Modern Retaining Walls Installation Guide
Modern retaining walls are essential elements in landscaping, providing both functional and aesthetic benefits. They help manage soil erosion, create level spaces on sloped terrains, and add visual appeal to outdoor areas. In this article, we’ll discuss the multiple factors which go into attaining your retaining walls today!
1. Choosing the Right Materials
Selecting the appropriate materials for your retaining walls are crucial and play a foundational part in every other step to come. While Best Pro Landscape handles all designing and building, we have created a curated selection of client favorites, as well as our handpicked go-tos to help give you options to best suit your needs!
Pisa™ : Pisa™ stones come in a wide variety of textures and colors, used not only for retaining walls, but seen to be used in porches and stone-steps as well! Our customers who have chosen Pisa™ stones in the past have shown to love their versatility in design and textures, giving clients the options to have rougher, more natural looking stones for exterior appeal, or smoother options for usage purposes.
Here, we can see Pisa™ stones used in numerous ways. This client has recently worked with us at Best Pro Landscape to create several new features for their back and front yard.
We may observe Granite Pisa™ Stones used for short retaining walls, adorning a small flower bed. Here, these stones are textured externally with a smooth top, allowing for ease of usage when gardening whilst creating the illusion of natural stones.
Additionally, these homeowners chose Natural Dove Gray Pisa™ Stones to create outdoor steps in their backyard, preserving that concrete finished look with round outsides and a smooth top; sleek and modern!
We may see the same stones used for their front porch. Observe how natural lighting affects the look of these stones differently, creating an ethereal and lighter color in broad daylight.
SiennaStone™ : An older and well-trusted supplier of retaining walls is SiennaStone™, known to be classic and original. While their selection is not as vast with regards to textures or colors when compared to more recent stone companies and providers, SiennaStone™ provides smooth textures and simple colors, almost made for contemporary looks.
Here, we can see a project completed in 2023 where this homeowner selected SiennaStone™ Safari Smooth stones to create retaining walls on the perimeter of their backyard, separating their mini gardens and flower beds from the rest of their lawn, adding a touch of class to their external space.
Additionally, true to Best Pro Landscape services, we can see their walls holding up exactly one year later!
Armour™ : A rare find and acquired taste, Armour™ Stones provide natural cut limestone blocks from local sources, bringing nature to your home! While the artisanal style of these stones comes with a higher price than most, these retaining walls are sure to last over a lifetime.
Here, a project completed in 2023 by Best Pro Landscape utilized Guillotined Armour™ Limestone to create retaining and dividing walls for this homeowner. The raw cut complements the geometric interlocking design, separated by river rocks creates a natural flow of time and nature itself!
ZenWall: Known for its sleek, contemporary look, ZenWall is a versatile and modern retaining wall system designed for both residential and commercial applications. Its unique, patented shape allows for installation in various orientations (up, down, flipped, or rotated), providing a superior lateral and vertical interlock. This flexibility makes ZenWall suitable for a range of landscape projects, offering a sleek, contemporary aesthetic with straightforward installation. The system does not require pins or clips, simplifying the construction process while ensuring robust structural integrity.
Architextures: Ideal for creating unique, textured walls. It features a unique, patented shape that allows for multiple orientations, ensuring superior interlock and stability without the need for pins or clips.
2. Planning and Design
Once your materials are selected, proper planning and design are critical for successful retaining wall installation. Consider the following steps:
Site Assessment : Evaluate the site to understand the soil type, slope, and drainage conditions.
Design Requirements : Determine the wall height, length, and load-bearing requirements.
Material Selection : Choose the appropriate block style and color to match the overall landscape design.
3. Installation Process
Installing a retaining wall involves several key steps:
Excavation : Dig a trench for the wall foundation, ensuring it is deep enough to support the wall’s height.
Base Preparation : Lay a solid base of compacted gravel to provide stability.
First Course: Place the first row of blocks, ensuring they are level and aligned.
Building the Wall : Continue stacking blocks, backfilling with gravel, and compacting soil as you go.
Drainage Installation : Incorporate drainage pipes and gravel to prevent water buildup behind the wall.
Finishing Touches : Add capstones and landscape the surrounding area for a polished look.
Maintenance Tips
To ensure the longevity and performance of your retaining wall, regular maintenance is essential:
Inspect for Damage : Check for any signs of movement or damage.
Clean Regularly : Remove dirt and debris to keep the wall looking its best.
Manage Vegetation : Control plant growth near the wall to prevent root damage.
In conclusion, with careful planning, proper installation, and regular maintenance, retaining walls can enhance the beauty and utility of any landscape. By following these guidelines, and by working with Best Pro Landscape, and collaborating with our expert designers, assisted by our curated lineup of suppliers, you can create a durable and attractive retaining wall that stands the test of time!