Retaining walls are often necessary in yards with steep slopes, as they help prevent erosion and protect your plants. Even water runoff is assisted with retaining walls, allowing you to keep the landscaping and hardscaping of your sloped yard intact over time. While the functionality of retaining walls is apparent, they can still be an eyesore if not implemented correctly.
Homeowners want to make their homes look as appealing as possible to increase their value, so a retaining wall must be handled correctly. Choosing the suitable material for a retaining wall is essential to keep your retaining wall functional and match the overall look of your yard, including garden design, greenery, and more. At Batchelder & Collins, we will work with you to discover retaining wall ideas for a sloped backyard and provide all the high-quality supplies needed to get the job done right.
What is a Retaining Wall?
A retaining wall is a hardscape structure that is used to hold soil in place in backyards and other sloped areas. With a retaining wall, the sloped area can become a flat space. It can be used for various applications, from garden beds and greenery to patio space, water features, fire pits, and other backyard ideas. Retaining walls help transform a sloped area into usable space for entertainment or recreation. Typically, retaining walls are recommended for yards with more than a 50 percent slope simply to prevent erosion and other related problems.
Building a Retaining Wall on a Slope
Retaining walls are incredibly useful for sloped land areas, but hillside landscaping and hardscaping can be challenging. The following steps can help you maximize your efforts and build a retaining wall that will function properly for years.
1. Determine Height and Length
The proper size of any retaining wall depends on various important factors. You will need to consider the overall size of the yard in addition to the degree of the slope itself. Additionally, you must consider what kind of drainage your yard has for water. How you plan to use the wall and its overall purpose plays a role, too. For example, a wall used to create a recreational area will be different from a wall designed simply to prevent erosion. Our team can help you determine what supplies you need for your ideal wall’s stability and strength.
2. Research Local Codes and Regulations in Hampton Roads
The Hampton Roads area has essential regulations to consider before making profound home improvement changes, like installing a retaining wall. There may even be areas within Hampton Roads with unique rules, so make sure you comply with local laws before moving forward with any kind of front or backyard design. You can see the specific Virginia laws here, which instill a mandatory safety factor of 1.5 against lateral sliding, among other regulations.
3. Choose the Right Material
The overall strength and durability of your retaining wall are going to be highly dependent on which material you opt for. Additionally, the kind of material you use will have a massive impact on the overall cost of the project. Try to find a material that offers the quality you need without breaking the bank. Of course, our team can help find the right solution and supply the material you need for your retaining wall and overall outdoor area.
Some of the most common retaining wall materials are the following:
Don’t hesitate to contact Batchelder & Collins for help determining which material would work best for your retaining wall.
What is the Most Cost-Effective Way to Build a Retaining Wall?
There is no universal answer to the most cost-effective way to build a retaining wall, but you must always consider the same factors when determining the most cost-effective option for your unique needs.
Type of Material You Use
The type of material you use for a retaining wall will heavily affect the price. These materials are used for retaining walls and are listed from cheapest to most expensive.
DIY Retaining Wall
Labor costs add up quickly when building a retaining wall, so you can save significantly by doing it yourself. While hiring professionals is generally the safest route, you can handle it independently with the proper research and preparation. Remember that an improper installation can lead to severe and expensive problems. If you can do it, make sure you’re prepared before proceeding. However, if you have doubts, leave it to the professionals. Just make sure to integrate that into your budget.
DIY Drainage Solutions
A draining system underneath a retaining wall can be beneficial, but installing one is expensive. Fortunately, there are ways to minimize those costs by using efficient strategies. For example, implementing gravel or perforated pipes tends to be much more affordable than traditional drainage systems, but they still do the job well.
Why Our Customers Choose Batchelder & Collins
At Batchelder & Collins, we have supplied the Hampton Roads area with hardscaping for over a century. Even when we first started in 1868, we have been committed to high-quality products and friendly customer service. Our professionals can help guide you through planning the perfect retaining wall for your sloped yard, along with any other hardscaping projects you may need, including pavers, fire pits, water features, and more. With our vast inventory of supplies, you can find what you need for your next project quickly. Take a look at what some of our previous customers had to say.
Testimonials
“Very helpful staff. [They] helped me in deciding how many and of which bricks to get. Very quick in and out process they have set up.” — Victor P.
“Phenomenal customer service! Terri, the latest member of their staff to field my purchase, provided solutions to the problem our design presented the Mason with and for an affordable price.” — Mike S.
Batchelder & Collins Has the Supplies You Need for Your Retaining Wall
For more information and advice on your retaining wall, call us at 757-625-2506 or use our online form to request an estimate on supplies today.
