- I’ve wondered about geofoam too, but haven’t pulled the trigger—seems pricey for a backyard wall.
- For clay, I’ve had better luck with double-layered filter fabric around the drain pipe to keep silt out.
- Anyone tried terracing instead of one big wall? Sometimes breaking it up makes drainage and settling way easier.
- Curious if anyone’s had luck with those newer composite timbers—do they hold up better than railroad ties in wet soil?
Anyone tried terracing instead of one big wall? Sometimes breaking it up makes drainage and settling way easier.
Terracing made a huge difference for me—less pressure on each wall, and I could work in more native plants between levels. Honestly, I’d never go back to a single big wall. Composite timbers though... I’m skeptical. They look nice at first but I’ve seen some bow after a couple wet seasons. Natural stone or concrete blocks seem to last longer, even if they’re not as “green” as I’d like.
Composite timbers though... I’m skeptical. They look nice at first but I’ve seen some bow after a couple wet seasons.
Couldn’t agree more about composite timbers—had a neighbor’s wall start to warp after just two years. When you went with stone, did you do any kind of drainage layer behind each terrace? I’ve seen some folks skip that step and regret it later.
Stone’s definitely the way to go if you want something that lasts, but skipping a drainage layer is just asking for trouble. I’ve seen too many gorgeous retaining walls buckle or get those ugly white stains because water had nowhere to go. It’s not the most glamorous part of the job, but honestly, it’s what keeps everything looking sharp years down the line. Even the best materials can’t save you if the basics aren’t done right.
