What to Know About Seawalls and Bulkheads

Both seawalls and bulkheads can be made from many types of materials, including wood, steel, aluminum, vinyl, and concrete. Choosing the right material for you depends on how much maintenance you want to do.

Wood is commonly used for bulkheads, but if the wood isn't treated or protected, it may begin to rot because of the constant exposure to water. As a result, the ground may suddenly give way, leading to injury. Metal, vinyl, and concrete, on the other hand, require less maintenance because they can better withstand water, making them the safer and more affordable choice if you don't like maintenance.

Both seawalls and bulkheads are a form of hard armoring along the shoreline. Hard armoring, like tough armor on a solder, better protects the soil from erosion. Soft armoring is another solution, but as the name suggests, it's not as efficient at hindering erosion.

Seawalls usually provide better defense because they have two jobs. First, they act as a retaining wall to hold back the soil from crumbling into the ocean. They also serve as a barrier against the water, so it can't erode the soil. For this reason, they are great at protecting homes against heavy waves and water, so you don't end up losing part of your property to erosion.

A bulkhead also serves as a retaining wall, but that's all it does. It is not designed to withstand heavy waves repeatedly hitting it. Therefore, bulkheads are better in places like marinas. The bulkhead allows for deep water right off the shore, which is needed in areas like marinas.

If you already have an existing seawall or bulkhead, you may be able to replace it without much paperwork because it may be "grandfathered in." However, in Alabama, if you are undergoing a project that could impact the Alabama coastal resources, you need a permit. This definitely includes building a new seawall or bulkhead, but it may also include repairing an old one, so always check with your local laws.

These laws are designed to protect the fragile ecosystem along the coast and shoreline. Changing the area too much even by just installing a bulkhead can destroy habitats, kill marine life, and hinder plant life. For this reason, anytime you are stabilizing the shoreline, you must get a permit.

Both seawalls and bulkheads cost about the same. On average, homeowners pay $500 to $1,200 per linear foot for a seawall or bulkhead. When done correctly, however, a bulkhead or seawall can save you money by protecting your property from erosion.

If you can't afford a seawall or bulkhead and erosion is your biggest concern, there are cheaper options, such as planting beach grass or placing debris (stones, logs, etc.). However, these are forms of soft armoring.

When it comes down to choosing how to protect your shoreline, both seawalls and bulkheads can help. If you need a retaining wall that also acts as a water barrier, a seawall is the better choice, but in marinas, bulkheads may be a better solution. If you would like to know more about seawalls and bulkheads, or if you want to learn more about beach construction and improvement methods, contact us at Edgewater Marine Construction, Inc., today.