Comparing Different Types of Retaining Walls

Retaining walls are transformative elements of hardscape design that enhance your outdoor living environment. Whether you’re looking to prevent erosion, add functional seating, or create a visually stunning landscape, the right retaining wall can make all the difference.

Let’s explore the three main types of retaining walls: dry-stacked stone walls, segmental block walls, and seat walls, so you can choose the perfect fit for your outdoor living space.

Dry Stacked Retaining Walls

Dry stacked retaining walls are a classic choice that offers both beauty and functionality. Built without mortar or concrete, these walls rely on precision and the expertise of skilled stone masons to create a durable structure.

Dry stacked walls come in various forms, each suited for different purposes and landscape designs:

Flat-Stone Retaining Walls
Constructed with flat stones stacked horizontally, these walls offer a clean, classic look. They are perfect for small garden borders or as backdrops for patios and fireplaces, blending seamlessly with other hardscape elements.
Fieldstone Retaining Walls
Fieldstone walls are made from naturally rounded stones, providing an organic feel. These walls are great for curved designs, enhancing pathways, supporting sloped garden beds, or improving drainage.
Stacked Flagstone Walls
Flagstone offers a sleek and polished appearance, making it a great choice for seat walls or decorative retaining walls near patios. Its natural texture complements modern and traditional hardscape designs alike.

Benefits of Dry Stacked Retaining Walls

Let’s explore the key benefits that make dry stacked retaining walls a favorite among homeowners and hardscape experts:

Cost-Effective and Efficient: Dry stacked retaining walls do not require concrete footings, rebar, or heavy machinery, making them an affordable choice for your outdoor living environment. Additionally, they’re quicker to construct, making them a favorite among drainage contractors for areas prone to water runoff.
Eco-Friendly Design
Free from mortar and concrete, these walls are among the greenest options available. Their permeable structure allows water to drain naturally, preventing hydrostatic pressure and creating a sanctuary for vegetation and small creatures. This eco-conscious choice contributes to a pet-friendly and harmonious outdoor space.
Exceptional Durability: The inherent flexibility of dry stacked walls allows them to adapt to natural freeze-thaw cycles, ensuring long-lasting performance without cracking. Their durability ensures they withstand the elements, making them ideal for both functional and decorative purposes.

Segmental Block Retaining Walls

Segmental block retaining walls combine engineered strength with versatility, making them a top choice for various landscape design needs. These modular systems offer reliable performance and an array of design possibilities. Understanding the different types can help you choose the perfect solution for your outdoor living space.

Gravity Walls
Gravity segmental block walls rely on their mass to resist soil pressure. Typically shorter, these walls use large blocks for stability and are ideal for low to medium-height walls, garden borders, or small patios, offering a clean, modern look.
Reinforced Walls
Reinforced segmental block walls use geogrid layers for added strength and stability. They’re perfect for taller walls or areas requiring significant support, like slopes or terraces, offering durability with design flexibility.
Tapered Blocks
Tapered segmental blocks are designed for curved walls, making them ideal for features like winding garden walls or seating areas. They combine flexibility with elegance.
Tumbled Blocks
Tumbled segmental blocks have a weathered, rustic texture that mimics natural stone. They’re great for creating a natural aesthetic, seamlessly complementing patios, fireplaces, and garden beds.

Benefits of Segmental Block Retaining Walls

Designed to interlock securely without mortar, these segmental block retaining walls are engineered for long-lasting performance and structural integrity:

Exceptional Strength and Stability: Reinforced with compacted backfill and geogrid, segmental block walls can support heavy loads, making them ideal for large projects like bridge abutments and highway overpasses.
Versatile Design Options: Segmental blocks come in various styles, textures, and colors, allowing for creative flexibility in hardscape design. New tumbled or profiled block designs can mimic natural stone, providing an aesthetic appeal that complements patios and other outdoor entertainment
Resistance to Freeze-Thaw Cycles: Unlike concrete, segmental block walls handle freeze-thaw soil movements without damage, making them perfect for diverse climates.
Cost-Effective Solution: While they may cost slightly more than timber walls, segmental block retaining walls are generally more affordable than stone options. This makes them a smart investment for large-scale applications.

Seat Walls

Seat walls are a unique and functional addition to any outdoor entertainment area, combining seating with structural support. They’re ideal for patios, fire pits, and other gathering spaces where comfort meets utility.

Curved Seat Walls
Curved seat walls follow the landscape’s natural flow, offering a softer, organic look. Ideal for relaxed, inviting spaces around water features or garden beds, they create a welcoming atmosphere.
Raised Seat Walls
Raised seat walls offer elevated seating with better views of the landscape. They’re commonly used to define spaces in tiered gardens or multi-level patios and can be enhanced with cushions for added comfort.
Freestanding Seat Walls
Freestanding seat walls are not attached to other structures, offering flexible, standalone seating options. They can be used anywhere in the landscape as accent features or can be placed around fire pits or patios.
Built-In Seat Walls with Planter Boxes
Seat walls with planter boxes provide dual-purpose functionality, offering seating and space for plants. These walls enhance the aesthetic of your seating area while introducing greenery.

Benefits of Seat Walls

Here are some added benefits of seat walls:

Practical and Space-Saving: Seat walls maximize seating without the need for additional furniture, making them ideal for intimate gatherings around patio pavers or an outdoor fireplace.
Customizable Design: Available in a variety of materials, seat walls can be integrated seamlessly into your overall hardscape design. Whether you prefer natural stone, segmental blocks, or a combination, our team of experts can create a cohesive look that enhances your
Dual Purpose: In addition to providing seating, seat walls often serve as retaining walls, helping to manage slopes and improve drainage. This dual functionality ensures you get the most out of your investment.

Boulder Retaining Walls

Boulder retaining walls are a stunning and durable choice for landscaping projects that require both functional support and visual appeal. Constructed from large, naturally shaped stones, these walls are perfect for adding a rustic and naturalistic touch to outdoor spaces. Their robust construction and adaptability make them suitable for a variety of applications, from terracing steep slopes to creating distinctive garden boundaries.

Stacked Boulder Walls

Boulders are carefully stacked in layers without mortar, relying on their weight and strategic placement for stability. These are ideal for creating terraces, supporting slopes, and forming garden boundaries.

Mortared Boulder Walls

Boulders are secured in place with mortar, adding additional stability to the wall. These are suitable for areas requiring greater structural support or where precise alignment is necessary.

Dry-Stack Boulder Walls

These are similar to stacked boulder walls but with an emphasis on natural drainage. The gaps between stones allow water to flow freely. These retaining walls are perfect for regions with heavy rainfall or areas prone to erosion.

Benefits of Boulder Retaining Walls

Advantages of boulder retaining walls include:

Erosion Control: Provides reliable support for sloped areas, preventing soil erosion and stabilizing the landscape.
Outdoor Living Enhancements: Creates dramatic focal points, such as raised garden beds, seating areas, or natural-looking barriers around patios and fire pits.
Pathway and Driveway Borders: Defines pathways and driveways, adding both functionality and aesthetic appeal.
Water Features: These walls work beautifully as backdrops for waterfalls, ponds, or streams, blending harmoniously with the water elements.

Bottom Line

Retaining walls add functionality and elevate the aesthetics of your outdoor living area. Whether you choose the eco-friendly charm of dry-stacked walls, the engineered strength of segmental block walls, or the multi-purpose design of seat walls, each option offers unique benefits tailored to your needs.

At Campbell & Ferrara, our landscape and hardscape experts are ready to help you create an extraordinary transformation that enhances your outdoor living environment.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation and start your journey toward a beautiful, functional outdoor space. Visit our contact page at Campbell & Ferrara Contact Page or call us at (703) 354-6724.