Retaining Walls & Concrete Masonry
Control erosion, create usable space, and add structure to your landscape with professionally built retaining walls.
Why Install a Retaining Wall
Retaining walls solve real problems while improving how your property looks and functions. If you have sloped land, erosion issues, or want to create level areas in a hilly yard, a retaining wall might be exactly what you need.
The primary purpose of any retaining wall is to hold back soil and manage grade changes. This prevents erosion that would otherwise wash away topsoil and damage your landscaping. Walls also let you create flat, usable spaces on sloped property. That hillside that's too steep for a patio becomes perfectly level behind a retaining wall.
In Crown Point, we also see retaining walls used to protect structures from soil pressure, create terraced gardens, define property boundaries, and add visual interest to flat yards. A well-designed wall becomes a landscape feature that adds value and character to your property. The key is building it right so it actually holds up to the forces working against it.
Types of Retaining Walls
We build several types of retaining walls depending on your needs, budget, and aesthetic preferences:
- Concrete block walls using modular masonry units
- Poured concrete walls with formed or board-formed finishes
- Natural stone veneer over concrete cores
- Segmental retaining wall blocks with interlock systems
- Boulder walls for rustic, natural appearances
Each type has different characteristics. Segmental block walls are versatile and relatively economical for walls up to 4 feet high. Poured concrete offers maximum strength for taller walls or high-load situations. Natural stone provides a premium look but costs more. We'll help you choose the right type based on how much soil you need to retain, your budget, and the look you want.
Engineering and Installation
A retaining wall isn't just stacked blocks or poured concrete. It's an engineered system that must resist tremendous pressure from the soil behind it. Water adds weight, frost creates expansion, and gravity constantly pulls downward. Walls that aren't designed and built properly will fail, sometimes catastrophically.
Professional installation starts with proper footing depth and width. The footing must be below frost line and sized to support the wall's weight plus the load from retained soil. We compact the base thoroughly and use crushed stone for drainage. The wall itself needs to be built plumb and level with proper batter (backward lean) to counteract soil pressure.
Drainage is absolutely critical. We install drainage systems behind retaining walls to prevent water buildup that would increase pressure and cause failure. This typically includes drainage gravel, perforated pipe, and sometimes drain outlets. Just like our work on foundations and slabs, proper drainage makes all the difference in long-term performance.
Design Options
Modern retaining wall materials offer impressive design flexibility. Concrete blocks come in various colors, textures, and sizes to match different architectural styles. You can create straight walls, curved walls, tiered walls with multiple levels, or walls with integrated steps and seating areas.
Wall caps add a finished look and protect the wall from water infiltration. Lighting can be integrated for safety and dramatic nighttime appearance. Planting pockets allow vegetation to soften the wall's appearance. Some homeowners extend their retaining wall design to include matching walkways and borders that tie the landscape together.
When you work with Built4You Crown Point Concrete, we consider both function and aesthetics. Your wall needs to do its job holding back soil, but there's no reason it can't look great while doing it. We'll show you options that fit your property's style and your budget.