Building Materials for Retaining Walls

Natural Stone

• Natural stone retaining walls contain large pieces of cut rock to provide a natural look to your retaining wall. Aside from the benefit of a natural look, stone retaining walls are designed to drain water naturally, keeping pressure from building up around the wall. Popular types of stone used for retaining walls include granite, limestone, flagstone and sandstone. Constructing a retaining wall from natural stone is much like putting together a puzzle. Instead of using an adhesive or mortar to connect the stones, you fit the pieces together, placing small chips of rocks in spaces where extra support is needed.

Timber

• Wood timber retaining walls blend into a natural landscape, particularly if you live in a home with a wooded lot or large, lush green plants. If you choose to build a retaining wall using timber, choose a pressure-treated wood that will last for multiple years without retaining moisture, attracting termites or rotting. Walls made from timber are sturdy because the pieces of timber are connected with special screws designed for pressure-treated wood and anchors to keep the wall upright. Because timber only comes in longer and straight segments, it does not work well for curved walls. Timber does not provide natural draining, so you must also add a pipe or other drainage mechanism before installing the wall.

Brick

• Brick provides a strong, durable and fire-resistant material for a retaining wall. It also offers a classic look. Most home improvement stores, garden centers and landscaping companies sell both natural clay and concrete bricks in a variety of colors and textures. Mortar is used to hold the bricks together and stabilize the wall although it takes careful attention to detail to make sure the bricks are lined up in the appropriate pattern and the mortar is applied evenly. Like timber, bricks do not drain naturally, so you must include a pipe or other drainage system when building a brick retaining wall.

Concrete

• Concrete retaining walls typically come in three types: poured concrete, precast concrete and concrete blocks. A concrete block wall works similarly to a brick retaining wall, but pieces may be designed to interlock instead of solely relying on mortar or adhesive to hold them together. Poured concrete walls use a specially designed form to make the basic size and design of the wall; then, when the form is removed, the concrete is stained to the desired color. Precast concrete walls are pre-built and installed in your yard; they are ideal for larger retaining walls.

Choosing Materials

• In addition to choosing a material that will fit with the overall design and color scheme of your home and landscaping, you must take into account the size of the wall and any local building regulations. Natural stone and timber are typically used for retaining walls under five feet tall. Some homeowners' associations dictate what materials you may use for a retaining wall. Many local building codes have stipulations about how high a self-made retaining wall may be or whether you must hire a professional to build the wall. The type of professional you hire could determine the type of material you choose.