Out-of-the-Box Retaining Wall Ideas
Go beyond railroad sleepers with stacked stone, wire mesh and poured concrete
When I first started working behind-the-scenes on home improvement TV shows in 2003, I was shocked at how much a good retaining wall could cost – mainly for the labour and skill involved. Because I grew up in South Florida, USA, the flattest and most humid peninsula ever, retaining walls were kinda new to me.
Now an Atlantan, I tend to see the same type of retaining wall again and again: 20 x 20-centimetre railroad timbers stacked about 120 centimetres high with pine straw at the crest. There are so many other options out there to make your retaining wall a bit more personal. Take a gander at these fantastic ideas, then think about your own retaining wall before running out to snatch those railroad sleepers again.
Now an Atlantan, I tend to see the same type of retaining wall again and again: 20 x 20-centimetre railroad timbers stacked about 120 centimetres high with pine straw at the crest. There are so many other options out there to make your retaining wall a bit more personal. Take a gander at these fantastic ideas, then think about your own retaining wall before running out to snatch those railroad sleepers again.
Gabion-basket walls
First up, the gabion wall: natural stone piled up and held together with wire, much like a basket. It’s unexpected and packs both an industrial and natural look. Here’s a materials secret: builders often fill the centre with something inexpensive, sturdy and heavy, taking up a tonne of space for less cost. Then higher-quality stone can be poured into the outer parts of the gabion-basket wall that we can actually see.
First up, the gabion wall: natural stone piled up and held together with wire, much like a basket. It’s unexpected and packs both an industrial and natural look. Here’s a materials secret: builders often fill the centre with something inexpensive, sturdy and heavy, taking up a tonne of space for less cost. Then higher-quality stone can be poured into the outer parts of the gabion-basket wall that we can actually see.
Sometimes just a little bit of texture is all it takes. Rust-ridden sheet metal not only contains your planting beds, but its appearance will change over time. The patina will continue to change the longer it’s exposed to the elements.
Find a local landscape architect or designer on Houzz to create your garden’s hardscaping and planting plan
Find a local landscape architect or designer on Houzz to create your garden’s hardscaping and planting plan
Off-form concrete
Poured concrete or off-form concrete is simple, sleek and surprisingly sophisticated. Did you ever wonder exactly how this is made? Perhaps you thought a huge truck schlepped each piece over, then champion landscapers unloaded them one at a time? Nope!
Poured concrete is all about moulds and forms. Usually, plywood forms are set up and secured in place. Then the concrete is poured between the pieces. After it sets and dries, the forms are removed, a craftsperson adds some finishing touches with acid stain and/or sealer, and voila – you have modern retaining walls.
Poured concrete or off-form concrete is simple, sleek and surprisingly sophisticated. Did you ever wonder exactly how this is made? Perhaps you thought a huge truck schlepped each piece over, then champion landscapers unloaded them one at a time? Nope!
Poured concrete is all about moulds and forms. Usually, plywood forms are set up and secured in place. Then the concrete is poured between the pieces. After it sets and dries, the forms are removed, a craftsperson adds some finishing touches with acid stain and/or sealer, and voila – you have modern retaining walls.
Here’s something you may or may not have come across: timber-look concrete. How does it get that wood-plank appearance? It’s all about the form, my friends.
When the mould or formwork is created, a builder or landscaper can opt for rugged timber planks instead of super-smooth panels. As the concrete dries against the rough textures of the wood planks, they leave impressions of the timber grain on the surface of the concrete, which gives an entirely different dimension to what would have otherwise been a flat plain surface.
Outdoor Surfacing Ideas With a Difference
When the mould or formwork is created, a builder or landscaper can opt for rugged timber planks instead of super-smooth panels. As the concrete dries against the rough textures of the wood planks, they leave impressions of the timber grain on the surface of the concrete, which gives an entirely different dimension to what would have otherwise been a flat plain surface.
Outdoor Surfacing Ideas With a Difference
Concrete blocks
Stacked concrete blocks can create a linear, mid-century look; however, it doesn’t work with standard, building-grade concrete blocks. In this case, each block contains an aggregate of pebbles, which achieves a slightly organic aesthetic. Once stacked, the blocks’ colour and mortar between takes it to the next level.
These are also easy to work with. Many aggregate blocks come in ultra-lightweight forms and are readily available in light- and dark-grey finishes.
Get the Expert Lowdown on Retaining Walls
Stacked concrete blocks can create a linear, mid-century look; however, it doesn’t work with standard, building-grade concrete blocks. In this case, each block contains an aggregate of pebbles, which achieves a slightly organic aesthetic. Once stacked, the blocks’ colour and mortar between takes it to the next level.
These are also easy to work with. Many aggregate blocks come in ultra-lightweight forms and are readily available in light- and dark-grey finishes.
Get the Expert Lowdown on Retaining Walls
Stacked stone
Although stacked stone can have a wildly expensive look, it can be rather affordable. For most newer stacked-stone walls, each piece is simply a thin, 2.5-centimetre veneer that is usually stocked in a 15 x 30-centimetre size.
In order to install it as a retaining wall, a builder first constructs the structure from either pressure-treated plywood or poured concrete. The stacked-stone veneer acts simply as a facade.
One thing that definitely drives up cost is mitred corners. This involves hundreds of cuts with a wet saw, which takes a lot longer than simply, stacking, staggering and adding mortar, and in turn drives up your labour costs.
Although stacked stone can have a wildly expensive look, it can be rather affordable. For most newer stacked-stone walls, each piece is simply a thin, 2.5-centimetre veneer that is usually stocked in a 15 x 30-centimetre size.
In order to install it as a retaining wall, a builder first constructs the structure from either pressure-treated plywood or poured concrete. The stacked-stone veneer acts simply as a facade.
One thing that definitely drives up cost is mitred corners. This involves hundreds of cuts with a wet saw, which takes a lot longer than simply, stacking, staggering and adding mortar, and in turn drives up your labour costs.
Timber
If you’re a big lover of natural timber, here’s a modern approach. Five-centimetre thick timber-panelled boxes can contain your raised planting beds, add warmth and also have somewhat of a furniture-like look. The only real drawback is upkeep: you’ll probably need to restain and reseal the timber twice a year.
If you’re a big lover of natural timber, here’s a modern approach. Five-centimetre thick timber-panelled boxes can contain your raised planting beds, add warmth and also have somewhat of a furniture-like look. The only real drawback is upkeep: you’ll probably need to restain and reseal the timber twice a year.
Your turn
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More
Ready to find a good landscape architect or designer to tackle the next step and build those retaining walls? Read this first – 5 Steps to Finding the Right Landscape Designer for Your Home
If you found this story helpful, like it, bookmark it, save the photos and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation.
More
Ready to find a good landscape architect or designer to tackle the next step and build those retaining walls? Read this first – 5 Steps to Finding the Right Landscape Designer for Your Home
Comments (26)
See 23 more comments
maggierateye
2 years ago
Brenda Gardener
2 years ago
Serious retaining walls call for engineering know how and where I live the local sandstone is the best material. All stone was carried down dreadful old steps by hand, impressive workmanship.
SBPthatisME