Five Good Reasons You Need Retaining Walls
A stone retaining wall will add usefulness, safety, and beauty to your yard. A short retaining wall can also be turned into a seating area, making these walls a truly versatile addition to your yard.
Whether you want one for functionality or style, professional installation is the key to creating a wall that will stand tall through time and the elements. Here are five good reasons to consider adding a retaining wall to your landscape.
Hold Back Soil
If your lawn is hilly or bumpy, you probably need a retaining wall or two. Retaining walls will even out your landscape, preventing water buildup and soil runoff. They level the playing field and give you a lot more flexibility in using your outdoor space.
A retaining wall will also add drainage, so you don’t get messy, muddy areas in your lawn after a rain or snowfall.
It’s important to build retaining walls correctly. If they’re not set properly on a base, with the right drainage and waterproofing, they can become dangerously unstable. Your best bet is to call a professional mason with experience in building retaining walls.
Add Beauty
Although retaining walls are extremely useful, and in some cases a necessity, they also add drama and beauty to your landscape. The warmth of stone and the elegance of brick both blend beautifully with natural elements.
Retaining walls work in formal gardens, rural landscapes or traditional settings. For a more stylish look, add circular or curved areas to break up the long line of stone.
A retaining wall needs a solid base on the ground. Make the base of the same material as the wall and extend it into a seating area, patio or other living space. You can also turn short walls into seating walls, which will add comfort and sophistication to your outdoor entertaining.
Extend Your Gardening Options
A retaining wall will help your garden stay level, keep rain out of your garden plots, and allow you many more landscaping options.
You can also use the retaining wall itself as a freestanding container garden. Create circular areas on the wall and fill these with dirt, fertilizer, and plants. Stand decorative planters along the top of the wall. Plant climbers like roses, clematis and morning glory along the wall to add color and romance.
Ideas for your retaining wall garden can come from anywhere, so keep an eye out for gardens and parks that inspire you with their creative use of retaining walls.
Select Your Size
When planning the placement of your retaining walls, keep in mind that walls under four feet can be built by professional masons. Those over four feet high will need contractors with specialized engineering knowledge and, in some locations, will also require a local building permit. A taller wall will also need a much larger base than a short one.
Whichever size of retaining wall you need, you can rest assured that Capital Masonry’s skilled masons have the knowledge and experience to create a well-built retaining wall of any height. We’ll also take care of any licensing or permit questions that you might have.
When in doubt, go with a professional masonry company. Save yourself the headaches and possible danger of an improperly built wall, or one that you’ll have to take down for legal reasons.
Stone is Forever
The best part about a retaining wall is that it will last forever, with little upkeep. You can build your retaining wall out of rough natural stone, cultured stone, paver stones, brick or brick veneer.
If you’re using your retaining wall as a seating wall, you’ve created elegant outdoor furniture that will never rot, tear or mildew. Using your wall as a planter means never having to worry about pots that crack and split in bad weather. Stone is forever, and the beauty of your retaining wall will only deepen with age.
Call Capital Masonry
If you’ve decided to add a retaining wall to your landscape, remember that professional installation is the key to ensuring that your wall is properly built, safe and in line with local codes.
Capital Masonry is a family-owned business with decades of experience in masonry construction and repair in Maryland and Virginia. We provide a free on-site estimate and a level of workmanship that’s been proven by our many satisfied customers, top Angie’s list ranking and solid BBB reputation.
When it’s time for a wall, give Capital Masonry a call.