Advanced Retaining Wall Ideas

In our previous blog we discussed stone and brick retaining walls that increased strength as well as beauty. In this blog we will present even greater aesthetic options that provide more stability and staying power. You will use the same essential Construction Equipment including a Seymour solid cast iron tamper and Seymour’s 6 cubic foot wheel barrow as highlighted in our tools section. In addition, you may want to purchase protective head gear such as a hard hat. We have an extensive hard hat line by Kimberly Clark and Jackson Safety, among others.

Advanced Retaining Wall Ideas

Besides the construction equipment mentioned above, you will also need to procure retaining wall designs or, if proficient, design them yourself. When designing it yourself, a critical strengthening quality will incorporate slanting the wall. A slightly slanted wall provides greater reinforcement. This is true whether it is a straight, curved, or tiered wall.

• • The Flush Design: The flush retaining wall is the simple design discussed in our previous blog. It uses special retaining wall bricks available in a variety of colors and styles, some possessing tabs for easy brick alignment. When increasing wall strength, just remember to construct your wall at a slant for greater reinforcement.

• • The Flange Design: The flange retaining wall is an adaptation of the flush design above. All design and placement characteristics remain the same with exception of the top row. The top row will include larger bricks, creating a dramatic or decorative effect. You may want to use contrasting colored brick or add flower beds or shrubs to set off the arrangement.

• • The Stair Design: Whether curved or straight, stairs can offer special appeal as an architectural feature in any landscape. They can be placed at the end of a retaining wall or placed in the middle, providing a contrasting visual appeal in the yard. If you add stairs in an area that is frequently used, we also recommend installing lights and possibly some railing for safety.

• • The Multi-Tiered Design: The granddaddy of brick or stone retaining walls, the multi-tiered design provides an effective barrier for larger hillside or slope conditions. They are typically terraced creating an overlarge “step-looking” effect with earth leveled off in between each layer. The most common number of levels is two or three, depending on land mass. The multi-tiered design provides an additional aesthetic advantage in that there is soil space to plant colorful flowers and decorative shrubs between each tier.

• • The Concrete Wall Design: For a non-brick wall, you may want to consider the poured concrete design that also holds back large amounts of earth. Providing an effective drainage system is essential in this design and, depending on how much earth is behind it, reinforcing perpendicular railroad ties or wood beams may be required. Finally, the concrete wall design can look just as attractive as any brick wall by adding stucco or colorful paint for artistic affect.