A retaining wall guardrail is a safety obstacle that is fixed on top of a retaining wall to stop people from falling over the edge. Guardrails are generally made of metal, wood, or plastic and they have a vertical balusters and top rail. The top rail must be at least forty-two inches high, and the balusters must be spaced no more than four inches apart.
Guardrails are needed on retaining walls that are over thirty inches high, according to the IRC and IBC. Anyway, even if your retaining wall is not needed to have a guardrail, it is a best idea to install one for safety reasons.
What is a Retaining Wall Guardrail?
It’s one of the best and most cost-effective protective barriers. You have to install the barrier on top of a retaining wall. Manufacturers design these guardrails to prevent people from falling off the wall. What materials are these guardrails? Manufacturers make them from steel, aluminum, or vinyl. It’ll be appropriate to install them on retaining walls that are higher than 30 inches. They help reduce the significant safety risks these walls pose.
Benefits of Retaining Wall Guardrails
These wall guardrails offer many benefits to homeowners. Below are some of the benefits they offer:
Safety
These structures provide an effective safety barrier. The safety barrier prevents people from falling off the wall. They’re important for homes more susceptible to accidents. For instance, homes with children or pets.
Cost-effective
These guardrails offer a cost-effective way of protecting your home. They’re cheaper than the other alternatives or protective barriers. Experts prefer them to barriers like walls or fences.
Easy to install
Every homeowner prefers a protective barrier that’s easy to install. Besides being cost-effective, these wall guardrails are relatively easy to install. You can easily install them to protect your home. In addition, they require minimal maintenance.
Aesthetically pleasing
Manufacturers create these structures in various designs. The numerous designs allow you to choose the ones matching the color and style of your home. Matching the guardrails and your house designs makes your property or home aesthetically pleasing.
How Retaining Wall Guardrails Protect Your Home
These wall guardrails help to protect your home in several ways. For instance, the protective barrier prevents individuals from falling off the wall. These individuals may include children and other family members. Prevention helps to reduce the risk of serious injuries or death. Ensure you install it properly to reduce the risk of falling from the wall.
In addition, the structure helps prevent objects from falling off the wall. These objects may include twigs, debris, rocks, etc. These objects may fall and result in serious property damage. The wall guardrails can also help prevent erosion. How does this protective barrier prevent erosion? It prevents erosion by providing a proper barrier to stop soil and other materials from your property.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is it necessary to install a protective wall guardrail?
This protective barrier is important when you have a high building or structure. In addition, building codes require you to install them for building above a certain height (above 30 inches). You can also install them in areas with a high risk of individuals falling. For instance, near walkways or pedestrian areas.
What are the benefits of installing this protective barrier?
The main benefit of this protective barrier is enhancing safety. The barrier prevents individuals from tripping and falling. Thus, it’s essential to protect individuals from serious injuries or death. In addition, it enhances the aesthetics of the retaining wall and surrounding area.
Is it easy to install these guardrails?
These guardrails can be relatively easy to install. Nonetheless, it depends on the complexity of the installation site. The specific design of the guardrail system will also determine the ease of installation. You may require professional installation in some cases. Professional installation ensures proper installation and compliance with safety regulations.
How do I determine the appropriate installation height?
The installation height depends on the height of the retaining wall. In addition, any applicable safety regulations or building codes may affect the installation height. Generally, the guardrail should be at least 30 inches high. Nevertheless, you may place it higher if the retaining wall is tall or your home is in a high-traffic area.
Summing Up
A retaining wall guardrail is an effective way to protect your home. They protect your home from the hazards of retaining walls. These guardrails offer numerous benefits to your property. These benefits include safety, cost-effectiveness, ease of installation, and aesthetic appeal. Consider installing a guardrail if you have a retaining wall on your property. It’ll provide an extra layer of protection for you and your family.
