The 4 Best Retaining Walls | Which Retaining Wall is Best for You?

Retaining walls are a great addition to your yard that offers a wide range of functional and aesthetic benefits. This makes them an essential feature for many homeowners when they design their landscape. But which retaining walls should you choose? What are the best kinds of retaining walls to install? In this helpful article, we will provide you with our finest retaining wall recommendations to help you decide.

Planter Retaining Walls for Erosion Control

What are Planter Retaining Walls?

Planter retaining walls, also known as planter walls, serve multiple functions as both a planter and retaining wall. They are designed to retain soil and serve as an elevated planting space. They are also designed to retain soil and make your landscape visually appealing with their neat, dynamic appearance. They are a welcome addition to any residential or commercial landscape since they can protect your succulents and bushes from pets and foot traffic if you have a busy household.

What Are They Best Used For?

Planter walls are great for people looking to combine functionality and aesthetics into their landscaping. They can help provide elevated spaces for growing flowers, shrubs, and herbs. As a raised garden, they could even grow fruits and vegetables by protecting them from being eaten by animals like rabbits and insects. They also function as borders or dividers for patios, making your space more organized. Lastly, planter walls can accommodate your guests during outdoor activities.

Gabion Retaining Walls for Flood and Water Management

What are Gabion Retaining Walls?

Gabion retaining walls are walls that are made of wire mesh baskets that are filled with rocks, gravel, or broken concrete. These walls are mostly used for soil stabilization, erosion control, and water management. With their galvanized steel wire baskets, it can form a stable retaining structure. A Gabion wall is cost-effective and environmentally friendly since it is often made from natural or recycled materials. They are low maintenance and can withstand weathering and not sustain damage from natural causes.

Why They Benefit Your Yard

A Gabion wall can be a great addition to your yard since it provides a natural aesthetic. It can also absorb sound and function as a good noise barrier. It is worth considering if you’re looking for a retaining wall that offers a unique and visually appealing feature that will blend seamlessly into the architecture and landscape of your yard. You could even fill the wall with colorful materials like glass or ceramics, giving it a truly beautiful and distinctive look.

Concrete Retaining Walls for A Strong Structure

What are Concrete Retaining Walls?

Concrete retaining walls are sturdy structures that hold back soil, manage elevation changes, and prevent erosion. They are simply walls made of solid concrete, formed by a single mold or formwork. You can manufacture them off-site in sections, which you’ll then attach later, for speedy installation and consistent quality. You can also make them with concrete retaining wall blocks that will interlock together. This makes installing and integrating a drainage system easy to prevent water buildup.

Why They’re a Great Choice

They are resistant to pests, fire, rot, and weathering if properly maintained. They can come in many shapes, sizes, textures, and colors to match your landscaping design. They are low maintenance and require very little upkeep after they’re installed. Lastly, you can create terraces or flat spaces with these walls on sloped land to create a garden or install a patio. So, concrete is a good choice if you want a strong wall that can effectively manage your terrain.

Timber Retaining Walls for a Cost-Effective Project

What are Timber Retaining Walls?

Timber retaining walls are made of wood, primarily timber. Hence their namesake. They are designed to hold back soil, specifically on slopes are hillsides. They are mostly used in landscaping and construction for their natural appearance and ease of installation. They can be built using other types of wood, like pine or hardwood. Timber, pine, and hardwood are woods that can resist rot, pests, and decay. The board (or logs) are secured by vertical posts firmly embedded into the round. You can also incorporate drainage systems. As long as they are under 4 feet tall and made of high-quality materials like hardwoods or pressure-treated timber, you can expect them to last roughly 10-20 years.

Unique Benefits They Bring

Timber walls are known for their versatility and for providing a natural, rustic look to any landscape they’re installed in. They are very easy to construct and install and cost-effective to build. This could be a great option if you love to do DIY projects for your yard. Lastly, they can help stabilize soil on sloped terrains. Just keep in mind that they do need proper maintenance to avoid structural failure over time due to natural weathering, depending on your local climate.

Conclusion

Now that you know the options for retaining walls, you can decide which option is best for your yard. However, not all retaining walls are as easy to install as timber. If you go with a professional, they can make the process faster and more streamlined. If you’re interested in getting the functional, beautiful yard you deserve, Insignia Landscape is an expert you can trust! With our landscaping knowledge, experience, and creativity, we’ll be able to build retaining walls that are meant to last! You can Contact Us for a free quote to find the best options available.