AbilityRetain is a modular Corten Steel retaining wall system that allows you to quickly install retaining walls in your garden. The panels are 1.5mm thick, and come pre-rusted so that you don’t have to wait the 6 to 8 weeks for the rusty look that comes with other corten retaining wall/edging systems.
AbilityRetain is perfect for low level retaining walls that do not require engineering approval. Installation is quick and easy, as star pickets may be utilised. However, AbilityRetain can be used with the normal concrete footing methods associated with retaining walls. If you do require a higher retaining wall that will need engineering approval…AbilityRetain can still be used…please contact us for recommendations on installation methods.
Important notes about longevity of corten steel
- It is not recommended to install corten steel in coastal areas, and especially within 2km of the coast.
- Corten steel looks ‘rusty’ because the steel is actually ‘rusting’, and has a lower longevity than steel that is treated for protection. The steel will degrade over time and flake or develop rust holes.
- To enhance the longevity of your corten steel retaining wall, you should consider applying a protection layer (bitumen paint, physical covering) between the back of the corten panels and the soil. This is important to minimise the amount of moisture and high PH soil types interfacing with the Corten steel.
- Other conditions that affect longevity of corten steel include proximity to swimming pool water, high PH soil, and damage from gardening tools.
Installation guidelines
We recommend that you understand any Council regulations pertaining to building retaining walls in your locality. The following guidelines on post installation must be considered in conjunction with any Council regulations.
Low Retaining Walls (2 levels max)- use panels in conjunction with star pickets for extremely fast retaining wall installation.
High Retaining Walls – use panels in conjunction with heavy duty posts concreted into the ground.
Dimensions:
Panels are available in the following lengths:
- 400mm
- 600mm
- 1200mm
A simple joiner is used to create continuous lengths based on the above panel sizes. For example, you can create 800mm (400+400) or 1800mm (1200+600).
The first ‘level’ is 210mm high with each subsequent ‘level’ adding 180mm to the height. So a 2 ‘level’ is 390mm, 3 ‘level’ is 570mm…
