What is a retaining wall?

Retaining wall is a structure that retain (holds back) any material (usually earth) and prevents it from sliding or eroding away. It is designed so that to resist the material pressure of the material that it is holding back.

Materials we are usually using

As you can imagine, there are scores of different types of materials you can use to create a retaining wall. Of course, each have their own pros and cons and at least one is sure suit your needs and your space right down to the ground.

Interlocking Concrete Blocks

Masonry

Poured Concrete

Timber

Sample designs for you

From the idyllic and pastoral in feel to the sleek and refined, here are the best types of retaining wall styles to consider for your home.

Dry Stone Wall

Dry stone walls look novel and traditional and perfect for an English or cottage-style garden. They are quirky and spirited, and they also don’t require any mortar. They make for a lovely addition to a garden full of flowers and greenery as they beautifully evoke the spirit of the countryside. And since a dry-stone retaining wall will lend your outdoor garden a timeless allure, its often our client’s most requested take on retaining wall ideas. Dry stone walls also provide you with a lot of crevices you can add plants in to maximize your green space in your garden.

Climbers

If you already have a retaining wall and you’re looking to do something to brighten it up, then introducing ivy and climbers into the equation is the way to go. Climbing plants are a wonderful way of adding greenery and hiding a retaining wall which has seen better days, or you consider to be an eyesore, without having to spend a small fortune. Choose a climber which blooms over a long period of time and stays green. Keep the health of your wall in mind and attach a trellis to it, allowing your climbers to cling to that instead of having their roots seep through your retaining wall. That said, climbers make for the ultimate addition to inexpensive retaining wall ideas that boast a countryside feel.

Railway Sleepers

Railway sleepers are perfect if you are looking for a low retaining wall or wood retaining wall ideas. Railway sleepers are heavy duty and will last for a good, long while. And they look stunning in any situation. They’re perfect for a small outside area or backyard and are relatively inexpensive compared to more labor-intensive options. And thanks to their pretty straightforward construction, railway sleepers make great inexpensive retaining wall ideas. To get the look right, simply dig a deep enough trench, lower the sleepers(or beams) in side by side vertically, and then fill the spaces in with a dry concrete blend, and the push the railway sleepers in until the new wall feels secured.

Stacked Retaining Walls

If you have a lot of ground to cover in a small area or you like the look of lower retaining walls better, then stacked retaining walls are a smart alternative to view blocking styles. Not only do they add needed depth to your garden, but they also provide you with a host of endless garden design options. With stacked retaining walls, each level could have a different planting scheme, or a different influence or design direction altogether. As retaining wall ideas go, this one always evokes an elegant and clean look and feel.

Wooden Retaining Fences

Wide fence panels make for a majority of retaining wall ideas and are incredibly popular as well. They look terrific set against the lusciousness of a garden, and they can be customized to match the design of any garden. They are by far the most flexible of all retaining wall options as you can stain and paint your fence panels in any paint color that works for your home. And you can make it look all the more interesting and unique to you by painting a graphic contrasting design or a mural that is not too heavily themed.

Curved Retaining Wall

A curved retaining wall is a great way of adding some style to your garden. Offering something a little different than your usual retaining walls, a curve will add dimension and depth to your outdoor space while making it look all the more interesting. Whether you are interested in concrete retaining wall ideas, or wood retaining wall ideas, throw in a curve and you’ll be sure you won’t regret it.

A Rocky Retaining Wall

If you have a bit of a slope in your garden but it isn’t too steep, then a simple retaining wall made from rocks might just be the best solution for your backyard. This idea can become part of your garden seamlessly when surrounded by foliage and flowers while blending in with the rest of the space. Not only is it simple and effective, but it’s also inexpensive, so it’s great if you are interested in cheap retaining wall ideas. It will also add some extra visual interest and will help to better differentiate the zones in your outdoor area.

Stone Pathway

Make your retaining wall dual-purpose by using it to create a charming pathway. A wide retaining wall makes a sturdy and safe pathway, leading from the bottom to the top of your garden. You can mix and match materials here, creating the most decorative of outdoor spaces. But stones of varying sizes and hues will make it look all the more interestingRetaining Wall with Steps

Site investigation

To allow the structural engineer to design the retaining wall for your project, the following information is require:

The ground bearing capacity
The type of retained material
The height of the water table
Any loads being applied on top of the wall

If you have not done so, please watch the video above as it explains the design process and more about the information we need to carry out the design. We offer a three step retaining wall process to support you.

Step 1 – Help you select the best retaining wall type for your budget and site conditions. We can help you value engineer your project using our experience and knowledge.

Step2 – Design the retaining wall solution

Step 3 – Schedule the materials and obtain the best prices using our supply chain of reliable manufactures, suppliers and contractors.

Design services on offer

Desktop site investigation using customer trial hole, video, images, local geology of the area.
Detailed design, calculations and sketch of the wall.
Project budget
Getting prices using our supply chain.

Retaining wall engineering & design process

Step 1 – Develop the project scope of work – Determine the retaining wall type, length and height of walls and any surcharge loads.

Step 2 – Determine the soil conditions – We need to understand the soil material that is being retained and the soil material the structure is bearing on.

Step 3 – Check for sliding – We will design the wall and carry out several checks to ensure it works. The first check is to make sure the wall does not slide.

Step 4 – Check for overturning – The second check is to make sure the wall does not topple over.

Step 5 – Check bearing capacity – We check the ground bearing capacity can take the loads from the structure.

Step 6 – Check for overall stability – We check that the structure is stable and the factor of safety.

Step 7 – Complete structural design – Once all the checks are made, we then complete the structural design. Write up the report, print out the calculations and draw a section through the retaining wall.

Every project is different, so we can only provide prices from a detailed conversation with you. Site investigation information is crucial to designing a retaining wall.

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