Functional and Decorative.

Retaining walls stabilize a slope and protect planted areas from erosion, but they can be used to do much more. Walls can create pathways, group plants and gardens, add depth and texture to completely change the shape and feel of an environment, even create outdoor "rooms."

You can choose from many types of retaining walls, including poured concrete, conventional stacked blocks, and stackable decorative blocks that need no mortar.

Manufactured blocks and glass/concrete facade elements are now available in a growing array of colors and textures made to resemble just about anything, from wood to stacked slate.

The spectrum of architectural wall materials available is enormous. Natural stone remains a popular and stable retaining wall material, while redwood, pressure treated wood and used rail ties can add rustic charm to your dream landscape project. We do not use any woods that contain Creosote!Creosote is registered as a fungicide, insecticide, and repellent. It is used as a wood preservative to prevent fungal and insect damage to wood products. It is also applied as a paint or as a pressure treatment. Creosote is bad for our environment!

Conventional Block Walls
Manufactured concrete masonry blocks have stood the test of time as a core building material for retaining walls. We know they’re solid and stable, plus they need little or no maintenance. Pre-cast blocks are available in a variety of widths to support any height of wall, even multi-story.

Each landscape site has different needs, different soils and slopes. Metro GreenScape can help you choose the style that is right for you, then create the perfect retaining wall system for your dream garden.

Mortarless and Dry-stacked Concrete
The basic building blocks in engineered retaining wall systems, mortarless and dry-stacked concrete blocks are rapidly becoming the wall system of choice among landscapers, because they simplify and speed the building process. Generally installed professionally, mortarless dry-stacked blocks are made to fit together perfectly without cement grout, using a system of horizontal and vertical interlocking tabs. Because the blocks self-align, the fit is arrow-straight and level.

Dry stacked block walls can be built rapidly, usually in a quarter of the time required by conventional blocks. Because stackable blocks are not reinforced, however, they are best suited for walls under five feet in height.

Mortarless stackables usually offer more tones and textures than conventional blocks; they’re larger, heavier and cost more, but one advantage is that they can be disassembled and moved. That’s important if you want to move a wall to install a whirlpool later, because it saves you from having to bring in a demolition team.

Mortarless blocks were designed to simulate hard-to-align natural stones, allowing us to offer more design options. Their modular construction includes separate curved shapes, capstones, pavers, corners and trim embellishments. These blocks often feature irregular sizes that are made to interlock as a unit, giving the feel of random natural stonework. Faux brick, slate and stone themes are available. Plus, most concrete block manufacturers offer both mortarless blocks and pavers in the same designs and colors, so you can have walkways that match your landscape retaining walls.

Wooden Retaining Walls
One of the beauties of wood is that it is easy to use. Wood retaining walls lend a warm organic look to your landscape design, at a relatively low cost. We do not use any woods that contain Creosote!Creosote is registered as a fungicide, insecticide, and repellent. It is used as a wood preservative to prevent fungal and insect damage to wood products. It is also applied as a paint or as a pressure treatment. Creosote is bad for our environment!

There are two basic types of lumber used for walls, but to understand them, one must first consider that wood is an organic material subject to moisture, rot and termite attack where the wood comes into contact with soil that is naturally damp and a source of bacteria. This means that plain lumber is not a good choice, unless a wall is to be temporary. Your best bet will be one of three materials, redwood, pressure treated, and used rail ties.

Pressure-treated lumber also is excellent for retaining wall construction because of its strength and hardness. Mills start with a hard, strong construction grade wood like Douglas fir, and then preservative chemicals are injected under pressure to limit the effects of insect and rot damage. Copper and arsenic compounds have been used in the past, but the Environmental Protection Agency recently banned them. A new chemical compound, known as ACQ reduces risks. The EPA says there is no need to worry about existing retaining walls, because there is no evidence that pressure treated lumber poses any significant risk.

Keep in mind that pressure treatment doesn’t extend all the way through the wood. When pressure treated boards are sawn, entry points are created for rot and insects to take hold. Pressure-treated wood walls must be properly constructed to prevent contact with soil and water. Even though pressure treated wood is slightly more expensive than redwood, walls can last longer, making these more economical to build.

Rail ties are incredibly versatile, and the fact that you are recycling them is a bonus. Rich, dark and seasoned, you can stack them, make walkways, driveways and step-side planters, knowing these will hold up for years. Rail ties may run about the same cost as bricks or blocks, but construction labor savings will make them more economical in the long run.

Our professional landscape designer will work with you to help you select the right materials for designing and building your retaining wall.