Landscaping adds color to your outdoor areas and improves the curb appeal of your home. It also offers a variety of practical advantages, especially if you include retaining walls in the design. Below, you’ll learn more about how these hardscape features work and what benefits they provide for properties.

What Are Retaining Walls?

Retaining walls are hardscape structures designed to improve the functional possibilities of outdoor areas. Typically made from stone, wood, or concrete, these walls hold the earth in place to prevent erosion or turn a steep slope into a usable piece of property. 

Components of a Retaining Wall

Retaining walls have four main components: base, backfill, drainage, and height. The base should be sturdy enough to support the wall, which is why contractors typically form it out of compacted dirt, sand, and gravel. Retaining walls also need at least 12 inches of granular backfill to act as a buffer between the wall and the earth. Additionally, they require drainage to prevent rainwater buildups from adding pressure and causing cracks. Finally, the wall should stand about three or four feet tall, which prevents the need for additional reinforcements. 

Benefits 

In addition to preventing erosion and leveling land into functional terraces, retaining walls add beauty to outdoor areas. They’re available in a wide variety of colors, materials, and design options that will enhance the look of your lawn and garden. They can be made of slabs of limestone to correspond with the modern architecture of your house. Or they can be made of timber to maintain the natural aesthetic of your backyard.

These hardscape features may also provide additional seating, steps leading up to porches and patios, and increased privacy. You can even have lights or speakers installed to enhance your outdoor area and better entertain your guests.

When you’re ready to install retaining walls, contact the team at Eliot's Landscape LLC. They offer landscaping and hardscape services to homes and businesses throughout Bulverde, TX. Call (800) 379-6079 to get started on a design for your outdoor areas and request an estimate. Visit the website to learn more about how they can improve the appearance and function of your lawn and garden.