Difference Between a Retaining Wall and an Engineered Wall

Walls help stabilize outdoor spaces, yards, and various structural settings. They provide essential support, preventing soil erosion, creating level surfaces, and adding architectural interest. In discussions about these support structures, the terms "retaining wall" and "engineered wall" are often used interchangeably. However, despite their shared purpose, these walls fundamentally differ in design, construction, and application. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring the stability and longevity of your landscape or construction project.

At Simple Outdoor Living, we offer custom-designed retaining walls that provide support and serve multiple purposes, including seating. We tailor our solutions to meet our clients' needs. Here, our team discusses the key differences between retaining and engineered walls.

Retaining Walls Are Basic Support Structures

Retaining walls help hold back soil on a slope, preventing erosion and creating usable level areas. They are typically constructed using timber, concrete blocks, natural stone, or brick. Retaining walls are generally smaller and simpler in design than engineered walls. They rely on the weight of the wall and the friction between the wall and the surrounding soil to resist the lateral pressure exerted by the earth.

Retaining walls are often built straightforwardly, focusing on basic structural support.
They can be constructed from a wide range of materials, offering flexibility in aesthetics and cost.
These structures are usually limited in height due to their reliance on gravity and friction for stability.
While drainage is important, it's often more straightforward than the complex systems in engineered walls.
They are frequently used in residential landscaping, garden terraces, and small-scale slope stabilization.

Engineered Walls Are Advanced Structural Solutions

On the other hand, precise engineering calculations and specifications go into the design and construction of engineered walls. These walls are typically used for larger, more complex projects that require greater stability and load-bearing capacity. They can withstand significant lateral earth pressure and often incorporate reinforced concrete, steel, or high-strength materials.

Engineered walls involve detailed engineering analysis and design to ensure structural integrity.
They often utilize reinforced concrete, steel, or other high-strength materials for added stability.
The installations can handle greater heights and heavier loads compared to retaining walls.
These walls incorporate sophisticated drainage systems to manage water pressure and prevent structural damage.
They are commonly used in highway construction, bridge abutments, large-scale slope stabilization, and commercial projects.

How To Choose Between a Retaining Wall and Engineered Wall

Choosing between a retaining wall and an engineered wall hinges on thoroughly assessing your project's needs. Consider the scale of your project, the height and load requirements, and the site's soil conditions. A retaining wall for a simple residential landscape or a small garden terrace may suffice. However, an engineered wall is essential for large-scale construction, significant slopes, or heavy loads.

For more information on our retaining walls, please contact Simple Outdoor Living at 714-388-5878. We design and build customized structures on residential and commercial properties. You can also message us through this Online Form. One of our experts will get back to you shortly. We custom-design and build these structures to meet our clients' needs. We use the highest-quality materials for your project, ensuring a superb structure that serves its purpose and supports your landscape.