Construction & Contractors Blog
Since there are various seawall designs, making the right choice for your particular shorelines can be a daunting task. From steel-based seawalls to eco-friendly ripraps, you have unlimited options. However, you must understand that every design has its pros and cons. You must pay attention to many different factors, including aesthetics, costing, prevailing conditions, etc.
When you need to install an ideal seawall but have no idea where to begin, keep in mind the following checklist to make a sound decision.
What Is the Water Body Type?
To find the ideal seawall design, please determine the waterbody type it is bordering. It would be best to keep in mind other vital aspects such as water current, salinity, and depth when deciding. For instance, small and still water bodies demand less attention when constructing a seawall.
Consider using ripraps with 6"-sized stones if your home borders a calmer lake or pond. However, if you're bordering a lake or river, consider using larger, 12"-sized stones. You may also want to use more robust structures such as steel when abutting rougher waterbodies. However, avoid using steel structures on highly saline waters because steel is best suited for freshwater environments.
Which Seawall Design Is Ideal for Current Conditions?
Another vital consideration when choosing a seawall design is whether it's friendly to your environment. Ripraps are considered more eco-friendly because they don't limit the water's ecological movement, causing minimal impact on the ecosystem.
Furthermore, ripraps offer a more organic aesthetic. You can choose to raise native vegetation, which partially hides the ripraps. The type of stones used here also makes the seawall look more natural, which makes ripraps ideal options for blending into your shoreline.
If you want to achieve a stylized look, however, consider outcropping. You can gain numerous style designs using irregular stone shapes and sizes available for this type of seawall.
What's the Cost of Each Seawall Option?
How much should you spend on your ideal seawall design? Contemplate how much you should spend on installing your seawall versus the long-term benefits. For instance, ripraps are cheaper options for short-term gains due to their simple design. However, steel types have longer lifespans compared to any other seawall designs. If you plan to stay on your property for longer, opt for steel seawalls to save more money on maintenance and repair costs.
Another critical factor that dictates the cost of your seawall is the shoreline. Your shoreline may have a unique soil type, harsh currents, and inclines, which will dictate the type of seawall to construct.
Keep in mind this simple checklist to ensure you make an informed decision for the right seawall design for your property. For additional tips, contact a local seawall design engineer.
Share12 March 2021
My name is Debbie Greenberg. I’m a single woman who owns her home, and like most homeowners I dread home repairs. I’m not very handy with do-it-yourself projects around the house. I can do a few minor repairs when necessary, but for the most part I have to call in a professional. Last year I had a leak in my roof. When it rained, water would leak into my kitchen. What appeared to be a simple fix turned out to be anything but simple. It took over four months to finally identify the problem, and double the money I was initially quoted to fix it. The problem ended up being that the flat part of my roof didn't have shingles, but a sheeting material. I learned a bit about home roofs along the way, and that is what I want to share with you.
