Retaining Walls for Gardens
Your Garden offers you the chance to show your flare. Find the different types of Retaining Walls here.
Why Build Retaining Walls in Gardens?
Well designed retaining walls for gardens add a manicured element and feature to the homeowners landscape that makes the most of sloping, small or large blocks of land.
Level blocks can also be improved by the addition of 1 or 2 retaining walls to give height, dimension and definition in a terraced design.
Retaining walls in gardens embody functionality, practicality, while offering an opportunity to plant appealing garden foliage or enhance a large expanse of lawn.
Choose well, as Retaining walls in gardens built well, can become a standout feature, offering a finished stylish look to the property lasting many years.
Why the need for Retaining Walls in Gardens?
Some of the main reasons for building retaining walls in gardens are:
- The need to add level area on sloping land
- Stabilising sloping land to prevent soil erosion
- Defining the boundary between properties
- Adding a retaining wall to house shrubs against a boundary fence
- To add a garden feature
- When land is limited a terraced, retaining wall adds features using little space
What are the Different Types of Retaining Walls for Gardens?
There are many types of retaining walls for gardens and which one you choose is partly depending on what the purpose of the retaining wall is for.
Is it to create more level space on a sloped block? Is it to support a garden bed or sloped bank? Or is it to enhance the property or build against a current fence?
The answer to this question will determine the type of retaining wall to be built. Before you start, check out what height restrictions are imposed with your local council which is different in each state.
Then you will know whether you can build it yourself without the need of engineering designs or hiring a qualified, licenced contractor.
Most states stipulate if the garden retaining wall is under 1 metre, prior council approval is not required. However you should check with your local council.
A list of requirements for the council in your area is listed on your areas page on this website.
Listed below are some of the Retaining Walls for Gardens Favourites
Timber Retaining Walls
Treated timber such as pine, timber sleepers or hardwood are favoured for retaining walls in gardens. Although timber sleepers can last up to 20 years, eventually they will rot as all timbers will. Not as sturdy as masonry, stone or concrete, however there are concrete sleepers which look like timber, another option to consider.
For more info on Timber Retaining Walls go here.
Natural Stone
A great option to consider as you can assemble stone in a dry stacked method or as part of a gabion(wire mesh cage). For a more structured, finished look, go for the mortared look. Sandstone is a favourite material to use in either applications. Both design methods are very stylish and popular in any landscape.
Go here for more info on Stone Retaining Walls
Concrete Sleepers
Steel posts are concreted in to the ground and the concrete sleepers are placed over the top. No mortar needed. A modern alternative to timber as they are available in a variety of finishes, an added bonus being that a lot of finishes resemble the look of natural timber.
See more info on Concrete Sleepers
Reinforced Concrete Block
Requires the use of mortar and usually an experienced tradesman.
Best suited when a vertical wall is required. Comes in different colours and looks
See more info on Concrete Besser Block
Precast or Interlocking Concrete Blocks
One of the most used products in retaining walls for gardens because of the ease of DIY. There are many different colours and looks available go here for more info Precast Concrete Blocks
Which Retaining Walls for Gardens are easy to DIY?
Depending on your skills and ability,the following are easier walls that you can build yourself
- Precast Concrete Blocks which are dry stacked
- A dry stacked stone wall
- Timber Retaining Wall
- Concrete Sleepers
- Gabion Walls
The following retaining walls are more suited to an experienced, licenced contractor
- Concrete walls
- Concrete blocks mortar jointed
- Brick retaining walls
- Any wall that requires local council consent
Need help to Build your Garden Retaining Wall
At Retaining Walls HQ we connect you with qualified professionals with the knowledge and expertise to advise you on retaining walls for gardens.
They can provide a FREE no obligation quote for you. Interested? Contacts in your area
Takes you to your Areas Page
Other Types of Walls
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Why Choose Us for Your Garden Retaining Wall
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Garden Retaining Wall FAQ
Some of the reasons for building a Retaining Wall are;
- You do not have the space to batter the bank back at approx. 45 degrees.
- The bank to be retained is close to a structure.
- Usually a boundary wall requires some sort of retaining.
- An area needs to be levelled out so as to give you more liveable/workable space.
- You need to level out an area of a slope.
- Your using the retaining wall as a garden bed.
Each Council does have some varying conditions so you should check your local councils specifications. However most councils in Australia allow walls upto 1 metre in height and 1.5 metres from a building or another retaining wall to be built without consent.
Most types of Retaining Walls are suitable for gardens if cost is not a factor. Some of the more popular retaining walls are;
- Timber Retaining Walls
- Concrete Sleepers
- Concrete Blocks
- Rendered Concrete Walls
- Rock Walls
- Stone Walls
- Brick Walls and
- Gabion Walls
Yes you can, some of the best and cheapest walls for DIY are
- Pre cast Garden wall blocks
- Interlocking blocks
- Gabion Walls
- Timber Retaining Walls
- Concrete Sleepers
- Dry stacked Stone
The cheapest way to retain a bank is to batter it to 45 degrees. Failing this the cheapest walls depending on height are basically
- Pre cast blocks (DIY)
- Timber
- Interlocking Concrete Blocks
- Concrete Sleepers
- Gabion Walls
- Insitu Concrete
- Rock and stone
- Concrete Blocks