Types of Wall
Retaining walls are those designed to 'hold back' a bank of earth, usually a terrace or steep slope of ground. However, low retaining walls can also be constructed to provide raised planting beds. Boundary walls mark out the limits of your property, provide security and privacy but also form a solid background to trees and shrubs and support for climbing and rambling plants.
Many gardens also have dividing walls, forming a break between areas of lawn and a patio or vegetable garden, for example. Dividing walls are a great way of providing visual interest in featureless gardens and are a good way to create 'rooms' in the garden. They need not be high: a dividing wall of say 750mm (2ft bin) in height is easy to build and is a good structure on which to practice your building techniques.
Walls can be constructed from brick, stone or concrete blocks, or even concrete poured on site - although this is normally used to make strong retaining walls within gardens. Different walling materials are used in different ways, and the thickness of them will depend on their height. The thickness of a wall will also determine the number and spacing of piers and buttresses that are built to support the wall. You can avoid building piers and buttresses if you stagger a wall in a zigzagging manner, while curving or 'serpentine' walls - also called 'cringle-crangle' - will support themselves, although they will take up much more space.
Safety Tips
- If you hire a concrete mixer, read the safety advice supplied with it. Never put your hands inside the drum while the machine is switched on, don't lean over it to look inside and wear safety goggles to prevent any loose specks from irritating your eyes.
- It can be a good idea to wear protective gloves when working with concrete, as it can irritate the skin.
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