Has anyone done a good tutorial on working with retaining walls? Did a quick look but didn't see it specifically mentioned in the posts.
I have not used them until today because of getting the look right. I planned on using them in this one spot so they came out looking okay. The issue though is I still get the weird ball reaction when it hits near the wall. Also when the ball comes to rest on them, you are standing up straight but are really playing whats underneath(usually a nasty side hill lie).
There are a few things about retaining walls I'd mention by way of tips mostly:
DON'T overuse them. It is not required for a retaining wall to completely surround a water feature or green or whatever. Simply let the wall flow into the bank or cover the end with foliage or have it and with a pier or something. In fact I'd almost rather see that then the overuse I see so often where folks simply don't know when to quit.
Lay more than one AND more than one layer. In other words when you put down the wall put it down two or three times. Seems odd but you'll find it gives your "blending" texture a better look. Also, don't just do one. Do another wall behind it. Maybe three. Why? Because you can actually just cover up the blend texture entirely AND keep from getting odd texture tearing by covering it up. Works great.
put the initial wall in before you start jacking with the height of the land. Put the wall where you want THEN start fiddling with the elevations. Don't do it the other way. At least that's my opinion.
Other than those things it's just a matter of fiddling. Putting down walls only in locations that would benefit or make things look cool and getting the "blend" texture right or covering it up entirely are the biggest points.
