25 Cheap Retaining Wall Ideas For Your Garden
- Strong Fence. When it comes to your retaining wall construction, if budget is your main priority, a wooden fence like this one will likely be your best option.
- Natural Stone Boulders. These natural stone walls are timeless and, as an added bonus, offer exceptional drainage. ...
- Stacked Stone. ...
- Timber Stumps. ...
- Poured Concrete. ...
- Vertical Railway Sleepers. ...
What is the cheapest material to build a retaining wall?
What Is the Cheapest Way to Build a Retaining Wall?
- Landscaping Timbers. As mentioned earlier, the easiest retaining wall for a DIYer to install is likely a landscape timber wall.
- Cost: About 12.00 -15.00 per square foot
- Natural Stones. ...
- Concrete Blocks. ...
- Interlocking Concrete Blocks. ...
- Poured Concrete. ...
- Railroad Ties. ...
How much does it cost to build a retaining wall?
Retaining Wall Cost. The average cost of building a retaining wall is $5,707. You’ll likely spend between $3,201 and $8,767, but some projects hit $14,000. You'll pay $20 to $60 per square foot or $30 to $150 per linear foot on average, with large, complex builds with high-end materials costing up to $125 per square foot.
What is the cheapest type of retaining wall?
What is the cheapest type of retaining wall? Wood and concrete blocks are the least expensive forms of retaining walls, followed by concrete and stones or bricks. Each material has advantages and disadvantages, such as strength, lifespan, and appearance. Concrete block is made by pouring concrete into hollow wooden blocks and allowing it to dry.
What is the best wood to use for retaining walls?
Wood retaining walls must be:
- Chemical free, not soaked in creosote or pressure-treatment chemicals
- Extra durable in ground-contact settings
- Non-toxic alternative to carcinogenic railroad ties
- More affordable and longer lasting than cedar or redwood ties
- Responsibly sourced
- Beautiful!
How do you build a cheap retaining wall?
Check out 18 cheap DIY retaining wall ideas.Simple Stacked Brick.Cinder Blocks.Railway Sleepers.Poured Concrete.Build a Stone Wall.Repurposed Pallets.Decorative Flagstone.Rustic Logs.More items...•
What is cheapest stone for retaining wall?
Treated pine is the cheapest retaining wall material at $250 to $350 per m2, but it won't last as long as other materials.
What is the easiest retaining wall to build?
For the average do-it-yourselfer, building a retaining wall is easiest when using masonry blocks that will be stacked no taller than three feet, with no mortar binding the stones or concrete members.
What can I use instead of a retaining wall?
The most common retaining wall alternatives are:Natural stone or brick walls.Wooden timbers.Gabion walls.Precast concrete.Hedges and natural trimming.Bioengineered soil walls.Natural Borders, Stones, and Mulch.
Is wood retaining wall cheaper?
Timber Wall Cheaper- timber walls are less expensive than block walls. Easy installation- timbers are easy to install for both landscapers and the DIY homeowner. Looks- timbers are simple, look great, and are the “old reliable” for landscapers and homeowners.
Are gabion walls cheaper?
Depending on the type of fill material, gabion walls are one of the cheapest retaining walls you can build, ranging from $5 to $40 per square foot installed.
Does a 2 foot retaining wall need drainage?
If your retaining wall needs a drainage pipe, make sure the pipe has slots on all sides, not just one. A drainage pipe might be needed if: The retaining wall is at least four feet high or taller. Clay or other poor draining soils are behind the wall.
What is the best material for a retaining wall?
Poured Concrete The strongest and most durable choice, concrete can be stamped, stained, veneered, or carved to look like mortared stone.
How do you build a simple retaining wall?
2:547:09How to Build a Simple Retaining Wall - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo now comes the most important part of putting in a retaining wall and that is laying down theMoreSo now comes the most important part of putting in a retaining wall and that is laying down the bottom row each block needs to be the exact same height as the block next to it.
How deep do you have to dig for a retaining wall?
The trench should be deep enough to bury at least half the height of your first course of blocks as they sit on a 2- to 3-inch base of gravel. Depending on the size of your blocks, this depth will be about 4 to 6 inches. The trench should be twice as wide as a single block.
What is the cheapest way to build a garden wall?
Bricks are the cheapest material and come in a range of colours, depending on the type of clay they're made from and the manufacturing process. They can also be multi-coloured or mottled, and have a rough or smooth texture.
Can I use pallets for a retaining wall?
0:004:57Retaining Wall made with pallet wood! (Very affordable option!)YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo that it would go into both pieces of wood. Basically both legs of the pack of wood. Next brandonMoreSo that it would go into both pieces of wood. Basically both legs of the pack of wood. Next brandon used one of his biggest size drill bits to place holes.
What is the cheapest landscaping stone?
Pea Gravel - The Cheapest Stone on the Market! Pea gravel is one of the cheapest stones you can use in landscaping. It costs about $10-50 for a ton but increases in price based on color and how much is needed for the project.
What kind of stone do you use for a retaining wall?
For retaining walls that are two feet tall or less, consider using natural wall stone or concrete interlocking blocks. The wall stone can be guillotined or random and comes in a variety of colours: beige, brown, charcoal and shades of gray.
What is the least expensive gravel?
Crushed concrete, sand and gravel mix, and crushed shells are the cheapest stones at $15 per yard. Crusher run, pea gravel, steel slag, and river rock typically cost $50 per yard or more.
What is the best material for a retaining wall?
Poured Concrete The strongest and most durable choice, concrete can be stamped, stained, veneered, or carved to look like mortared stone.
What is the cheapest type of retaining wall?
The cheapest types of retaining walls are wood and concrete blocks, followed by concrete and stones or bricks. Each material has benefits and drawbacks, including strength, longevity, and attractiveness. For those who are planning on building their own retaining wall, it is vital to plan and research. This article will explain the basics of ...
What is the most expensive material to build a retaining wall?
The most expensive materials, stone or brick, are a great option for those interested in a sturdy but attractive retaining wall. For a more cost-effective option, stones can be gathered on-site to use, but ensuring they are stacked properly and securely is tricky.
How do I build a retaining wall?
Whether doing it yourself or hiring a contractor, several things must be taken into account before starting: 1 Due to the amount of lifting and moving of soil and materials, this project would require more than one person . 2 Depending on the size of the retaining wall, a building permit may be needed before starting construction. 3 Proper drainage must be included in your design as the soil can become very heavy when wet. We’ve written about the importance of drainage in the past.
What is interlocking concrete block?
Interlocking concrete blocks, also called landscaping blocks, makes it a lot easier to plan and build your retaining wall. These manufactured blocks can come in various designs, colors, and patterns to suit any taste.
How far away should a shed be from a retaining wall?
This can be avoided if items like cars or sheds remain at least 3 feet away from the retaining wall’s top. If you know that this may be a problem, tiebacks can be installed to add extra support. All of these issues are avoidable if the proper planning and care go into building the retaining wall.
Why is it important to build a retaining wall?
It is important to do a lot of research and planning before building and ensure that all of the proper steps and precautions are taken. To avoid potential issues due to wet soil or frost, the retaining wall must be built with the proper drainage, reinforcements, and foundation.
What are the different types of blocks used for retaining walls?
Although retaining walls can be constructed using many things, there are four main types. There is wood, concrete blocks, poured concrete, ...
What is the best material for retaining walls?
Wood is a material that is in ready supply and probably the most affordable retaining wall material. Can be built up to 4’ tall or 5’–6’ with treated railroad ties and/or reinforcing steel rods. Pressure-treated Douglas fir is the best wood for avoiding rot. Quite easy to install.
How much does a cinder block retaining wall cost?
A cinder block retaining wall costs $20 to $35 per square foot or $60 to $210 per linear foot, depending on the height. A cinder block retaining wall needs a poured concrete or gravel foundation, footings, and grout filling and rebar for support.
How much does it cost to build a brick retaining wall?
The average homeowner will pay $35 per square foot and spend between $2,450 and $6,650 to build a retaining wall.
Why are walls important in landscaping?
Retaining walls can protect a building foundation and stop it from shifting or falling when there is a steep incline in your yard space. They can also improve irrigation to landscaping on higher slopes. They can add attractive design features to your landscaping, adding some punctuation around flowerbeds and allowing for certain areas to be featured.
How thick is real stone?
Typically available in thicknesses around ⅛ of an inch, real stone is cut from larger slabs. Manufactured stone products are made in molds with added color dyes and surface finishes to complete the look of natural stone. Surface resistant to rot and pests. These can be added to a strong core.
How to protect your foundation?
Protect your foundation – by preventing soil from sliding. If there are known fault lines in the area, this is one option to mitigate this risk. Manage water runoff – diverts water away from the home. Create more usable land - creates more usable yard space by converting steep slopes into living spaces.
Is brick a good draining material?
Pros - Gives a warm, inviting, and structured garden feel. Constructed from readily available clay and shale, brick is very durable and drains well. It either makes up the whole wall enclosing an inner space of grout or concrete (cavity wall), or it’s built around a solid core or CMU block (block core wall) with whole, half, or thin brick.
Compare Quotes From Top-rated Local Contractors
On average, building a retaining wall costs $23 per square foot. For the more budget-conscious, retaining wall prices average at $19 per square foot. On the upper end, retaining wall costs are around $50 per square foot.
Retaining Wall Cost Per Square Foot
As with other building materials such as pavers or roofing, square footage is a convenient way to compare the cost of different types of retaining wall materials. The length of the retaining wall multiplied by its height helps you calculate its total square footage.
Retaining Wall Cost by Material Type
The type of materials used for the retaining wall is a two-tier factor in the overall cost of the retaining wall.
Retaining Wall Block Costs
Retaining wall block has become one of the most popular types of materials to build retaining walls. With its front lip and tipped back profile, it is one of the few materials designed expressly for retaining walls.
Retaining Wall Labor Cost
Along with the cost of materials, the second half of the pricing equation—and sometimes the most important half—is the cost of labor to build the retaining wall.
Bottom Line
The type of retaining wall that you choose depends as much on your needs as on your budget. If you need to replace a retaining wall that is in danger of falling down or if you have a slope dangerously encroaching on your property, building a functional, safe retaining wall of any type is critical.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Wood and masonry retaining wall block are the two cheapest materials to use for building retaining walls.
DIY Retaining Wall Ideas
While retaining walls have the practical function of holding soil and rain runoff back, they can also be used to increase the visual impact of outdoor space. Could your yard benefit from one but need some DIY ideas?
Commercially Available Concrete Blocks for Building Retaining Walls
We have compiled a convenient list of commercially available concrete blocks from DIY stores such as Home Depot and Lowe’s. Materials and products listed include man-made interlocking blocks, blocks (not interlocking), and natural stone.
Drainage
Proper drainage is important: a good drainage system keeps the wall strong, healthy, and durable. Types of retaining wall drainage include:
General Steps for Building a Retaining Wall from Blocks
Regardless of the type of wall you plan to build, excluding ones made of poured concrete and wood – cantilevered, gravity, concrete block, interlocking block, or gabion – the steps are generally the same to DIY a wall three to four feet tall, including providing suitable drainage.
Costs
The total cost of building a retaining wall will fluctuate, depending on where you live, the purpose of the wall and the following factors:
IDEAS and INSPIRATIONAL IMAGES
Retaining walls are designed to hold back soil and prevent damage from runoff on sloped or elevated properties. Reasons for building a retaining wall include protecting the foundation of a home, diverting runoff away from exterior walls, and increasing the functionality of your yard.
Wood Retaining Wall Ideas
Timber is a versatile material because it comes in a wide variety of grains, colors, and textures like smooth planks or logs. Wood retaining walls must be straight – it can’t be shaped into curves like stone or brick. Even though the wood is treated to prevent rotting, it will eventually need replacing.
