Glatthaar UK’s Starwalls are precast retaining walls that offer a great solution on a self build project. The precast concrete walls are clad with natural stone – eliminating the need for onsite cladding – and are positioned in-situ using concrete foundations, with the potential to reach up to three meters.
As well as offering a quick-to-erect boundary wall treatment, the factory-made walls are ideal for stabilising sloping sites, which are often a feature on self build plots as the perfect flat plot becomes harder to find.
Starwalls are the brainchild of prefabricated-basement specialist Glatthaar, who found that several of their clients wanted to use them on their site, where traditional labour-intensive landscaping elements threatened to slow the process down. Not only was this due to the time it took to do the work, but also in the struggle to find available trades to take on the job.
In addition, Glatthaar say that its Starwall product bridges the gap between the visual appeal of traditional stone-built walls with the structural strength that is normally delivered by reinforced concrete retaining walls, offering a blend of beauty and practicality.
As with everything on a build project, planning ahead is vital as the panels are manufactured in Germany and shipped to the UK, a lead time that needs factoring in. However, concrete foundations can be prepared in advance, allowing for speedy on site erection – and once cured, the walls can be backfilled to create the finished look.
Careful planning can strengthen the finished look of the home, with the materials of the build and its hard landscaping helping the new home to fit in its setting.
As well as retaining walls, the Starwall system can be used to create areas of drama and landscaping features such as screening walls for privacy.
About uneven ground
Many people source land for their project that needs work to ensure the build is structurally safe. This may be due to uneven ground, a sloping site or other stability issues, such as back-filled land, and the landscaping costs associated with such work must be realistically factored in as part of the overall budget. Make sure you check with your architect and surveyor what is need upfront, so that no nasty surprises catch you out part way through.
On such sites, failure to create retaining walls as part of the self build risks movement during or after project completion, which can cause significant damage and may invalidate your warranty if the up-front works turn out to have been skimped on.
Equally, builds that factor in a basement also need careful planning in the management of any excavations, especially where lowered courtyards offer a source of light. This is where using a reputable company, like Glatthaar UK, can pay dividends, as they bring a wealth of experience to your project in relation to ensure that all works are robust and fit for purpose, as well as what works from a design perspective. Glatthaar also offers a range of pre-cast modular basements, ideal for work spaces or plant rooms, and can advise on costs and suitability on your project.
