While some walls do feature weep holes at the bottom, this will shorten the life of the wall due to rot prone conditions caused by perpetual moisture entering the wood and spreading from these points. Severe Weather 3-in x 4-in x 8-ft Unfinished Pressure Treated Landscape Timber. The gravel extends the length of the wall and may also contain perforated tubing to create a French drain that shunts water to one or both ends of the wall so it won't accumulate. There is also gravel packing behind the wall, particularly at the bottom where water accumulates during rainy conditions. In most cases a layer of waterproof sheeting is applied to the back side of the timber retaining wall to separate it from direct contact with fill. The disadvantages are a chemical odor when superheated by summer sun. Railroad ties are heavily treated with potentially toxic wood preservatives and creosote. These recycled ties are more affordable than new lumber with increased weight and stability. For timber walls, large timbers for can be very expensive, which is why railroad ties are a common alternative. It will be green or brown in color and rated for earth-to-wood contact. The best kind of lumber for these walls is Douglas fir pressure treated with preservatives to discourage rot. The accumulation of moisture speeds the decomposition of wood, so drainage structures are very important as is the overall grades both at the top and toe of the wall. To maximize your timber wall longevity, the contractor must pay close attention to water, where it gathers and pools both on top and behind the wall. This vulnerability shortens the lifespan of wood walls compared to block or concrete walls. Because there is moisture in the earth which increases lateral earth pressure, the combination of weight and rot is what typically causes failure. The primary weakness is the wood itself, which is subject to rot due to extensive wood to earth contact. Your contractor will select the best construction method for your landscape application.Ī timber wall, if well built with proper materials, waterproofing and preservatives can last for about 20 years or more. Sometimes called landscape timber, landscape lumber is a product used to fashion raised beds and retaining walls, edging, and steps. Extensions behind the wall known as deadmen extend back into the slope and provide additional reinforcement against bowing. Examples of the wide variety of products that we can produce are landscape timbers, standard and better lumber for truss manufacturing, and heat treated. The other method is composed exclusively of very large timbers, usually 6 x 6, stacked and reinforced by steel rods inserted through holes drilled through to grade. This is often used for raised beds in the kitchen garden. One utilizes upright stanchions anchored in a concrete footing, with horizontal wall planks, usually 2 x 6. There are two basic construction methods, each one suited to different conditions. Building Timber Retaining WallsĪ timber retaining wall is usually less than four feet tall. For this reason, the preferred material for food garden applications is the foundation grade redwood or cedar, which is a more expensive, but healthier choice. In fact, many organic gardeners are concerned about all wood preservatives including those of new pressure treated lumber leaching into the soil. This has reduced their frequency in raised bed food gardens. The more common sizes range from 6圆 to 8x8 in either rough sawn for a more rustic look with timbers that may vary in size a bit or in surfaced timbers that are planed down making them a half inch smaller but gives a cleaner more uniform look.There is a concern for the chemicals in railroad ties leaching into the surrounding soil. Our Landscape Timbers are solid and are treated right lasting for decades whether treated for residential use in ACQ or MCA or CCA if for commercial use. These large timbers are nothing like the peeler core byproducts you may find elsewhere that will rot away after just a few years. Typical dimensions range from 3x8 to 8x8 and for stability and longevity, any of our treatment options are available CCA, CA-C, MCA, Pentachlorophenol or Creosote.įor over 35 years, American Timber and Steel has been supplying large, strong, top quality Landscape Timbers for landscape professionals everywhere to use for retaining walls, flower beds, raised gardens, parking bumpers, stairways, and to line driveways. The versatility of Southern Yellow Pine makes it ideal for many applications of Timber Lagging in highway, industrial and commercial applications being the strongest domestic softwood although the reliable Douglas Fir timber or the old standby Mixed Oak timbers are also available.Īmerican Timber and Steel can provide any timber specification in all grades from a low #3 to the highest grade of DS 65 or Select Structural and finishes as rough sawn or surfaced on all four sides.
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