wood seawalls Archives - Gibson Marine Construction

Enjoy the Beauty and Function of a Wood Retaining Wall or a Wood Seawall

November 13, 2020 by gibson Leave a Comment

Whether you’re in the market for a wood retaining wall (which holds back earth on one side of the wall) or a wood seawall (which retains earth on one side and water on the other side), there is no need to sacrifice aesthetics to get the job done. They can provide both beauty and function.

Why Choose a Wood Seawall or a Wood Retaining Wall?

Wood seawalls and wood retaining walls add rich, natural beauty to any landscape. And, choosing marine-grade wood material is an excellent way to protect your land from the tides, waves, and hurricanes, or to prevent land movement. Selecting wood for your marine construction structure can also be a cost effective choice at installation.

With that being said, it is important to know that wood does require more frequent inspections, repairs, and/or replacement. And it does hold up better in fresh water as opposed to salt water. Regardless, wooden seawall and wooden retaining wall owners will need to be more vigilant about the condition of their wooden marine construction structure. That’s why it’s important to choose professionals to do the job.

At Gibson Marine Construction we use marine-grade material for wood seawalls. Our wall construction consists of vertical 2” x 6” PT marine-grade lumber, a combination of 2” x 8” front and back wale system and a 2” x 12” PT marine grade cap. And depending on the environment, a wood wall can provide many years of service.

Questions About Starting Your Marine-Grade Wood Seawall or Wood Material Project?

If you’re thinking about a wood seawall or wood retaining wall to protect or prevent damage to your property, consider our specialists at Gibson Marine Construction to do the job. With over 30 years of experience our team will work with you to design and construct your wood seawall or wood retaining wall. Contact us today, we’d love to talk about the beauty and function that a wood retaining wall or wood seawall could bring to your property.

Florida Seawalls and the Materials That Support Them

February 11, 2016 by gibson Leave a Comment

In landscape architecture, retaining walls provide the function that retards erosion while adding style to the overall design. Concrete, brick, natural stone; their configurations are endless – some are truly inspired and lend an ornamental touch that distinguishes a front lawn or a backyard retreat.

Seawalls are a Super Retaining Wall that Retard Erosion

Their purpose is to retard erosion, but they are between a rock and a hard place so to speak. Seawalls are subjected to the relentless force of water trying to work against them. Not to say that these walls are less aesthetically pleasing than a wall whose purpose is to control moisture runoff and provide an effective drainage system.

Seawalls have come a long way from solid blocks of concrete devoid of character. As a weekend warrior you may wish to tackle an array of landscape design ideas, but when it comes to seawalls, you’re going to need a professional.

Florida Seawalls Function as an Extension of Your Property

In Florida, seawalls are not simply delineations, some provide a usable surface that almost acts as an extension of your property. (Not true necessarily of rip rap seawall, but those materials boast their own unique charm because of their ability to naturally integrate into the surrounding area.)

Vinyl Sheet Piling for Seawalls

The use of vinyl sheet piling for seawalls bestows a great deal of flexibility. Inherent in the composition of the material is an opportunity for the ultimate creativity. Even better, vinyl sheet piling offers an appealingly appearance, due in part by the flexibility of a vinyl seawall. They are resistant to damage caused by UV rays, and are impervious to rot and corrosion; and even the devastation caused by marine borers.

What else do we like as far as using vinyl in seawall installations? Overall, their installation is actually easier than that of other materials. Because it is more impact resistant, the installation is more efficient, and that gets us out of a client’s way sooner!

Rip Rap and Wood Seawalls

Again, your seawall installation should not only do the job, it should look the way you want it to. Beyond the design itself; the material makes a strong statement.

A rip rap seawall – constructed from stone – may appear like a jumbled collection, but those elements are intentionally placed to function optimally as they are laid atop an underlayment as a foundation. Rip rap provides a unique look and even acts as a natural environment for marine life.

Wood seawalls could be considered the most traditional. They do tend to be cost effective at first installation, but they do of course have their vulnerabilities. The seawall owner will need to be cognizant of the need for more frequent inspections and vigilance about repairs. Marine grade pressure treated woods are your first line of defense, but the beauty of that more organic look does come with a price of sorts: maintenance.

Tampa Bay, Florida’s Seawall Construction Specialists

As Florida marine construction specialists, we issue 25 year warranties against our labor, but you can’t beat the additional assurances from the manufacturers either. You can get up to 50 years on vinyl seawalls. If you need a seawall or are interested in making a change to one, give us a call for a consultation at 727-942-3111 or complete the website contact form. We can even support your landscaping vision!

Which Seawall Material is Right for You?

May 14, 2015 by gibson Leave a Comment

If you own a property on the water, you know just how important your seawall is to the safety and value of that property. It is important have a structure in place that will prevent erosion, damage and even enhance the look of the property from the water.

Seawall Material Recommendations

With the variety of options for the materials used to build your seawall, how do you know which option is right for you? Perhaps these explanations will help you make a decision!

Rip Rap Seawall Material

A rip rap (or stone) wall adds stability while giving your property a natural look. The rip rap consists of rocks, stone or other material arranged to prevent erosion from water. While this option is most commonly used on shorelines of creeks and rivers, it can be used anywhere where erosion from water is a possibility.

Rip rap not only looks natural, but it also provides a great habitat for wildlife! Especially when the tide is high, rip rap offers an ideal shelter for small marine animals.

It is important that rip rap is installed properly. Gibson Marine Construction installs an underlayment before installing. Once the underlayment is installed, Florida fieldstone or lime rock is installed at a 2:1 ratio with rock between 8” and 24”.

Wood as a Seawall Material Option

While this option provides a more natural look, and offers a lower initial installation cost, keep in mind that wood seawalls are prone to factors that could require more-frequent repairs or replacement. Depending on the environment, though, this option could provide many years of service.

It is important that properly-treated wood is used at installation to avoid rot. Gibson Marine Construction uses all marine-grade material for our wood seawalls. Our wall construction consists of vertical 2” x 6” PT marine-grade lumber, a combination of 2” x 8” front and back wale system and a 2” x 12” PT marine grade cap along.

Vinyl Seawall Material

Vinyl seawalls, also known as PVC seawalls, have many benefits that exceed the other two options. Although they don’t offer the natural look that rip rap or wood seawalls provide, vinyl seawalls do, however, provide much greater protection from the elements. Our vinyl seawalls are backed by a 50-year warranty against rust, rot, corrosion, falling prey to marine bores, or UV damage from the sun.

Vinyl seawalls are typically easier to install, and are extremely durable which could add up to cost savings both up front, and in the long run. Vinyl seawalls are resistant to the natural elements such as sun, wind and water, as well as marine-boring critters that target wood seawalls.

It may be clear why vinyl seawalls are a popular choice, but Gibson Marine Construction can install any option you choose. Whether it’s rip rap, wood, or vinyl, we can make your waterfront property safer and more beautiful with a new seawall!

Seawall Installation and Repair Experts in Tampa Bay, Florida

Does your seawall need a repair? We can help there too! Contact us today if you have any questions about our seawall materials or services.