Houses situated on steep slopes may benefit from—or even require—a retaining wall. Retaining walls come in many forms, including timbers, precast paver blocks, and natural or cut stone. Regardless of the material you choose, it is essential to hire an expert. Retaining walls can be expensive, but they greatly enhance your yard’s aesthetics while significantly increasing usable space.
In most residential settings, retaining walls typically max out at 4 feet. Anything over 4 feet requires an engineer, as well as additional involvement with permitting, inspections, and regulatory compliance. This is where terracing comes into play. Terraced designs create attractive, functional levels in your yard that can be enhanced with lighting, plants, and other landscape features.
Paver walls offer the best balance of form, function, and cost. Most customers opt for paver retaining walls, which use precast concrete blocks designed to interlock for high stability. These blocks are generally rated for walls up to 4 feet tall.
Building a long-lasting natural stone retaining wall is an art. Some are built dry (without mortar), while others use mortar for additional strength. While these walls are sturdy and visually striking, they are labor-intensive and costlier than paver walls.
Timber retaining walls can create a rustic, functional aesthetic. We recommend pressure-treated landscape timbers over railroad ties. Though they offer a charming look, they generally don’t last as long as paver walls.
Dry stack walls are an affordable option, especially if repurposing on-site materials. However, they must be as wide as they are tall, making them less practical for certain applications.