costly. If you are on a tight budget, consider using plastic landscaping timbers instead. These materials don’t rot, leak chemicals, or fade like natural timbers, but they lack the strength and beauty. In many cases, landscape timbers will need to be replaced after they start to rot. Listed below are some alternatives to landscape timbers that you can use for building a wall.
Another popular use for landscape timbers is for building raised garden beds. Raised beds can be a lovely feature in your garden, drawing attention to your favorite plants. Aside from their aesthetic value, they also have practical uses. You can use them for steps and benches, as well as for seating and other outdoor projects. If you’re new to landscaping, consider creating a garden-specific raised bed.
Landscaping timbers are also great for building a small outdoor pad. If you don’t need a wall that’s large enough to hold a pool, you can stack several small timbers and use them as a raised garden bed. Large timbers are stable enough to stay in place, and you can add metal rods to prevent them from falling. You can also build a wooden swimming pool, which will provide a relaxing and calming atmosphere for your garden.
While redwood and cedar are the best materials for building a wall, they’re also extremely expensive. But if you’re on a budget, it might be better to opt for a cheaper alternative. Pecky Cedar and Alaskan yellow cedar are cheaper options that offer the same aesthetics. While wood landscaping timbers are not as durable as treated materials, they’re still worth considering for any landscape project.
While landscaping timbers are a great choice for many landscaping projects, you should always consider a retaining wall made of railroad ties if you want to retain a substantial amount of soil. These wall types are also excellent for terraces and retaining walls, as they provide a clear, natural border between mulched and lawn areas. They can also help to keep plants away from walkways, since they tend to be relatively heavy.
Signs of soil erosion
You may be able to spot signs of soil erosion in your yard by observing the landscape. In areas with poor drainage, a bald landscape is a sure sign of soil erosion. It can make walking paths difficult. The soil on which your trees and shrubs will grow may have been damaged due to windstorms, rain, sleet, and human interference. Fortunately, soil erosion is fairly easy to fix.
Soil erosion is caused by excess water running off of a slope and exposing layers below. Topsoil is critical to landscaping as it provides plants with nutrients and allows roots to grow. Though extreme types of soil erosion can occur in mudslides, most cases of soil erosion are subtle. Look for signs such as exposed roots and soil on driveways. A landscape professional can take the necessary steps to prevent soil erosion.
Construction methods
There are many construction methods for a wall made of landscape timbers, and there is no one method that is best for all circumstances. Depending on the height you desire, you may have to choose from two basic types of walls. One is the use of upright stanchions anchored in a concrete footing. A second type of wall uses large timbers, usually 6×6 or more. These timbers are fastened together with steel rods inserted through holes drilled in the grade. Alternatively, you can use landscape fabric to prevent the soil from seeping through the gaps between the timbers.
Generally, landscape timbers are cheaper to buy than masonry. One eight-foot-long timber is enough for four square feet of wall, making this type of wall easier to build than other types of walls. Timber walls are also quicker to construct than masonry walls, as they can be piled on top of each other. They can also be fastened with 3/8-inch thick concrete rods. If you want a taller wall, you can also contact a landscape designer to design the structure.
Before building the wall, prepare the area by laying down a layer of geotextile fabric on the ground. Place the sheet on top of two-inch crushed stone to form a foundation. The fabric will then cover the stone layer and leave a porous layer at the base of the wall that will disperse water during heavy rains or snow melt. When the foundation is ready, use a Prowler bucket to backfill the hole with soil. Over time, the soil will settle and the wall will become a sturdy structure.
Bedding material for the first layer of blocks is usually coarse sand or 1/4-inch gravel. Then, use a small level to check the blocks’ levels. The first layer must be level. Using a 3-foot length of 2×4 as a level, check the side-to-side level of the blocks across the last three blocks. You will be able to see if the blocks are level at the top and bottom.
Cost
Brick and concrete are two of the most common materials for freestanding walls. However, they aren’t as durable as stone and wood. Bricks typically cost $40 to $70 per square foot. Bricks are typically hand-made and fired for quality assurance. Natural stone walls are one of the most cost-effective materials for freestanding walls, and they also look great. You can also opt for exterior grade pressure-treated wood or railroad ties, which are both less expensive options.
Another way to use landscape timbers is to build stairs. Wooden staircases are popular DIY projects for garden paths. Wooden pea gravel stairs can be used to create a garden path. You’ll need pressure-treated wood posts, pea gravel, landscape fabric, and a piece of rebar. You’ll need a bit of DIY skills and a good understanding of timber cutting and excavation to complete this project.
Purchasing large lumber for a timber wall is more expensive than lumber that is less expensive. You’ll need a minimum of six x six timbers, but these are a great way to save money on the cost of lumber. Railroad ties are a great way to save money while still getting a high-quality timber wall. However, railroad ties are heavier than new lumber and are treated with potentially toxic wood preservatives. Also, they produce a chemical odor when heated in the summer sun.
A wall made from landscape timbers is an intermediate-to-advanced project. Split-rail fencing is the easiest to install, but a traditional six-foot privacy fence requires soil testing, cutting the wood to size, and backfilling the post holes. The cost of landscape timber fencing is generally between $1,000 and $2,000, depending on the size of your wall and the length of lumber you need.
Plastic lumber, also known as landscape timbers, are an environmentally friendly, durable, and cost-effective alternative to wood. BestPLUS 6″x6″ recycled plastic lumber is made of 98% recycled plastic and can last for decades. You can even use it to build a raised garden bed, add curb appeal, and enhance your yard’s value. And, plastic landscape timbers are also easy to shape and install.
