Steel Retaining Walls

Q: How thick should a steel retaining wall be?

The ideal thickness depends on how high the wall is, how strong the wall needs to be, and what kind of soil the wall’s resting on. One rule of thumb is that the base thickness of the wall should be 1/8 the height of the wall, but at least 30cm.

Q: How long will a steel retaining wall last?

The lifespan of your wall will depend on several factors – the quality of the materials used, the nature of the environment it’s in, and whether it receives regular maintenance. 50-60 years is about how long you should expect, but do keep checking it regularly for signs of wear and tear.

Steel retaining walls are vertical walls with the purpose of holding back soil at different levels. These are necessary when buildings, roads or other structures are built at a steep incline but can also be used to prevent large, sloping gardens from washing away. ArchiPro features only the best steel retaining walls in New Zealand from suppliers you can trust.

Corten Steel Modular Planter Box

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$120.00

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Straightcurve Garden Edging

SureWall™

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Featuring the best steel retaining walls in New Zealand

ArchiPro features only the best steel retaining walls in New Zealand from reputable suppliers and professionals. While they have many applications on large projects they can also be used in the garden in a variety of ways including creating small raised beds on a flat lawn, or at different levels alongside flights of stairs. Steel retaining walls are an important part of a wider range of high-quality retaining walls that you will find on ArchiPro.

Types of steel retaining walls

There are several styles of steel retaining walls that you can consider in New Zealand, the most popular of which include:

Cantilever retaining wall

These feature an inverted L-shaped design with a vertical drop from top to base. The base has a 90° angle to height, and a sloping front. These are made from concrete reinforced with steel.

Crib retaining wall

These consist of interconnected boxes (timber, concrete, or steel) that are filled with soil. These are the quickest to erect and they are suitable for the displacement of large soil volumes.

Sheet pile retaining wall

These are constructed from interlocking sections driven vertically into the soil or set in concrete to provide more support. They are generally made from steel, timber, or concrete piles.

Anchored earth retaining wall

This vertical steel wall is supported by diagonal ties or struts.

The advantages of high-quality steel retaining walls

High-quality steel retaining walls add value to your property and aesthetic appeal to the most visible areas of your garden. They not only make your life easier by ensuring that you don’t have to slip and slide your way across an expanse of mud but they also provide a valuable defence against soil erosion. High-quality steel is tough and durable, plus it can be used to achieve several different looks. You can paint it any colour you like, varnish it, or leave it to corrode for a rustic touch. Suppliers of these high-quality products also tend to offer equivalent products in other materials like timber retaining walls.

How to choose a steel retaining wall that’s right for you

The type of steel retaining wall you choose depends on the purpose of the wall in your garden. If the wall is going to be supporting a big overhanging bank, it will need to be very large and very strong; if it’s going to be supporting a raised bed for flowers or vegetables, strength will be less important, and appearance will be more important. Choosing to work with an experienced professional is also an important part of your decision as installation will be a key element to success.

How deep do steel retaining wall posts need to be?

Most commonly, you’ll hear that you should bury your posts at least 150mm. However, you can also bury it at a depth that covers at least 25% of the post for more security. There is even a ‘rule of thumb’ that says you should halve the height of the wall, and add ten centimetres to find the ideal depth.