Are you considering adding a cap to a retaining wall to your outdoor space? Retaining walls is a great way to add structure, stability, and functionality to your landscape. But when it comes to choosing and using retaining wall caps, there are some important factors to consider beyond just matching the color of the rest of the row of blocks.
These caps not only enhance the overall look of your wall but also provide additional benefits in terms of durability and weather resistance, which is why it’s crucial to know how to make the correct, ideal choice on an important investment like this.
We at Rochester Concrete Products came up with a quick guide for today’s blog about the key factors to consider when choosing and using retaining wall caps, helping you make an informed decision for your landscaping project.
What are Retaining Walls?
Retaining walls are more than just a row of blocks stacked on top of each other, as they are a crucial element in landscaping due to their multiple benefits, with their primary goal being to prevent soil erosion and provide stability to uneven or sloping terrain by holding back the soil and preventing it from sliding or collapsing.
Their function as retainment is particularly important in areas with steep slopes or uneven ground.
Besides stopping soil erosion, they can be used to create usable space in landscapes with significant elevation changes. By constructing these walls, sloping areas can be leveled out, allowing for the creation of terraced sections that can be utilized for gardening, seating areas, or other purposes.
Or they can simply serve as boundaries and increase the aesthetic appeal of a landscape, defining different areas within a landscape. They can separate various levels or sections of a yard, creating distinct spaces for different activities or features. They can be built using various materials such as stone, brick, or concrete. They can be designed to complement the overall style and theme of the surrounding environment, adding structure and visual interest.
What Are Retaining Wall Caps?
A retaining wall cap is what it sounds like the top of the retaining wall to provide protection and a visual finish. They are made to be placed at the top and corners of a vertical wall. But that’s not all, as they provide some other important benefits worth noting.
1. Protection from Water Damage and Erosion
They not only add a decorative element but also help to protect the wall from water damage and erosion. Retaining wall caps can also help to prevent water from seeping into the structure, which can cause deterioration over time.
2. Provide a Level Surface for Functional Space
They also provide a smooth and level surface that can be used for seating or as a functional space. They can be designed to match the style and color of the retaining wall, creating a cohesive and polished look.
3. Extend Durability and Life of Your Wall
Caps can help to increase the longevity and durability of a wall. By providing an additional layer of protection, they can help to prevent cracking, chipping, and other forms of damage that can occur over time.
4. Enhance Safety
They can prevent accidents or injuries that may occur from uneven or unstable surfaces by providing a secure and stable top surface.
5. Customizable for Amplifying a Wall’s Design
Caps can be customized to fit the specific dimensions and design of a retaining wall. They can be cut and shaped to match a curved wall, any irregular corners, and other unique features, ensuring a seamless and professional appearance.
6. Increase Property Value
It’s always the small details that stand out among a sea of retaining walls. Caps can increase your property value by improving the overall aesthetics and functionality. A well-designed and properly constructed retaining wall with caps can enhance the curb appeal and desirability of a landscape, making it more attractive to potential buyers or users.
Retaining Wall Cap Materials
Choosing the right cap material is crucial in achieving both functionality and aesthetics.
Concrete wall caps are among the most used, popular, and recommended materials for all types of walls; however, there are some other materials that can be the best option in several circumstances, from natural stone to even wood.
The perfect retaining wall cap material can help create a sense of belonging and enhance your outdoor spaces.
Concrete Wall Caps
Concrete retaining wall caps offer a durable and versatile solution for enhancing the functionality and aesthetic appeal of retaining walls. Made from high-quality concrete blocks, these caps provide a sturdy and long-lasting finishing touch to your retaining wall project and are the most secure for use for actual retainment.
With their sleek design and clean lines, concrete caps can seamlessly integrate into any landscape, creating a sense of belonging and unity. Available in a variety of colors, sizes, and shapes, they can be easily fitted to corners and curves, ensuring a seamless and professional finish. They’re obviously perfect for concrete block walls and concrete pavers but are also versatile and can be mixed and matched with other common types of materials.
In terms of height, concrete caps can be customized to suit your specific needs. They have the added advantage of being more cost-effective compared to other materials, making them an excellent choice for budget-conscious homeowners.
Whether you are looking to enhance the structural integrity or elevate the visual appeal of a concrete block wall or one made from any other material that can support it, concrete caps are a reliable and affordable option.
Natural Stone Products
Natural stone wall caps provide a timeless and elegant solution for enhancing the functionality and aesthetic appeal of retaining walls.
These caps are made from natural stone materials such as limestone, granite, or sandstone, which add a natural touch to any landscape.
The use of natural stone retaining wall caps creates a sense of belonging by seamlessly blending the wall with the surrounding environment.
The size and space of the wall can be customized to fit any landscape design, ensuring a cohesive and harmonious look.
Whether it’s a small garden retaining wall or a large-scale landscape project, natural stone retaining wall caps offer durability, longevity, and a touch of sophistication that can transform any outdoor space.
Brick Wall Caps
Brick retaining wall caps offer a durable and aesthetically pleasing solution for enhancing the functionality and visual appeal of retaining walls. With their timeless charm and versatility, brick caps provide a sense of belonging to any landscape design.
These caps are made from clay that is kiln-fired, resulting in a strong and durable material that can withstand the test of time. The natural colors and textures of brick add warmth and character to the overall look of the retaining wall.
In addition to their aesthetic benefits, brick retaining wall caps also serve a practical purpose by providing a protective barrier that prevents erosion and water damage.
Whether used in traditional or contemporary designs, brick retaining wall caps are a reliable choice that adds both beauty and functionality to any outdoor space.
Wood Retaining Wall Caps
Wood offers a natural and rustic option for enhancing the functionality and aesthetic appeal of retaining walls. With their warm and inviting look, wood caps can create a sense of belonging and connection to nature.
Common wood wall caps are typically made from durable hardwoods, such as cedar or redwood, which are known for their strength and resistance to decay. The natural beauty of wood adds a touch of elegance to any landscape while also providing protection to the underlying structure.
Of course, the most common use of wood caps is in conjunction with wood garden walls or wood retaining walls. Nonetheless, wood retaining wall caps can be customized to fit different wall sizes and shapes, making them a versatile choice for both residential and commercial projects, no matter how many feet tall they are.
Whether you are looking to create a cozy backyard retreat or a welcoming entrance to a public space, wood retaining wall caps are a great option to consider.
Retaining Wall Cap Styles and Shapes
To the uninitiated in retaining wall lore, caps might be simple bricks that top a wall with not much design or range of sizes and shapes. But this is a mistake many property owners make and discover when it comes time to choose a wall cap. Several shapes, colors, and styles are more than just a matter of aesthetics.
Some are best for pillars or increasing living space, while others are best for protection from the elements or creating height and depth.
Here are some of the basics you need to know when picking a wall cap shape and style.
Chiseled
These are intended to look as if someone just took a masonry chisel and handcrafter limestone to make you a cap and top. They normally have two chiseled sides and are a popular choice for pillars and seat walls, which is why they’re sometimes called pillar caps (although you can also use square or completely smooth caps for this.)
Also good for fire rings and other custom outdoor features. Chiseled caps will always give you the historic or rustic look many want for their outdoor living areas.
Square, Straight, Smooth, or Contemporary Edge
Whether called square or straight edge, these beautiful wall caps are flat with squared-off edges and are used for the most contemporary-looking types of block walls. They can also be used as pillars, seating, and other living features. Smooth sides, chamfered top, beveled sides.
Split-Faced
These have at least two smooth or flat sides, and the front and back sides have a textured (chiseled, tumbled) look. They’re for any type of wall but are recommended mostly for natural stone walls or chiseled wall blocks.
DOT Approved
These are blocks that conform to or exceed the standards of several states’ Department of Transportation and are typically either split-faced or smooth top and sides, with a very classic-style look.
Universal
The typical trapezoid shape can be used on any wall shape, be it curved designs or straight walls. They’re two slanted sides and two parallel sides.
Bullnose Edge
Bullnose wall caps have a rounded edge or border and a flat top, which gives the wall a more conventional appearance. They tend to be radius wall caps, which have two curved edges and a bit of a slated edge or two. Most are used on walls with a curved design or to smooth 90-degree corners.
Peaked
In concrete as well as polyurethane, peaked wall tops are frequently seen. They have a centrally located peak that effectively diverts water away from the wall and can give an extra sense of height to any wall project or some aesthetic quality as well.
Triface
These have six sides but aren’t a hexagon. Rather, they have three exposed sides on the front, two flat on the left and right, and a regular flat side on the back. They are meant to create depth and can also be used as retaining wall blocks in some cases.
Important Considerations for Choosing Retaining Wall Caps
Now that you know the basic names for the styles, shapes, and materials, how do you choose? Here are some key points and questions to ask yourself when deciding on the right cap for your entire project.
Height of the retaining wall
An underrated consideration is the height of the retaining wall. That will come a long way to help you determine the type and size of the cap that is needed. Higher walls may require larger caps to provide adequate support and stability.
Cost
This might be an obvious one, but it is still worth considering because caps are sometimes forgotten as part of any remodeling or construction project budget. It is essential to choose a cap that fits within your budget while still meeting your requirements for quality and aesthetics.
Weather and soil
Take into account the climate conditions in your area. The cap should be able to withstand extreme temperatures, freeze-thaw cycles, and other weather conditions prevalent in your region.
Soil
The material should also be able to withstand the weight and pressure of the soil behind the retaining wall.
Style and aesthetics
The cap should complement the overall design and style of the retaining wall and its surroundings. It should enhance the visual appeal of the wall and the landscape. If there are other elements, such as stairs, columns, or pillars in the retaining wall, ensure that the cap is compatible and can be seamlessly integrated with these elements.
Overhang
The size and shape of the cap should be compatible with the dimensions and contours of the retaining wall and should result in a modest overhang. It should fit snugly and securely, providing a seamless finish. Don’t go for too much; otherwise, you risk structural instability and possible accidents, especially in cases of using caps for seating.
Functional and safe
The cap should be designed to ensure safety if it will function as part of a living space, meaning seating, step, or even as a shelf of sorts. It should have a smooth and level surface to prevent tripping hazards and should be able to withstand regular use and foot traffic.
Maintenance requirements
Consider the maintenance requirements of the cap material. Some materials may require regular sealing, cleaning, or repairs, while others may be low maintenance. Take a look at your budget (and time) on hand and decide which is best for you.
Installation
Consider the ease of installation and any additional equipment or expertise required. Some caps may require professional installation, while others can be easily installed as a DIY project.
Longevity
Consider the expected lifespan of the cap material. Some materials may have a longer lifespan and require less frequent replacement or repair, making them a more cost-effective choice in the long run.
Local regulations
Check with local building codes and regulations to ensure that the chosen cap complies with any specific requirements or restrictions in your area.
By considering these factors, you can choose the right cap for your retaining wall that meets your functional, aesthetic, and budgetary needs.
We hope this guide will help you with your cap and wall ideas and help you put a “cap” on the landscaping project of your dreams. Rochester Concrete Products has a wide variety of retaining wall caps and tops to complement your wall project, whether it’s a cap for a small foot of wall or a perfect finish for taller walls that protect your property from tons of soil.
