If you have a hill or slope on your property, it is likely that you need a retaining wall to keep the ground from eroding. Retaining walls hold the earth on one side of the wall, which allows for a lower level to be built on the other side of the wall. These walls help take an unusable piece of land and transform it into a functional and even beautiful space.
Retaining walls are not a new structure. People have been building them from wood, stone, and even concrete for ages. In more recent times, upgrades have been made to the retaining wall construction that makes them more aesthetically pleasing. Today’s retaining walls can be beautiful and serve an important, practical purpose.
There is no shortage of designs retaining walls. If you would like to add a retaining wall to your property, check out these 11 designs below for some truly incredible inspiration.
1.) Decorative Block Work
Decorative block retaining walls are typically built using concrete or stone. These walls are crafted with precision that makes the finished wall look like something out of the future. The repetitive design makes the perfect backdrop for beautiful landscape displays. Decorative block walls work well on both a large and small scale, making them as versatile as it is polished.
2.) Patchwork Stone
If you want to add a little more color to your retaining wall, then patchwork stone walls are an excellent choice. First, a few colors of stone that work well with the landscape are selected for the wall. Next, they are placed arbitrarily during the construction of the wall, rather than in a specific pattern. Using bricks with a slightly rounded edge can also add a touch of rustic coziness to the display.
3.) Irregular Flagstone
Irregular flagstone retaining walls are fairly popular. They feature a selection of stones of irregular shapes and sizes, though they are typically all flat. These stones are placed in such a way that leaves the top of the wall flat and even, with all the stones fitting together like a puzzle underneath.
Many DIY-enthusiasts use this type of retaining wall and construct it without any mortar to hold it all together. While this can be a fun home project, it is always better to have a professional like the ones at Masonworks, LLC builds a retaining wall on a property. Masonworks LLC builds high-quality custom retaining walls that are functional, long-lasting, and beautiful.
4.) Sturdy Wood Fence
When an ornate, expensive stone wall is not the best option, a wood fence retaining wall may be a better one. Wood fence retaining walls are cost-effective and can even be beautiful in a rustic, farm-type setting. This kind of retaining wall should be installed by a professional, as it will quickly give way under the weight of the earth if it is not built sturdy enough.
5.) Integrated Staircase Wall
Adding a staircase to a retaining wall is an excellent way to add a layer of functionality to the design. The staircase allows the other levels of the retaining wall to be easily accessed, whether it is purely decorative or built-in as a functional part of a walkway.
6.) Tiered Terrace Wall
If you have a slope on your property that you would like to turn into an attractive entertainment space, then a tiered terrace wall may be the perfect design. This type of wall has shorter “steps” that lead downward rather than one large wall. These steps can be created with enough space on each tier to have plants and other landscape features installed for a truly enchanting effect.
7.) Sandstone
Another beautiful retaining wall option is a sandstone block wall. These pale stone walls typically feature an even, measured pattern that gives off a modern but worldly vibe. Sandstone bricks are incredibly durable, but they do come with a price tag that matches their beauty and strength. However, if you want to invest in a wall that offers longevity and attractiveness, this is the perfect option.
8.) Gabion
Gabion retaining walls are a very utilitarian way to build a retaining wall. These walls are typically built using a wire cage or structure that is filled with various stones. These are often the type of retaining wall you would see on a military base, but the edgy and industrial style of this type of wall has also caught on with homeowners.
9.) Mosaic Stone
Mosaic stone retaining walls are often the centerpiece of a landscape display. They are masterfully constructed with an array of stones in various pastel shades. These stones can help add rich color to a landscape without needing to add an array of flowers. If you love a colorful landscape but are not particularly adept at gardening, this type of wall may be a perfect choice.
10.) Brick Wall
Brick retaining walls are a traditional but timeless design that can be made to fit the aesthetic of any property. This type of wall is clean, classic, and can be built using natural stone colors or painted bricks. Bricks are cost-effective, durable, and easier to work with than many of the other stone and concrete wall materials.
11.) Concrete Cylinders
If you are a fan of ultra-industrial design, then concrete cylinders are a great option for a retaining wall. As the name suggests, this wall is built using concrete cylinders stacked next to each other to form a wall. This architecturally unique retaining wall can be a simple and understated backdrop to a more conventionally attractive landscape display or it can be purely functional. Either way, concrete cylinders are incredibly durable, so this wall will last a long time.
Interested in a Beautiful Retaining Wall? Call Us Now!
The types of retaining walls you can have on your property are nearly endless. Which one works best for you depends on your personal tastes and the land where it will be installed.
It is always best to consult a professional when considering a retaining wall, so you can be sure it is both functional and long-lasting. The professionals at Masonworks, LLC are masters at creating beautiful custom retaining walls, so call us today to find out what we can do for you.