Sheet Pile Retaining Wall Construction for Boca Raton Residents
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Retaining walls are not only useful for retaining earth or diverting water. They are also well-known for their aesthetic appeal. Sheet pile retaining walls are a rare exception when you consider other options, such as stone walls or maybe concrete rubble ones, which are clearly known for their stunning looks. The sheet pile option can be built based on your aesthetic preferences or as a result of a specific case, but they are mostly meant to fulfill certain needs during construction and excavation projects. We have been installing sheet pile retaining walls for more than 18 years, and our Retaining Wall Pros of Boca Raton team understands that their use is not just about aesthetics but also about practicality and functionality.
Sheet pile walls can be used for the same purposes and needs as others:
- Retain large masses of soil.
- Draining, diverting, or retaining water.
- Assisting with filling materials to ensure they stay put.
The main difference lies in the amount of mass they can handle and what they can be made of, as the primary material used can vary based on what is possible to install and what the client needs and wants at the same time.
They are often not built in places where landscaping is important or necessary. This makes them questionable. They are much more useful whatsoever, and if you have soil masses that are giving you problems during your construction, they will be perfect for the task.
You will often see them in public areas, such as river banks and waterfront structures or other spaces where the clear goal is to retain all the soil or diver the water and protect the dry spaces and public ones.
A sheet pile retaining wall may be the best choice for you even when you are not working on a construction project or have a large-scale one in your hands. They are ideal for building wharves and quays, but you won’t regret making the decision to forgo concrete rubble walls, and stones appeal if you have the right experts dealing with the design.
What Are Sheet Piles for Retaining Walls?
You can find out more about how and where to use them when understanding the materials used to build and install each part of the wall. They are used in construction and excavation projects and as barriers to groundwater flow.
The wall’s function is the most important. The design or aspect of how it looks is second or third. It can be improved by the right contractors if they are skilled in using reinforcements to change the wall’s appearance from a simple one to something more appealing.
Sheet piles are made of steel sheets that have interlocking edges, and thanks to the design, it is possible to offer more support as specific joints and external elements need to be included to guarantee durability.
Sheet pile walls are not only made of steel whatsoever. They can also be made of timber or reinforced concrete.
The timber alternative is often the least popular one as it can retain soil, but water diverting is questionable as we all know how wood performs when this natural element is involved. Additionally, the timber retaining wall is more of an alternative for residential owners who even end up using the design as fences, not to retain soil in the end.
Meanwhile, the reinforced concrete sheet pile wall can be quite useful where you are planning to leave the wall installed and even make it look better with a specific design. Not everyone chooses to go for it when they’re planning to replace the wall or just don’t care about aesthetics, as the steel option is cheaper compared to this last one.
Why Are Steel Sheet Piles Retaining Walls Preferred?
These are the most cost-effective and affordable options of the three. Clients tend to select them to save money and still get great results. It’s about determining if the steel will be able to meet your needs and preferences or if you will need to scale in the type of wall you want to begin with.
These walls resist high driving stresses and are more durable than concrete and other options. They won’t crack like concrete and will often show signs of problems to allow you to repair or replace the individual sheet as necessary.
The sheets, just like other steel elements, are extremely light and make it easy to move the whole wall, even though the design and structure are large.
People are more concerned about whether steel sheet piles can withstand water. It is all about the steel used, which ensures that it has a long lifespan.
Finally, steel sheets allow for modifications and additions in the long- and short-term. The length can be increased by welding or bolting. You would normally need to go through a process to increase the length of your piles using concrete or other solid materials.
What About Reinforced Concrete Sheet Piles?
They are the second most popular option, but they are very close to steel for people in Florida because they don’t have to worry about the cost of the materials based on the durability offered.
These precast concrete sheets are similar to steel sheets. They usually have tongue and groove joints so that they can be piled together to make a wall. They are heavy and can be too bulky to be used for certain projects.
They can also hold large amounts of soil mass, which makes them ideal for large-scale projects.
They are resistant to all types of weather and can be used in the same way as steel sheet pile walls. They are often rejected by most people because they are more costly than the other options, but that depends on the contractor and the provider.
Retaining Wall Pros of Boca Raton will help you choose the right option for you. We also consider your budget so that you can access what you need and not worry about your bank account.
After a brief, no-obligatory visit, we will provide an estimate and collaborate with you to build a wall that meets your safety, protection, and aesthetic needs.