How to Choose the Right Retaining Wall for Your Yard

Retaining walls do more than just hold back soil. They help shape your yard, improve drainage, and bring structure to outdoor spaces. Whether you're working with a slope or planning a garden, this guide covers how retaining walls work, when you might need one, different styles to consider, and common issues to watch for.

What Are Retaining Walls and How Do They Work?

A retaining wall is a structure built to hold back soil and manage elevation changes in a yard. Commonly made from stone, concrete, brick, or timber, these walls prevent erosion, improve drainage, and create flat, usable space on sloped terrain. They work by resisting soil pressure and often include drainage systems to prevent water from building up behind the wall.

Why You Might Need a Retaining Wall

Prevent Soil Erosion
On sloped areas, rain can cause soil to wash away over time. A retaining wall helps keep everything in place and protects your landscape.

Level the Ground
Retaining walls create flat areas for gardens, patios, or walkways in uneven yards.

Improve Drainage
By guiding water away from key areas, retaining walls help prevent pooling, erosion, and flooding where you don’t want it.

Enhance Landscaping
Retaining walls add structure and depth to your yard. They can define spaces, highlight features, and make your landscape feel more polished.

Support Outdoor Features
If you have a deck, patio, or pathway on a slope, a retaining wall can help stabilize the ground and prevent shifting over time.

Interlocking Block Retaining Wall

Common Types of Retaining Walls for Your Yard

Choosing the right retaining wall depends on your space, your style, and what you need it to do. Here are three of the most common types we use in front and backyards.

Interlocking Block Retaining Walls

These walls are built with modular concrete blocks that fit together without mortar. They’re durable, visually versatile, and available in a range of shapes and finishes, making them a popular choice for all kinds of landscapes.

Advantages: Durable and strong, versatile design options, low maintenance, and good for drainage.
Disadvantages: Can be more expensive than other options, limited for taller walls without added support, and may not offer the natural look some homeowners prefer.

Timber Retaining Walls

Made with pressure treated wood, timber walls are a popular choice for rustic looks and smaller projects.

Advantages: Budget-friendly, lightweight, and blends well in natural or rustic settings.
Disadvantages: Shorter lifespan, can rot or warp over time, requires ongoing maintenance, and not ideal for tall or heavily loaded walls.

Natural Stone Retaining Walls

Built from materials like fieldstone, flagstone, or boulders, these walls offer a timeless and organic look. They work especially well in gardens or upscale landscapes and can be dry-stacked or mortared depending on the application.
Advantages: Visually striking and timeless, blends seamlessly with natural surroundings, highly durable, and adds property value.
Disadvantages: Higher cost compared to other wall types, may require structural reinforcement for taller builds, and offers less design uniformity than manufactured options.

Natural Stone Retaining Wall

Concrete and Wood Cladding Retaining Wall

Thinking about a retaining wall?

Whether you're planning a new build or looking to fix an existing one, our team at WestView is here to help. We design and build retaining walls that bring both structure and style to your outdoor space. No matter the size or scope of your project, we’ll help you find the right solution for your yard.

Not sure where to start? Reach out for a complimentary consultation. We’re here to talk it through with you.