Retaining walls are more than just a practical way to hold back earth and manage rainwater drainage. They’re also a beautiful way to add hardscaping features to your property and draw attention to other elements of your landscape design that you want to highlight. Read on to learn about some of the most popular types of retaining walls.

Retaining Walls to Enhance Your Landscaping

1. Cantilevered

Also called a reinforced retaining wall, the cantilevered variety consists of a concrete wall that is connected to a foundation slab, forming an “L” shape. The weight of the soil on the foundation slab prevents the wall from sliding and tipping forward. For high walls that require additional strength, vertical pieces called counterforts may be added to buttress the wall and foundation.

2. Sheet Piling

If you have a limited amount of space to work with, consider a sheet pile retaining wall. These very thin walls consist of sheets of corrugated steel, vinyl, or wood that are driven directly into the sloping soil. Sheet piling retaining walls cannot withstand very high pressure, but they are relatively economical, and are fantastic choices if your property has very soft soil.

3. Gravity

Relying on its own weight to resist the lateral pressure of soil and liquids, a gravity retaining wall is a versatile choice that can be made from a variety of different materials to complement your landscape design. Concrete pavers, dry-stacked stone, and brick are among the most popular options. Taller gravity retaining walls may require a small trench to be dug for them to fit into, or a concrete footer to sit on, but shorter walls usually don’t need any extra reinforcement.

Montana Gardens offers a wide range of landscaping services for homeowners in Kalispell, Whitefish, Bigfork, Columbia Falls, and the entire Flathead Valley. Whether you’re interested in retaining walls, drainage solutions, or professional lawn care services, their team of experienced landscape contractors has the skill to make your property look great. Call (406) 250-4950 to discuss your project or visit their website to learn more about their services.