A properly designed seawall can last for hundreds of years. A seawall will protect land and structures from flooding waters, aiding with the retention of a property's value. With the use of several materials, a seawall can be striking in appearance and add an attractive border around a home. Explore different seawall designs that can be used to protect your property.

A Riprap Border

Riprap consists of a series of rocks that are laid along with a synthetic material. Rocks are often placed in piles and can be used to line an embankment or to cover flat land that is adjacent to a body of water. Sometimes, rocks are used along with a base material. An example of this would be a concrete structure that contains a concave surface.

With this type of setup, the concrete would provide a barricade that blocks the water and the rocks that are used to create a layer along the top would also act as a barrier. The two materials used cohesively would create a unique design. Multi-colored rocks could be used to offset the color of the concrete. This type of seawall is suitable for use along a waterway that contains relatively calm waters, especially if rocks are going to be the main component use to create the barrier.

A Hard Cement, Wood, Or Metal Border

Steel rods are often used to reinforce a hard cement, wood, or metal seawall. Steel will be driven into the earth and act as an anchoring system. Because all of the main components that are used to create a seawall are vastly different and can be customized, there are countless ways to design this type of border.

The property's layout, the color of a home, and the body of water that is located next to the land may influence the color of the material that is selected and the height and thickness of the seawall. For a rustic touch, wooden logs can be aligned next to each other to form a seawall. For a basic outline, hard cement or smooth metal can be used to construct a wall.

Some materials are better suited for saltwater and freshwater than others and a seawall design engineer will be needed for the design and installation steps. Based upon the average height of waves or potential flooding that your home is subjected to, a seawall design that is sufficient will be prepared and you will be guided in choosing materials. Reach out to a company like Reuben Clarson Consulting for help with seawall design. 

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