Retaining Wall Design Ideas

Retaining walls can be used to achieve many goals in your outdoor living space. These walls are perfect for uneven spaces and to create structure in a landscape. Retaining walls have the potential to be quite expensive, but there are also some that are inexpensive. For example, concrete walls tend to be less expensive than rock walls.No matter what material you use, there are many ways to create interesting spaces with retaining walls. Our team can help you select the materials that will look best in your space and the retaining wall design that would work best for you. Here are some additional ideas to help get your creative juices flowing. Contact Valley Landscaping to get insight into designing a retaining wall for your Catonsville home.

Use Retaining Walls for Unleveled Surfaces

If you live on a hill or have an uneven landscape, retaining walls can help mark off areas where the gradient changes. Having several walls structured up the hillside allows you to create spaces like large steps so that you can plant flowers or gardens at each level. There is a lower chance of dirt or mud sliding down into the space with retaining walls in place, which helps keep the landscaping looking clean-cut.

Use Retaining Walls for Transitional Spaces

Another option is to use retaining walls in transitional spaces. For example, if you decide to have stairs that go from one flat area of your landscape to a higher level, you can add a retaining wall on either side to separate that space. These walls are also helpful when separating paved areas from grassy regions of the yard, which helps keep seeds, dirt, and greenery sectioned off and away from the concrete or pavers below.

What Kinds of Materials Are Used for Retaining Walls?

Retaining walls can be made of almost any material you can imagine, but there are some that work better than others. Some of the options include:

• Concrete, which is inexpensive and looks modern
• Stone veneer, which is decorative and best used when covering concrete or other vertical wall materials
• Brick, which is among the most popular material for retaining walls. It doesn't require much maintenance but can be costlier than other options
• Wood, which has a natural look but can be damaged easily without the right treatments
• Boulders, which are natural and easy to put into place. They tend to be large, though, so they do take up a lot of space
• Gabion, which is a method using rocks inside a steel or metal wire cage
• Timber, which is heavier than wood and finished so that it is less likely to rot. Timber walls are expected to last between 15 and 20 years.
• Natural stone, which is flexible and has a rustic appearance
• Limestone, which appears timeless and classic. It's fireproof, bug-resistant, impact-resistant, and weather-resistant. It's also easy to maintain and clean.

These are not the only kinds of materials used to make a retaining wall, but they are among the most popular used today. Each has its own colors and patterns, as well as positives and drawbacks, to consider.

Contact Valley Landscaping, Stone, & Patio for Help with Landscape Design

At Valley Landscaping, Stone, & Patio, we love helping homeowners and business owners create unique spaces where they can entertain guests or enjoy their own outdoor spaces. We have landscaping design services to help you select the ideal landscape walls and lighting for your yard. Contact us today at 410.983.6261 to learn more about the services we offer in Catonsville and Baltimore County. You can also read more about us on our blog, where we write about landscaping ideas and techniques that you may be interested in.