BULKHEAD

A bulkhead is a retaining wall generally built to protect needed shoreline from eroding elements near a watershed. The general definition will also note that It may also be used in many different scenarios. For instance underground mines use bulkheads to contain flooding. Coastal bulkheads are most often referred to as seawalls, bulkheading, or riprap revetments. These manmade structures are constructed along shorelines with the purpose of controlling beach erosion. Construction materials commonly used include wood pilings, commercially developed vinyl products, large boulders stacked to form a wall, or a seawall built of concrete or another hard substance.Coastal property owners typically seek to develop bulkheads in an attempt to slow large landslide erosion caused by wave action.Wooden bulkhead construction is economical and does a fine job protecting property from erosion.  Built with treated wood, the bulkhead is protected from parasites in the water. Construction of a vinyl bulkhead is generally a bit more costly than wooden bulkhead, but with many advantages.  Advantages include: chemical resistance, mildew resistance, and marine borers resistance.  A vinyl bulkhead is very flexible and has an elasticity that can move with high pressure waves without breaking apart or caving in.  Vinyl bulkhead can endure extreme heat or cold without expanding or breaking.