Retaining walls are solid structures designed to prevent soil erosion and hold land back when there is a drastic change in elevation. They help to stabilize the land and can prevent mudslides and home foundation shifts. (Think of basement walls, they act as retaining walls.) Most any home improvement will increase your home’s value, but a retaining wall that serves to stabilize the home (as well as provide usable outdoor space) adds square footage to your home’s living space.
There are variations in retaining walls that can be used, depending on the mass/weight that they will be required to hold back. Gravity, cantilevered, sheet piling and anchored are all types of retaining walls that are used to address different requirements.
Generally speaking, this is one project that requires an expert to help you determine the height needed for your project, formulas to use, and knowledge of local town permit requirements.
For those who struggle with sloping backyards or hillside property, landscape design can be especially challenging. Garden ideas can be limited when addressing steep declines or inclines in back or front yards. Homeowners, who yearn for flower beds or an outdoor living space, turn to retaining walls for the answer.
A well thought out retaining wall should be anything but boring and should add beauty and interest to your home. Multi-level patios allow homeowners to create outdoor “rooms”.