|
Material |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
| Wood |
Easiest material to work with; fits well esthetically into any environment. |
Treated wood can contain chemicals that can damage plants; can be expensive; tends to rot. |
| Stone |
Blends well into most environments; large selection available |
May need contractor to construct wall due to weight and skill needed; usually permanent; can be abrasive. |
| Concrete |
Very adaptable; can be pre-molded or poured on site; colors and textures can be blended well into urban environments. |
Must have appropriate foundation; pouring may require a contractor; can be abrasive. |
| Cinder Blocks |
Relatively easy to work with; cheap; holes are adaptable as planters. |
Not very appealing esthetically; large and bulky; soil dries rapidly and requires frequent watering. |
| Bricks |
Can be most esthetically pleasing of all materials; available in variety of colors. |
Brick-layer may be needed to construct bed; expensive; tend to be permanent. |
| Salvage |
Cheap; possibly free. |
Can be abrasive; safety issues. |
| Terra Cotta |
Very attractive; can be inexpensive; smooth surfaces tend to be less abrasive |
Tends to be very heavy. |
