Some properties are near perfection in their natural state. They are rich in topographic diversity, lush in beauty, and may even have gorgeous water features. Most, however, require strategic planning, careful implementation, and consistent maintenance to reach their full potential and a homeowner’s version of excellence.

Landscaping retaining walls are a tremendous example of how a professional touch can completely transform a property for the better. From streamlining elevation changes in a yard to controlling erosion, retention walls serve a variety of purposes, all of which can enhance the appearance and functionality of your landscape.

To learn more about how landscaping with walls can benefit your property, we encourage you to read on and consider reaching out to your Capital Region landscaping professional.

Discover:

How to Use Landscape Walls
The Different Types of Retaining Walls
The Benefits of Landscaping with Walls?
Choosing the Right Type of Retaining Wall
Working With a Retention Wall Expert

Landscaping with Walls: The Types, Benefits, and Uses of Retention Walls

As wonderful as natural topography can be, it can also stand in the way of your dream property and the function it needs to serve. If you want your property to be more beautiful, easier to manage, and actually usable, landscape walls are a key component in accomplishing your vision.

Like all decisions you make for your landscape design in the Capital Region and cities such as Saratoga Springs, Albany, and Clifton Park, doing your research and consulting a professional ensures that you are informed and ready to make the right choice for your property. When it comes to retention walls, this starts with understanding the different types that are available.

How to Use Landscape Walls

Dealing with Elevation in Yards

Many of the most beautiful yards you see feature very little elevation change, allowing them to be landscaped in creative ways and maintained with relative ease. From flat swaths of pristine grass to rolling hills of flowers and shrubs, such properties are inspirational and visually appealing.

Some properties are quite the opposite. They have significant elevation changes that can make building on, landscaping, and maintaining them more difficult. Landscaping with walls helps create safe, level environments where embankments are held back and tiers are established, allowing proper landscaping to take place.

Controlling Erosion with Retention Walls

One of the most potent enemies of a flawless landscape is erosion. Whether it’s rain runoff or snowmelt, erosion can wreak havoc on your property, including your plants, walkways, and even structures. Retention walls shore up vulnerable areas and direct water to the proper channels, preserving the safety, integrity, and hard-earned beauty of your Capital Region home.

Creating Functional Landscaping Spaces

While not impossible, designing and executing a cohesive landscape plan is incredibly challenging when a property features a large degree of elevation change. If you do manage to achieve a stunning landscape, maintaining it in such an environment is equally as difficult.

By using landscape walls, you can even the playing field (literally). You can also create functional spaces that might have otherwise been unusable. By reclaiming these sections of your property, you create opportunities for enhanced aesthetics and functionality.

The Different Types of Landscaping Retaining Walls

Depending on your unique property and preferences, you may need to embrace a certain type of retaining wall or choose a particular construction material. While the design and installation method should be left to an expert, the material is often up to the homeowner. Luckily, there are several options that allow you to complement your landscaping and aesthetic.

Stone Landscape Wall

For a natural look, stone landscape walls are a superb choice. Depending on your choice, they are available in different shapes and patterns, creating a visual texture that doesn’t distract or detract from the rest of your landscaping.

Whether you choose to have a stone landscape wall complement the natural elements of your landscape or stand out as a statement, opting for natural construction materials is a popular and appealing choice for many high-end properties.

Concrete Retention Wall

Best used for challenging situations thanks to their customization and strength, concrete retention walls can transform practically any landscape for the better. From shoring up hazardous sections of earth to reclaiming uneven terrain for functional outdoor spaces, concrete retention walls can be tailored specifically to your needs and goals.

Make sure you work with an expert to guarantee safety and longevity as most installations above three feet require permits.

Seating Wall

Both trendy and functional, seating walls can be added to any landscape to provide an aesthetic upgrade, serve a functional purpose, and add separation and comfort to your outdoor spaces. If you love outdoor living in the Capital Region, a seating wall can both define your space (say, an outdoor patio) and act as built-in seating. Talk about a win-win.

They are most often used to create terraced designs, reflect the heat from outdoor fireplaces, and ensure that a living space is distinct from the landscaping that surrounds it.

Curved Retaining Wall

Whether you’re working with the natural topography of your Capital Region property or creating your own nuanced design, curved retaining walls provide structure and visual intrigue. They can be used functionally to hold back the earth on the edges of a driveway, walkway, or specific landscape area, as well as ornamentally to help bring cohesion and distinction to your property.

Landscape Block Wall

While similar to natural stone retention walls, landscape block walls use manufactured blocks to form stunning retaining walls for your property. These blocks come in a variety of shapes, sizes, designs, and materials, giving you the flexibility needed to create the landscape of your dreams.

Thanks to the manufactured nature of block walls, they are made in different heights, patterns, curves, and more to fit most any situation.

The Benefits of Landscaping with Walls

If you think your property could benefit from landscape retaining walls or have been advised by a landscape professional to consider adding retention walls, the benefits will likely outweigh any doubts you have. When we say that landscaping with walls can transform your property, we aren’t exaggerating.

• Erosion prevention. Properties with elevation often suffer from serious erosion concerns. Whether it's spurred on by wind, rain, or good old gravity, sloped landscapes can lead to severe erosion that is not only unbecoming but also dangerous. Retention walls help shore up areas of weakness, preventing erosion from occurring uninhibited.
• Runoff management. Water management is essential to the longevity and safety of any landscape, and retaining walls play a major role in ensuring runoff is directed to the right places. This is especially true of heavy rains and snowmelt, both of which can flood or erode your landscape and create hazardous conditions.

• Structural support. Whether you are building a home on an incline or gardening on a hill, the structural support provided by landscaping with walls is essential. It reduces soil erosion, creates flat spaces that are ripe with potential, and helps stabilize unstable areas.
• Enhanced aesthetics. No matter what shape your landscape walls take or the materials they are constructed of, they can add a visual allure to your home. From graceful curved retaining walls to stoic stone retaining walls, your retention walls set the tone for your property and can enhance your curb appeal and boost your property value.

Choosing the Right Type of Retaining Wall for Your Capital Region Property

Thanks to the vast number of options available when it comes to landscape walls, sorting through the information and selecting the perfect type of retaining wall can be daunting. While DIY retaining walls are an option, you should consider everything from your property’s topography to the design of your other landscaping elements when taking on such a project. The best way to ensure you choose the right type of retaining wall is to work with an experienced professional.

Why You Should Work With a Retention Wall Expert

In most scenarios, it is best to turn to an expert when taking on a major landscaping project. This principle is never more true than when that project carries with it the weight of safety.

Landscaping walls serve several purposes. They can be beautiful, make sections of your property functional, and preserve your hard-earned landscaping from erosion and run-off. Because they are structural components, they can also be used to hold back earth, reclaim sections of land, and provide safe areas to build structures.

In other words, landscape retention walls are extremely technical, and many of them require proper engineering and permitting to design and install. Working with a professional, like those at Gallivan, ensures that you are doing things the right way, preserving your safety and setting your landscape up for future success.

With decades of experience, Gallivan Corporation is ready to help you achieve the landscape of your dreams. From consultation to engineering the retaining wall that your landscape needs, our team will be with you every step of the way. Simply fill out our consultation form today to discuss your project with one of our experienced experts in the Capital Region.