The cheapest types of retaining walls are ones made of wood and concrete blocks. It is the cost of the material that makes building one inexpensive or expensive..
Table of Contents
Which retaining wall block is best?
Retaining Wall Materials Comparison Chart
| TYPE OF MATERIAL | PROS |
|---|---|
| Poured Concrete | Stronger than a block wall Variety of design options |
| Brick | Strong and durable |
| Wood | Accessible materials Fairly simple installation |
| Dry Stone/Boulder | The most natural solution to grade change |
What is the longest lasting retaining wall?
Concrete and Masonry Retaining Walls
Poured concrete is the strongest and most durable choice for retaining walls. It may also be carved and formed to look like mortared stone depending on your taste.
What can I use instead of a retaining wall?
The most common retaining wall alternatives are:
- Natural stone or brick walls.
- Wooden timbers.
- Gabion walls.
- Precast concrete.
- Hedges and natural trimming.
- Bioengineered soil walls.
- Natural Borders, Stones, and Mulch.
How thick should a retaining wall be?
Base thickness = 1/8 of the height of the wall but not less than 12 inches. Stem thickness = 6 inches + ¼ inch for each foot of wall height.
Do I need weep holes in retaining wall?
Install (or Add) Weep Holes
They protect the structural integrity by allowing underground water to seep through, preventing pressure build-up. Every retaining wall should have them.
How do you prepare the ground for a retaining wall block?
Should you use fabric behind retaining wall?
You should use landscape fabric behind a retaining wall because the fabric supports the bricks, wood, or other materials that make the wall. Wet soil can push against a retaining wall, weakening it. By placing a strip of landscape fabric under the soil, the wall won’t have as much pressure on it.
WHY DO retaining walls fail? The main cause of retaining wall failure is poor drainage. Without proper drainage, hydrostatic pressure builds up behind the retaining wall. Saturated soil is substantially heavier than dry soil, and the retaining wall may not be designed to handle such a load.
What is the most inexpensive retaining wall?
The cheapest type of retaining wall is poured concrete. Prices start at $4.30 per square foot for poured concrete, $5.65 for interlocking concrete block, $6.15 for pressure-treated pine, and about $11 for stone.
What material goes behind a retaining wall?
Backfill the wall with gravel or sand. If you use sand, first cover the backside of the retaining wall with landscape fabric. This will keep the sand from seeping between the blocks. If you’re backfilling with gravel, you can pour the gravel after every course you lay.
Do I need to glue my retaining wall blocks?
While glue is not always necessary when building retaining walls, in most cases, it will help keep your wall standing for longer. There is a slew of blocks that can be used in building retaining walls. Some interlock, eliminating the need for masonry adhesives.
How do you build a low cost retaining wall?
The cheapest types of retaining walls are wood and concrete blocks, followed by concrete and stones or bricks. Each material has benefits and drawbacks, including strength, longevity, and attractiveness. For those who are planning on building their own retaining wall, it is vital to plan and research.
Do I need drainage behind retaining wall?
Every retaining wall should include drainage stone behind the wall. Though it is a good idea to install a drainage pipe on all walls, there are certain situations where a perforated drain pipe is absolutely necessary.
Can you build a retaining wall yourself? Anyone with a strong back can stack up a bunch of blocks and build a pretty stone retaining wall. But it takes skill and planning to construct an attractive wall that can also handle immense pressure, shrug off the forces of gravity, stand for decades and laugh in the face of Mother Nature.
How do you landscape a steep slope without retaining walls?
Landscaping on Slopes
- Stabilize With Plants & Trees. A smart way to stabilize the soil on a hill is by planting shrubs, trees, and flowers.
- Install Stairs or a Path. If your slope is not too steep, installing a stone path or stairs in your landscape can be a good option.
- Build Up Tiers of Walls.
- Build a Deck.
How do you lay a retaining wall block on a slope?
How deep should retaining wall blocks be?
The general rule of thumb is to bury about one-eighth of the height of the wall. For example, if your wall will be three feet (36 inches) tall, the first course of blocks should start five inches below soil level. The gravel base should start three inches below this.
How do you build a retaining wall on a sloped yard?
Steps to Follow When Building a Retaining Wall on a Slope
- Step #1: Get the Trench Compact and Level.
- Step #2: Install the Wall Rock.
- Step #3: Excavate the Second Level.
- Step #4: Place the Base Course of Blocks.
- Step #5: Compact the Wall Rock Behind the Blocks.
- Step #6: Fill in the Step Up Areas.
Do I need to glue retaining wall blocks?
While glue is not always necessary when building retaining walls, in most cases, it will help keep your wall standing for longer. There is a slew of blocks that can be used in building retaining walls. Some interlock, eliminating the need for masonry adhesives.
How deep do foundations need to be for a retaining wall?
Footing dimensions
| Type of wall | Wall height | Depth of concrete |
|---|---|---|
| Single-skin | Up to 1m | 300mm |
| Double-skin | Up to 1m | 150mm |
| Double-skin | Over 1m, up to 2m | 375-450mm |
| Retaining wall | Up to 1m | 150mm-300mm |
How close to the boundary can I build a retaining wall?
There must be a minimum distance of 900mm from each boundary, the wall must be at minimum of 1m from a registered easement or sewer/water main.
How deep do post holes need to be for a retaining wall?
Step 3: Digging
Dig a footing depth of roughly the same height as the retaining wall. For post holes, dig holes with a 450mm diameter at the same depth with a 100mm minimum concrete cover below the post.
Do you have to put drainage behind a retaining wall?
Every retaining wall should include drainage stone behind the wall. Though it is a good idea to install a drainage pipe on all walls, there are certain situations where a perforated drain pipe is absolutely necessary.
Should I put landscape fabric under retaining wall? You should use landscape fabric behind a retaining wall because the fabric supports the bricks, wood, or other materials that make the wall. Wet soil can push against a retaining wall, weakening it. By placing a strip of landscape fabric under the soil, the wall won’t have as much pressure on it.
How do you lay blocks on uneven ground?
How to Lay Landscaping Blocks on a Slope
- Use String and Stakes to Mark the Location.
- Measure the Blocks.
- Compact the Base.
- Add Crushed Gravel.
- Lay the First Set of Blocks.
- Dig the Trench Up the Slope.
- Check for Levelness.
- Add Another Set of Blocks.
Why do retaining wall blocks have a Lip? A lip on the back of each block creates a uniform setback as each course is added. This design causes the wall to angle slightly back into the slope, further improving its holding power.
How do you secure a retaining wall block?