Choosing the Best Retaining Wall Material

Are you looking to revamp your outdoor area by increasing your lawn space, and adding a bit of aesthetically pleasing structures? Then a retaining wall may be the perfect answer for you!  
 
Retaining walls are multifunctional permanent structures that can be made of various materials, depending on your needs and wants. These walls create a level area from an otherwise sloping land, significantly increasing the land area that you can use for whatever purpose you see fit. The availability of different materials in building these walls also give them a certain versatility over the design, feel, and overall look of the wall. They are not just functional- they can pretty up your space, too! 
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When choosing the best retaining wall material, the most common materials used in building retaining walls are concrete (poured or precast blocks), stone (natural or veneer), brick, gabion, and wood. 
 
Choosing the right material for your wall is important, unless you are building one purely for decorative purposes. There are several factors to consider relating to the layout and overall properties of your land, such as: 
 

• Soil type 
  
• Amount of runoff 
  
• Level of sloping 
  
• Climate 
  
• Proneness to natural calamity 
  

• Weight above the wall 
  
• Neighboring structures 
  
• Local building codes 
  

 
To help you decide on which material to go for, we broke down the pros and cons of using the most common building materials for retaining walls. ​

Concrete Blocks

Perfect for:Curved walls, Spanish and mid-century aesthetic 
Pros:Easy to install 
Cons:Maximum height for stability is 4 feet, not suitable for offsetting heavy load ​

Poured Concrete

Perfect for:Commercial settings 
Pros:Strong and versatile 
Cons:Requires professional installation, needs an outlet for runoff ​

Stone Veneers

Perfect for:Walls of any look, size, and thickness 
Pros:Strong and versatile 
Cons:Requires professional installation ​

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Stones and Boulders

Perfect for:Country and English style aesthetic 
Pros:Cheap and easy to source 
Cons:Needs constant maintenance, prone to water damage ​

Brick

Perfect for:Any kind of wall, rustic and traditional aesthetic 
Pros:Durable and long-lasting 
Cons:Requires professional installation, needs an outlet for runoff ​

Gabion

Perfect for:Coastal and riverside areas 
Pros:Easy to install, moves with the earth 
Cons:Expensive material, rust basket is prone to rust ​

Wood

Perfect for:Gardens and decorative walls 
Pros:Cheap and relatively easy to install 
Cons:Maximum height for stability is 4 feet, prone to weather and wear and tear, needs to be treated prior to installation, labor intensive installation ​

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Improve your outdoor living area with hardscaping. You can incorporate stairs, walkways into your retaining walls for a more functional space.

If you are not sure of how to start your project, CONTACT US today or call (567) 236 - 8232 and our expert contractors can help you from planning to constructing your retaining walls!