Retaining Walls

Retaining walls are structure designed to hold back or retain soil and prevents it from sliding or crumbling. They can also enhance the aesthetics of a landscape or a garden. For example, a garden retaining wall adds beauty but also function. There are different types, sizes and shapes.

Types of Retaining Walls

There are several types of retaining walls, each with its unique characteristics and construction requirements. 

Gravity Retaining Walls

A gravity retaining wall is one of the most commonly used styles of retaining wall, designed to use the weight and mass of the wall’s materials to create stability and prevent movement of soil. Generally, gravity walls are made with heavy-duty materials due to the way they are engineered to work. This means a stone retaining wall, a block retaining wall and a concrete retaining wall are all likely candidates for this style of retaining.

Cantilevered or reinforced retaining walls

A cantilevered retaining wall works slightly differently, with reinforced steel bars running through the concrete or masonry materials of the wall itself. The wall is fixed to a concrete slab underneath the soil, allowing for the weight of the soil to hold the slab in place and keeping the wall upright. 

Boundary walls and landscape walls

In many cases, a boundary wall can also be designed as a retaining wall depending on the site, allowing for the extension of usable outdoor space. Landscape walls for this purpose are often chosen based on aesthetic as well as function, with stone walls and rock walls both popular options. Reminiscent of historic walls, stone and rock offer a sense of permanence and - if local materials are used - a connection with the natural surrounds. Stone fences provide the same sense of permanence and depending on the style of dwelling can be used in conjunction with stone or rock retaining walls to create a seamless flow in the landscaping. 

Retaining wall blocks

In New Zealand, retaining walls are a common feature in residential settings and in many cases, it's possible to create them easily and quickly. The garden wall-style retaining wall is often incorporated into an overall design scheme and used as a visual and textural feature. Concrete, stone, timber retaining walls and precast options are some of the most sought after for this purpose - each offering a different design aesthetic.