Marine Landscaping 101: 3 Popular Seawall Materials
Posted on: 10 March 2017
Owning a waterfront home comes with its own set of problems. Sure, the view is breathtakingly beautiful. However, you'll need to prevent the water from eroding your land – especially if your home sits along saltwater. Luckily, marine landscaping can help. With a well built sea wall, your home and property will stay safe from water erosion.
Sea walls can be built with a variety of materials. So which materials are the most popular? Here are three:
1. Rock
Perhaps the most common material used for sea walls is rock – more specifically, cobble. It's an affordable rock that provides good protection. Walls designed from cobble feature large circular rocks. They are typically held in place by mortar, which helps to prevent the rocks from slipping. Although sturdy, cobble walls are not recommended for areas that receive heavy winds and strong waves, as they may shift.
If you want to use a variety of rocks in your sea wall, you'll want to ask for "rip rap." Comprised of several natural rocks and boulders, rip rap is both sturdy and aesthetically pleasing. The natural shape, color, and texture of the rocks allow them to blend into the shoreline seamlessly.
2. Concrete
Another material option for sea walls is concrete. Often reinforced with steel, a concrete wall is very sturdy. Unlike cobble, it can easily withstand heavy winds and high seas. So if you live on a shoreline that has harsh winds or waves, concrete is a great choice. There are two main options when it comes to a concrete wall: straight and curved. A curved wall will direct the waves back out, while straight walls simply absorb the impact. Both work great, so the choice is up to you. While a concrete wall might not sound pretty, your contractor can help you choose an option that offers both beauty and protection.
3. Rocks and Plants
Finally, a combination of plant life and rocks can be used to form a sea wall. Although not as sturdy as the options above, they work wonderfully for smaller bodies of water such as small lakes or gentle coves. The main perk of these types of walls is that they are beautiful. The plant life helps the rocks blend into the surroundings much easier. It also gives local wildlife a place to relax and hide. Beautiful and functional, combination walls offer the best of both worlds.
As you can see, there are many marine landscaping options when it comes to choosing a sea wall. Whether you live on a quaint lake or windy ocean, these walls can help keep your home and surrounding property safe from the water. If you are interested in learning more, contact a local marine construction company.
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