Novum Wall vs. Dry Cast SRW: Which Retaining Wall Is Right for Your Project?
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Short on time? Here are this article’s key takeaways…
Both Novum Wall and larger dry cast segmental retaining wall (SRW) provide design support and compatibility with tools like AutoCAD, SRWall, and SketchUp.
Installation of Novum Wall uses larger, machine-set blocks that can reduce crew size and time on site.
Wet cast concrete used in Novum Wall allows for higher surface detail and varied color options; dry cast blocks tend to have more uniform appearance.
Novum Wall’s material composition offers higher density and durability, which may reduce maintenance over time relative to dry cast SRWs.
Whether you're tackling a retaining wall project in your own backyard, reviewing installation options for a client, or designing a new wall system, you need confidence in your retaining wall product choice. For gravity retaining walls in the 6 ft (1.8 m) range up to reinforced walls exceeding 20 ft (6.1 m), Novum Wall is often considered alongside dry cast segmental retaining walls (SRW).
Continue reading as we compare these two retaining wall solutions, exploring design and installation, appearance, durability, and lifetime value.
Design and Installation
The start of your project sets the tone for everything that follows, so it makes sense to choose a solution that a wall designer can work with easily and install efficiently.
Novum Wall
- Growing selection of technical resources, including a complete block library, product data sheets, templates, and models for SRWall, AutoCAD, and SketchUp design platforms
- Install with a crew as small as 2-3 and compact machinery like a skidsteer or mini-excavator.
- Machine-set installation of larger blocks significantly boosts efficiency, accelerating projects and reducing crew wear and tear.
Dry Cast SRW
- Larger suppliers offer robust design aids, including product-specific tools and third-party platform plug-ins.
- Installation is performed by hand, requiring larger crews to match the speed of Novum Wall.
- With blocks a fraction of the size of Novum Wall, dry cast SRWs require much more time and energy to install.
Appearance
Smaller retaining walls like those we're exploring here are often placed in high-traffic, high-visibility areas. So why not build a wall that’s as eye-catching as it is durable? Your outdoor space deserves only the highest quality materials.
When your project calls for both performance and presence, the choice is clear. Novum Wall delivers artisanal texture and locally inspired color that turns a structural necessity into a design centerpiece – something standard dry cast SRWs simply can’t match.
Novum Wall
- Handcrafted molds inspired by actual quarried stones produce authentically textured retaining wall blocks
- Fluid architectural-grade wet cast concrete allows for the creation of high-definition block textures.
- Regional manufacturers offer textures and colors inspired by the local landscape.
Dry Cast SRW
- The manufacturing process involves rigid forms and high compaction, which produces significantly less surface detail.
- Coloration may appear more uniform, without the desirable subtle variation typically found in natural stone tones.
- Uniform block shapes and colors can be preferable for those seeking walls with sharp lines and consistent tones.
Decided yet? Ready to put Novum Wall to work for your next project?
Durability
A high-strength solution is non-negotiable when it comes to retaining walls. But how that strength is achieved – and how it holds up over time – can vary widely. Let’s take a closer look at how Novum Wall compares to traditional dry cast SRWs in terms of durability and long-term performance.
While both systems offer structural reliability, Novum Wall goes further with enhanced density and superior durability. Its wet cast construction is engineered to withstand the elements and preserve its beauty over time. For projects where long-term performance matters as much as aesthetics, Novum Wall is the durable choice.
Novum Wall
- Wet cast concrete’s denser composition provides exceptional compressive strength and long-term resilience in marine applications.
- Precision forming and thorough curing help maintain structural integrity for decades.
- Durable surface textures resist weathering, even in intense freeze-thaw environments.
Dry Cast SRW
- High compaction process creates solid blocks with reliable strength for many standard applications.
- Susceptible to surface wear, especially on exposed edges, due to lower cement paste content.
- A more porous composition may absorb moisture more easily, increasing vulnerability in marine walls and freeze-thaw climates.
Lifetime Value
When choosing a retaining wall system, it's essential to look beyond initial price tags and consider long-term, or lifetime, value. Novum Wall and dry cast segmental retaining walls differ significantly in how they perform, age, and impact overall project costs over time.
While Novum Wall may carry a slightly higher upfront cost for materials, its innovative wet cast design delivers superior durability, aesthetics, and performance. This translates to lower maintenance costs and greater lifetime value, especially for property owners seeking a premium, low-maintenance solution.
Novum Wall
- Wet cast concrete delivers enhanced durability and long-term strength.
- Larger block sizes contribute to a more cost-effective installation, reducing installation time and labor costs.
- Can build taller walls without reinforcement, reducing additional material costs.
- Superior aesthetics maintain curb appeal and property value over time.
Dry Cast SRW
- Lower initial material cost, but requires more labor to install.
- Smaller units can shift over time, increasing maintenance needs.
- Dry cast composition is more susceptible to weathering and wear over the years.
- Aesthetic quality may fade, reducing visual appeal in long-term installations.
When comparing Novum Wall retaining walls to traditional dry cast segmental retaining walls, the advantages become clear over the short and long term. Lower material costs and ready availability of dry cast SRWs can balance out increased installation time for minor wall projects. However, as the project size and demand increase, Novum Wall emerges as the logical choice. The larger block Novum system speeds up installation, reducing labor hours and equipment needs, and its structural integrity and longer service life minimize the risk of future repairs or replacements, making it a wise investment.
Ultimately, Novum Wall beats dry cast segmental retaining walls for residential, commercial, and industrial projects that demand both form and function.