The Homeowner’s Guide to Retaining Walls

A retaining wall, or a wall that is used to hold earth in place, is something that a lot of homeowners may need to use around their yard. However, a lot of people might not know everything they should before installing such a crucial structure. Here is some important information that every homeowner should know about retaining walls and how to choose the right material for your wall.

Where to Build

If you want to use the wall as just a decorative piece, then it can typically be used wherever you feel it will look nice. If you have a sloping yard, retaining walls are great to help level the yard to make is a little more usable. Also, if you have an area in your yard that is in danger of erosion, the wall can help hold everything in place, so it shouldn’t deteriorate further. Understanding what the wall will be used for is an important first step in building your wall.

What Material to Use

There are a lot of different materials that can be used in building your wall. If you want to go with a natural look, using stone or small boulders might be the right material for you. There is a wide variety of colors and textures available in natural stone, so it can be easy to customize to the exact look you want. Another option is wood. Using logs or railway ties can give a rustic look, but because wood will naturally decay it’s important to use treated wood that should last longer. Finally, you may want to use brick or concrete to create your wall. These types of materials can be used to build a wall with a unique and intricate design that other materials can’t provide. 

However you want to utilize retaining walls in your yard, they can make a beautiful addition to your landscaping and provide a variety of uses that many homeowners enjoy.