A sloping lawn is never a good look but it can also be a precursor for more expensive issues down the road for your home’s foundation: drainage issues, muddy grass, and soil erosion.
Primrose Landscaping provides retaining walls in Calgary that add definition to your lawn, prevent soil erosion and create usable flat space in your yard for patios and raised gardens or flat beds that will improve your home’s curb appeal.
What is a Stone Retaining Wall?
A retaining wall is a supportive wall structure that helps protect your home’s foundation from the elements. The walls are made with footings to hold back soil on slopes.
Why Install a Stone Retaining Wall in Calgary
A homeowner may have significant slopes on their residential property. If you notice soil washing away during the rain, you likely need a retaining wall. Soil erosion will eventually mess with your landscaping by washing away ground support at the fertile topsoil. If you live in an area with lots of rain, a wall is especially important.
Foundation damage and drainage issues in your yard are other reasons to consider a retaining wall. Even with carefully directed downspouts, water and mud can start flowing towards your home’s structure.
Stone Retaining Walls Materials
Primrose Landscaping uses a variety of materials to build your wall: natural boulders, Pisa stone, and contemporary blocks. Choose from different styles to match your home’s aesthetic.
While choosing the material for aesthetics is important, you’ll also need to consider what material works for your yard and how long it will last.
Interlocking blocks: focus on durability and stability, interlocking blocks
Natural stone/boulder: Stone and boulder walls are classic, strong and long-lasting while giving your yard and landscaping a timeless appeal.
Timber: Wood or timber walls are affordable, durable, and easy to install- which means our contractors will be out of your yard in record time. Rot-resistant cedar and redwood have a lifespan of about 20 years.
Gabion: Stacked wire baskets filled with rock or stone are durable, long-lasting, and modern. Best for drainage issues and hard-to-access areas.
While the material you use is critical to the longevity and durability of your wall, how it’s designed is equally important. Without a design plan, water seepage from inadequate drainage systems and other issues can wreak havoc on the stability of your wall.
Choosing the Best Retaining Wall for Your Yard
Finding the best retaining wall material for your yard will depend on a few things:
- Aesthetic preferences (add landscape lighting for nighttime appeal)
- Budget
- Climate
- Maintenance requirements
- Wall height and soil pressure
How Long Will My Retaining Wall Last?
Retaining wall longevity depends on the material that is used. Concrete blocks last 50+ years, while wood and timber walls will last, on average, 7 to 15 years. Different materials are more durable.
In addition to the material used in building your wall, proper long-term maintenance is vital to keeping your wall in good working condition, without any added costs for repairs or replacements in the future.
Regular maintenance checks can include:
- Inspections
- Cleaning
- Drainage care
- Vegetation and weed management
- Erosion
Best Stone Wall Options for Calgary
Calgary’s freeze-thaw cycles can play havoc on your lawn and your home’s soil and structure.
Primrose Landscaping uses certified techniques, including proper base preparation, engineered footings, and strategic drainage solutions to beat the elements and make sure your wall lasts a long time.
Costs of a Retaining Wall | Durability Vs. Aesthetics
Budgeting for a retaining wall involves balancing how you want your wall to look with how long you want it to last. There are several factors to consider, including what issues will be resolved once your wall is installed: sloped yard, soil erosion, trapped water, muddy lawn.
Wall installation costs will depend on:
- Labour (installation depends on several factors)
- Materials (stone, gabion, natural boulders)
- Preparation of site (tree or plant removal)
- Permits (access to a permit)
Do you need a Professional Contractor?
For higher wall installations and sloped lawns, you will require professional retaining wall contractors in Calgary to install your retaining wall. Our professional contractors are knowledgeable in permit applications and specialized materials. While DIY projects are sometimes a possibility, it depends on the type or materials you use and your personal expertise.
Why Choose Primrose Landscaping
We use certified techniques, including proper base preparation, engineered footings, and strategic drainage solutions, to ensure your wall withstands Calgary’s freeze-thaw cycles.
Book a free Consultation in Calgary.