Categories: Design

How to Build a Timber Retaining Wall | This Old House

This Old House landscaping contractor Roger Cook shows how to construct a wood-timber retaining wall to create a play area. (See below for a shopping list and tools.)
SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse

Shopping List for How to Build a Timber Retaining Wall:
– 1×3 wood stakes [https://amzn.to/2M18dFg] and nylon string [https://amzn.to/2HBw0GJ], used to establish layout lines for timbers
– 6×8-inch pressure-treated landscaping timbers [https://amzn.to/2QbzIe4], used to build retaining wall
– wood preservative [https://amzn.to/2JJaXVj], to treat cut ends of timbers
– 3/4-inch stone [https://amzn.to/2EdQRPu], used as base and drainage material
– landscaping filter fabric [https://amzn.to/2LO8Wd3], used to prevent soil from clogging drainpipe
– 4-inch-diameter perforated drainage pipe [https://amzn.to/2HLe2BJ], for draining water away from retaining wall
– 1/2-inch-diameter (No. 4) x 4-foot-long metal reinforcing bar [https://amzn.to/2W9sgFy], used to stake timbers and dead men to ground
– 12-inch landscaping screws [https://amzn.to/2VBu9Xq], for fastening together the landscaping timbers
– bark mulch [https://amzn.to/2YAKsFK], used to cover the ground in front of the retaining wall

Tools for How to Build a Timber Retaining Wall:
– hand tamper [https://amzn.to/2JSBlfz], used to compact the soil and stone base
– wheelbarrow [https://amzn.to/2HlIx1Y], used to transport stone and mulch to jobsite
– shovel [https://amzn.to/2w3KUzU], for excavating the ground
– circular saw [https://amzn.to/2VwSi0W], used to cut timbers
– impact driver [https://amzn.to/2VsuNGw], used to drive landscaping screws into timbers
– drill/driver [https://amzn.to/2VvOsp8] with 9/16-inch-diameter spade bit [https://amzn.to/2JHHKdk], used to bore holes in timbers for rebar stakes
– sledgehammer [https://amzn.to/2W2h4uv], used to drive in rebar and wood stakes
– 6-foot level [https://amzn.to/2w6ADDi]
– torpedo level [https://amzn.to/2WdILAg]
– foam paint brush [https://amzn.to/2VwkDo4]

Looking for more step by step guidance on how to complete projects around the house? Join This Old House INSIDER to stream over 1,000 episodes commercial-free: https://bit.ly/2GPiYbH

Plus, download our FREE app for full-episode streaming to your connected TV, phone or tablet:
https://bit.ly/34RYEP5

Follow This Old House and Ask This Old House:
Facebook: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseFB
Twitter: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseTwitter
http://bit.ly/AskTOHTwitter
Pinterest: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHousePinterest
Instagram: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseIG
http://bit.ly/AskTOHIG

For more on This Old House and Ask This Old House, visit us at: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseWebsite

How to Build a Timber Retaining Wall | This Old House
https://www.youtube.com/user/thisoldhouse/

web3d

View Comments

  • You can't effectively seal the pressure treated once you cut it. It just won't soak in like it was originally impregnated. I could watch Pamela all day long. Building walls, bird houses, whatever...

  • timba! I don't think Roger has R's in his vocab, and I want to hear him say his own name so bad!!!

  • Joe Biden is trash. He sold out America to the leftest like the people from Boston. Thanks Boston and Mass. You suck as bad as my home state of Illinois.

  • This is an all-inclusive package for any woodwork designer/builder shedbuilder.work Ryan's product is a compilation of experience and expertise to bring out the best for any woodwork. I can use this for a long time to come.

Recent Posts

test

test test

2 years ago

Finding the Perfect Lake House

David helps a NY couple find their second home on Oneida Lake. source

3 years ago

100 Day Dream Home

Brian and Mika help an engaged couple with their first big joint decision. source

3 years ago

Home for sale Austin | Southwest | New | $880K | 4606 SF | 5 Bedroom | 5.5 Bath

This home is located in the neighborhood of Rocky Creek in Southwest Austin. The builder…

3 years ago

Maine Mountain Home

A family building a dovetail log cabin races to beat the elements. source

3 years ago

Portrait Studio – How to Set Up a Home Photography Studio for Under $200

In this video, you will learn how to set up a photography studio at home…

3 years ago