Building a retaining wall with railroad ties is a more affordable alternative to traditional stone or block. This article covers the pros and cons, simple steps you should take, and issues you’ll need to consider.
Concrete garden walls look great and are very functional, this kind of attractive garden wall can be not only add an aesthetic appeal to your landscape design, but also improve its value.
How to build a retaining wall with railroad ties
A railroad tie retaining wall is a common and easy way to get the job done. These walls are made from large wooden timbers that can be cut down to size with a chainsaw, then stacked to create a sturdy barrier.
Railroad ties are typically made of pine or cedar, but they can also be made out of other woods such as oak or poplar. The timber must be treated with a preservative or paint before installation because it is susceptible to rot in moist environments, especially in contact with soil.
Railroad ties come in several different sizes, ranging from 2 inches wide by 8 inches thick to 3 inches wide by 10 inches thick. Each tie has three grooves along its length that help hold it together when stacked vertically for building a retaining wall. These grooves are normally set apart every 12 inches along the length of each board.
The most common type of railroad tie used for building retaining walls is treated wood (commonly known as CCA-treated wood) that has been soaked in chromated copper arsenate (CCA), a pesticide known to cause cancer in humans when ingested or inhaled over long periods of time. The treatment process causes the wood to turn greenish-brown when exposed to air; however, this
Railroad ties are a great choice for a retaining wall because they’re cheap and easy to work with, but they have one big drawback: They don’t last forever.
Railroad ties are treated with creosote, which is what protects the wood from rot and termites. When you cut railroad ties, you expose more of this creosote to the elements. This can cause it to deteriorate faster than untreated wood would in a similar application.
If you choose to use railroad ties as a retaining wall material, expect them to last around 15 years before they need replacement.
After the first year or two, check the ties regularly for signs of decay — especially if they’re exposed directly above ground level or within reach of children or pets. The best way to do this is by walking along the entire length of your retaining wall and poking at each tie with a screwdriver or similar tool until you find one that’s soft enough to poke through with just a little pressure.
Railroad ties are the most common material used in building garden walls, and they’re so popular that many people call them “stone walls” or “rock walls.” They’re a great choice for retaining walls because they are strong, durable and relatively cheap. Using railroad ties to build a retaining wall means you can build a stone wall without having to hammer and chisel rock into place.
Railroad ties are long slabs of wood from old railroad tracks. They were originally made from oak or pine, but today they are often made from treated wood or bamboo. You can find railroad ties at many home improvement stores and building supply stores. Some stores sell them by the foot; others sell them in bundles of 10 feet.
A typical 10-foot bundle weighs about 150 pounds — roughly half a ton — so one bundle will make one 8-foot-high retaining wall (plus some extra material). If you want your retaining wall taller than 8 feet, you’ll need multiple bundles of railroad ties.
Railroad ties make a great retaining wall. They are readily available, easy to use, and strong enough to handle the weight of dirt and stone behind them.
Railroad ties are also called “crossties” or “sleepers.” They’re the wooden pieces that support the rails on railroads and tramways. They can be purchased at most home improvement stores or railroad companies.
The best way to build a retaining wall with railroad ties is to first create a level base for them, then place them upright and attach them together using metal connectors. The final step is to fill in behind the wall with dirt or gravel until it’s completely buried.
If you’re looking for a DIY project that doesn’t require many tools or experience, building a retaining wall with railroad ties is an excellent choice!
This is a guide about building a retaining wall with railroad ties.
Railroad ties are an inexpensive, but sturdy option for building a retaining wall. A 2-foot tall railroad tie retaining wall will cost less than $100 to build.
Materials needed:
5 or 6 railroad ties per linear foot of wall (12″ x 12″ x 8′)
1 tube of construction adhesive or concrete screws (enough to secure each tie to the next)
Equipment needed:
Saw – circular saw or hand saw for cutting ties to length, angle grinder for cutting ends (optional)
the railway ties are cut and laid in place. The railroad ties are placed on an angle that is outward from the face of the wall to provide drainage. The railroad ties can be used as a base for landscaping, or they can be left exposed and made into a unique feature of your landscape design.
railroad tie retaining wall lifespan
The railroad tie retaining wall is an easy way to add a unique element to your landscape design. There are several ways to build a railroad tie retaining wall, but most people choose to use pressure-treated wood because it will last longer than untreated wood.
Railroad tie retaining walls are a great way to add a unique look and style to your landscaping. They can be used as a wall or fence, or as part of an outdoor room. Railroad ties are made from recycled wood and are often seen as old fashioned, but they have many benefits for your outdoor living space.
Railroad Tie Retaining Wall Max Height
The height of railroad tie retaining walls is limited only by the size of the concrete blocks you use to anchor them. This means that you can create retaining walls of any height with railroad ties, which will make them more stable than other types of retaining walls.
Railroad tie retaining walls are made from wood, which means they will last longer than other types of material. However, this does not mean that they can’t start to deteriorate over time. Make sure that you keep an eye on your railroad tie retaining wall so that you know when repairs need to be made or replacements are necessary.
Railroad Tie Retaining Wall Cost
The cost of railroad tie retaining walls depends on what type of material you want to use as well as how much labor is involved in building them. If you’re constructing a large garden then it may be worth hiring someone
Railroad tie retaining walls are a popular choice for homeowners, as they are relatively easy to construct and can be built in a variety of styles. Their most common use is to create raised beds in the garden, but they can also be used to make walkways or driveways. The main benefit of railroad tie retaining walls is that they are relatively inexpensive compared to other types of retaining walls, such as poured concrete or block walls.
Railroad tie retaining walls are built using wooden railroad ties that have been cut in half lengthwise. These pieces of lumber are stacked vertically with the bottom end buried into the ground and the top end resting on top of the ground surface. The ties can be stacked directly against each other or spaced apart by gravel or soil fill material such as stones and sand.
The height of railroad tie retaining walls varies depending on how tall you want your wall to be and how much weight it needs to support. If you’re building a small garden bed for flowers or vegetables and don’t need much strength from your wall, then a simple 6-inch high wall made up of three tiers of two railroad ties each will work well enough. But if you’re building a driveway or pathway that people will walk on regularly, then you’ll need something
Railroad tie retaining walls are a great way to build a retaining wall. They are cheap, easy to install, and last for decades. But how long can you expect your railroad tie retaining wall to last?
Railroad ties are made from hardwood trees such as oak and pine. The heartwood of the tree is dense and durable which makes it perfect for building a retaining wall.
The lifespan of a railroad tie retaining wall depends on how often it rains in your area as well as how much debris falls into the trench behind the wall. In areas that receive less than 15 inches of rainfall per year and don’t experience large amounts of flooding or debris buildup, you can expect your railroad tie retaining wall to last at least 20 years before requiring any repairs or maintenance.
In areas with higher rainfall amounts or flooding, it may only take 10 years before you need to replace some sections of your railroad tie retaining wall with new wood (or other materials).
Railroad ties are a great option for retaining walls. They are easy to install and they are very strong.
Railroad ties can be used to build a retaining wall that is anywhere from 6 feet tall to 20 feet tall. The height of the wall will depend on how many railroad ties you use and how far apart they are placed.
The average lifespan of a railroad tie retaining wall is between 25 and 50 years, depending on the climate in your area.