how do you beautify a concrete retaining wall

How to Beautify a Concrete Wall

• Preparation Tips If you decide to paint your concrete walls to make them more pleasing in appearance, it is necessary to prep the walls first. ...
• Stucco Beautify exterior concrete walls, such as retaining walls, by applying a layer of stucco to create a textured appearance. ...
• Mural ...
• Additional Ideas ...

Full Answer

How do you make a concrete retaining wall look good?

Stucco – Apply a layer of stucco to exterior concrete walls, such as retaining walls, to produce a textured look. If desired, add a “cover” to the top of the wall by using the appropriate adhesive to adhere small slabs of smooth, natural stone to the wall top.

How do you style a concrete wall?

Bright accents and colors soften the atmosphere in a room with a concrete wall and make it more welcoming and comfortable. For example, a fluffy carpet and a sofa with soft shapes, with some cozy pillows will work beautifully with a concrete wall and the room will be inviting and lively.

How do you camouflage a retaining wall?

Camouflage Wall Use large decorative plants such as tropical varieties or shrubs. Climbing plants could also be a good option as these tend to grow quickly and will cover the surface of your retaining wall in just a few months if taken care of properly.

Can you decorate a retaining wall?

If a brick retaining wall is long, however, it might tend to look plain or bare. Spice up the wall and give it more appeal by decorating it. Many options besides the typical paint job can add texture and character to a brick retaining wall, including plants and wall hangings.

How Can concrete be made aesthetically pleasing?

To produce a coloured concrete simply add a pigment, usually in the form of a powder, to the concrete mix. The pigment is usually a metal oxide and the market leader is Bayer with their coloured pigment range – Bayferrox.

What material looks good with concrete?

The beauty of concrete is it mixes so well with other materials, such as wood, marble, copper and brass, which can all tone down its brutalist tendencies.

How do you cover an outdoor concrete wall?

The simplest way to cover a cinder block wall is by using surface bonding cement to create a concrete finish. Concrete helps insulate the building and keep moisture out. It creates a smooth, finished surface you can leave as is or paint.

How do you brighten a retaining wall?

You can take LED strips of lights and attach them to the underside of a retaining wall lip. At night the light will be cast down the wall and can show off the textures and patterns in it.

Can you paint a concrete retaining wall?

Painting exterior concrete retaining walls can improve their appearance and protect them in the long run. It's important to choose the right kind of paint for this job and to prepare the concrete wall properly to prevent bigger problems later.

What do you put on top of a retaining wall?

0:131:16Retaining Wall Finishing Options- How to Complete Your Wall ProjectYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can also finish your wall with Capstone's cutting caps for curved walls is necessary for aMoreYou can also finish your wall with Capstone's cutting caps for curved walls is necessary for a smooth and continuous fit to do this place two caps on top of the wall.

How do you make a decorative retaining wall?

1:362:58How To Build a Retaining Wall - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipDirectly behind the blocks lay down landscape fabric behind the wall leaving enough excess to reachMoreDirectly behind the blocks lay down landscape fabric behind the wall leaving enough excess to reach the top. Then fill in directly behind the wall with gravel.

How long do concrete retaining walls last?

between 50 and 100 yearsHow Long Should A Retaining Wall Last? Stone retaining walls should last somewhere between 40 and 100 years or more. Wood retaining walls last around 40 years. Stone and concrete retaining walls last between 50 and 100 years.

What can I put on concrete walls?

Things like wood paneling, stone and brick veneer, fabric, vinyl, tile or a cement parge coat all work great. And concrete wall finishes can be used in combination.

What can I use to cover a concrete wall?

The most reliable way to cover concrete walls is to use lumber to create a wooden frame that sits directly on top of the concrete. That wood framing can then be used as a base. The easiest method is to put drywall sheets on top of that frame and then paint the drywall to fit whatever aesthetic you like.

How do you attach decor to concrete?

Adhesive Hooks. Adhesive hooks are the simplest way to hang a picture on concrete. They're super easy to install, simple to remove and are not permanent so they won't damage the wall.

How do you decorate a room with cement walls?

Use a color that matches the accessories and furniture of your interior. If you only have one concrete wall in the room, consider using it as an accent wall. Paint it orange, turquoise or another vibrant color. If you'd rather have a monotone affect, use varying shades of the same color.

What are wall caps made of?

The wall caps are made of polyurethane just like the faux panels are, with all the same advantages of light weight, easy installation, and durable good looks. The fact is, this is a project that delivers a lot of bang for the buck, and for the time and effort you put into it.

Can you use faux stone veneer on a wall?

You know faux stone veneer works great outdoors, but you might not have thought of using it on this kind of wall. The key to the project is not to just stick stone veneer on the front surface but to keep and enhance the look of a solid, thick wall. And you do that with wall caps.

Why is concrete not used in landscapes?

This unforgiving nature of poured concrete explains why they are not often seen in residential landscapes. The evolution of more reliable retaining wall systems and the use of a CMU core allows the landscaper to achieve a great look without the cost or risk. However, some landscape architects and their clients who extend poured concrete architectural elements of a modern house must bring this material into their exterior walls and retaining walls.

What does Woody emphasize about concrete?

Woody also stresses the importance of skilled concrete contractors. "The forms have to be immaculate. Otherwise you risk a wave or bulge in the wall. Where strict geometric forms are required, this kind of variation can be disastrous. Plus, the concrete itself has to be tamped perfectly if the wall is to bear a smooth surface. That's hard to do with retaining walls because there is so much steel inside - it's a whole lot of rebar tied into enormous footings."

What tie system do we use for walls?

For walls under four feet, we use a Simpson tie system that our crews have mastered to allow us to pour walls quickly with high degree of success. The downside is that it takes a long time to build the forms, but once they're up and the pour is complete, there's nothing more to do.

Can you replaster a block wall with travertine?

A block wall with a plaster face can be easily repaired or replastered should there be any discoloration or water seepage from planters at the top. Planters in direct contact with retaining walls can be a risky choice due to the danger of water seepage through the wall to compromise its structural core and discolor the face.

Can you pour concrete walls?

Perhaps the finest examples of poured concrete walls can be seen every day along freeways where these structures are constructed on a massive scale. Watch any of these in process and you get a real appreciation for the skill required to form and pour a perfect wall. There are so many things that can go wrong in this process that it's a difficult solution for residential landscape retaining walls.

Is an 8" concrete wall stronger than an 8" block wall?

Landscape Architect Joseph Huettl of Walnut Creek, California uses both of these methods. "There's no question , an 8" concrete wall is stronger than an 8" block wall. You can use admixtures to help adjust to climatic issues for greater control of moisture intrusion.

Can you use CMU block with plaster?

Many contractors shy away from poured concrete, preferring to use CMU block with a plastered face. The risk of cracking in poured walls and the difficulty in repairing them makes block and plaster a more forgiving choice. This simple retaining wall utilizes a beautiful travertine stone cap upgrade.