What Advantages Does Novum Wall Offer Over Alternative Retaining Walls?

Novum Wall is an evolved system born of nearly a quarter century of retaining wall innovation. Its big sibling, Redi-Rock, is the large block retaining wall choice of thousands of engineers worldwide and is used in applications from ocean walls to Olympic bobsleigh courses. Novum Wall was developed with the same goals – create a versatile wall system that can be designed and installed simply and efficiently, lasts a lifetime, and looks like it’s built of natural stone. Novum Wall departs from Redi-Rock because of its smaller size, which makes it a terrific solution for walls in small footprints or difficult-to-access sites.

How Does Novum Wall Compare to Alternative Wall Products?

Novum Wall is a unique solution, so objectively comparing it to alternative products isn’t easy, but we’ll do our best to do so. We’ll compare Novum Wall to four popular alternatives: dry cast segmental retaining walls (SRW), cast-in-place (CIP) walls, gabion baskets, and natural stone. Additionally, we’ve identified several categories that typically factor into purchasing decisions: design ease, installation efficiency, durability and appearance, and overall value.

Design Ease

Novum Wall is produced by a network of manufacturers, but it’s also backed by a team of technical experts who know the solution inside and out. Our support team works directly with wall designers and engineers to ensure they get the most out of Novum Wall for their clients. Novum Wall can also be designed with SRWall and offers specialized design assets for AutoCAD and SketchUp.

Alternatives like dry cast SRW can be designed with platforms like SRWall, but the design aids end there. Wall designers and architects using dry cast SRW, CIP, gabions, or natural stone won’t enjoy specialized support like that offered by Novum Wall engineers and technical experts to help determine project feasibility and guide them through design and installation processes.

Installation Efficiency

Novum Wall’s standard block dimensions of 46 ⅛ in wide x 9 in tall x 20 in deep (1172 mm x 229 mm x 508 mm) and 610 lb ± 30 lb (277 kg ± 13.6 kg) weight combine for a stout but manageable solution. The blocks are easily transported through limited access points and installed in tight project footprints with smaller equipment like skid steers, mini-excavators, and sub-compact utility tractors.

Novum Wall’s larger but manageable size means smaller crews can install more block face area than hand-laid dry cast SRW blocks and the large equipment and extensive forming required for cast-in-place can cost substantial time and money. Faster walls with smaller crews without sacrificing quality sounds like a good combination to us. Take a look at our installation resources for more details.

Durability and Detail

The architectural-grade wet cast concrete used to craft Novum Wall offers two significant advantages over other wall products: it’s more durable and more detailed.

The lower porosity of wet cast prevents water from entering the block and helps it hold up better than dry cast SRW blocks, especially in regions that experience freeze-thaw cycles. Wet cast also enjoys an advantage in marine scenarios over gabion wall cages that can be susceptible to corrosion and failure.

Novum Wall also doesn’t do ugly walls. Once again, its wet cast composition gives it a leg up over the alternatives. Wet cast features a higher water content in its initial mix, which allows the concrete to flow more easily into forms and molds during production. This delivers the natural-looking, highly defined face textures that define Novum Wall, making it the choice for high-profile, high-traffic installations.

Overall Value

The value of a retaining wall solution should never be measured based simply on the cost of the blocks. Instead, it’s wise to weigh the wall’s “lifetime value.” The lifetime value includes the product pricing, but also factors in design, installation, and durability. A solution with cheaper blocks may cost more in the long run when installation costs are considered, or it may need substantial repair or even earlier replacement than a wall crafted of more expensive materials. The lifetime value concept is the inspiration behind Novum Wall. To create a block that is simpler to design with, more efficient to install, lasts longer, and looks better than alternatives. Novum Wall blocks may cost more than dry cast SRW blocks or gabion walls, but you’ll enjoy more efficient installation and enhanced durability. Natural stone may provide that ultra-natural appearance, but Novum Wall’s deeply grooved textures are tough to distinguish and the uniform dimensions of Novum Wall blocks will make installation easier and save plenty of money on installation costs.

Novum Wall stands out as a preferred retaining wall solution, combining technical expertise, versatile design capabilities, and durable wet cast construction. Backed by a team of specialists, Novum Wall supports designers and engineers throughout the design and installation process, offering resources for platforms like SRWall, AutoCAD, and SketchUp. The blocks’ dimensions and manageable weight enable efficient installation with smaller crews and equipment, saving time and costs compared to hand-laid or cast-in-place systems. Its architectural-grade wet cast concrete ensures superior durability while delivering highly defined, natural-looking textures ideal for high-profile applications. All this adds up to a serious advantage regarding your wall’s lifetime value. Novum Wall offers an optimal blend of functionality, aesthetics, and efficiency. And while the blocks themselves may cost a little more than dry cast SRW blocks or gabion basket materials, the monies saved with design simplicity, installation efficiency, and long-term durability are almost assured to leave you ahead.