Concrete Pavers Guide

Masonry retaining walls serve two main purposes. The first is entirely functional – it holds back ground and dirt that would otherwise slope forward, keeping the slope intact and preventing accidents, especially when it rains heavily and water flows down the slope. It thus serves a water management and drainage purpose as well.

The second purpose of the masonry retaining wall is aesthetic. It provides a ‘three-dimensional’ appearance to your landscape and/or hardscape. It creates different levels of elevation that attract the eye and lets you separate different areas of your yard, such as creating elevated terraces, a raised paver patio, and other installations. It also provides you and your guests a place to sit and relax.

However, building a retaining wall is not easy. The project may turn into an engineering problem, especially when the wall height is very high, as the wall needs to be able to withstand the pressures of lateral pressure of soil, water, etc. without falling over or otherwise cracking. This means that the wall must be properly installed with a good foundation, drainage at the bottom of the wall, and sound construction all around. Thus, in most cases, except for the most minor walls, do it yourself projects are not recommended. It’s best if you hire a contractor who can do the job correctly.

Locations for Retaining Wall Installations

Retaining walls should be installed wherever there is a need. If you are having problems with flooding or mudslides, you may know where to install it – but if not, call a contractor who will evaluate your space and inform you of your options.

Of course, some homeowners like installing walls for primarily aesthetic reasons. They go great with patios, pool decks, and garden projects. There are many different designs that you can pursue with your walls – they can curve in and around a patio or garden project, and they can be topped with all manner of caps and extras. Often you can use the same materials for your walls as you do for your flatwork, such as patios and walkways, to ensure that there is unity across all the projects in your yard. For example, you can use concrete pavers across your entire yard design. Another idea is to use multiple retaining walls, especially if you want to keep your walls below the maximum height and thus avoid a visit from an engineer or other official – installing more than one wall may be less expensive and less of a hassle than installing one single large wall.

Retaining Wall Materials

A retaining wall can be built from many different materials. The most simple walls can be poured concrete walls or walls made out of concrete blocks. The large retaining wall blocks are staggered so that the joints don’t line up – this improves the strength and stability of the wall. This method is use for any modular retaining wall system that you use. Fancier and more stylish walls can be created out of retaining wall pavers, while the most fancy walls are created out of brick or natural stone, such as flagstone. If stone doesn’t suit you, other options exist, such as landscape timbers, railroad ties (though this option is environmentally out of fashion), and other non-stone options.

The cost of your retaining wall will depend on a number of factors, most notably the price of the materials you select as well as the labor costs associated with your contractor. In addition, you may have to pay additional costs and fees associated with engineers, surveyors, permits, and so on. In addition, the price of your wall will depend on the length, width, and height of the creation. Most homeowners can expect a price within the four figures.

Other Requirements

Depending on the height, location, composition, and other features of the wall, you may need to get permits and other documentation from your muncipality or local government before having the wall installed. In addition, a contractor may need to bring in (sub-contract) an engineer to make sure that the wall is properly designed and built. An improperly planned or constructed wall can end in disaster and thousands of dollars, or more, of potential damage, so don’t tread lightly here!

Unfortunately, sometimes walls are put in out of necessity. Luckily, even if they are required to be installed due to soil pressure or other factors, they can usually be well-integrated into the style and theme of your hardscaping and landscaping.

One great use for paving stones is to build a paver retaining wall. They are used primarily for landscaping in both residential and commercial applications. They have two primary functions. First, they serve an aesthetic end for home gardens and other landscaping and hardscaping projects. A paver patio retaining wall combined with a patio is a great way to mark off an area for friends and family to relax and enjoy. The second use is entirely functional and perhaps the most important reason: it protects dirt or fill from falling down slopes, especially during rain, and generally handles water drainage down slopes. Well-placed paver retaining walls can protect a patio, garden, or other installation from a dirty mudslide. Like all paving stone installations, walls last for many decades – even up to 100 years – though this depends on local conditions.

Walls can be very tricky to install. While we give you some basic ideas below on how to install retaining wall systems, in general it’s best to leave this work to a competent professional, especially for high walls or for walls near sensitive areas.

Retaining Wall Options and Paver Designs

While there are many different materials that can be used for retaining walls, pavers retaining walls are becoming a popular option due to the variety of designs options and general ease of installation. Retaining wall pavers are available in many different colors, shapes, and sizes. You can use the same concrete pavers and paver colors for different projects around your yard, ensuring that there will be harmony and order around your yard.

If you purchase the retaining wall systems, they are also quite easy to install, as they are often just paving blocks that need to be stacked together. Each brick in the set will have a specific purpose and can be installed more easily than having to use mortar to hold everything together. They are ‘interlocking’ just as interlocking pavers are in flatwork.

When planning your paver retaining wall, determine its height first, as the height of the wall will have implications for the design and materials required. You may have to use fabric to manage water flows and other details of the installation, such as the stability of the soil. If you want to build a very tall retaining wall, a number of factors come into play, such as the stability of the soil, the slope, water content, etc. As with all projects, consulting with a contractor or paver manufacturer may be a good bet. This is especially true with retaining walls – these structures can be finicky, so you want to make sure to get it right. In addition, walls are often subject to particular rules and regulations of your local area. For instance, walls of certain heights must be designed and approved by an engineer before they are installed. Make sure to check with all the regulations of your local area before you proceed – it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Like with other paving stone applications, retaining wall pavers can be laid in many different layouts and patterns. The pattern you select will depend on your tastes, your home’s theme, and any other paver installations nearby. One type of pattern is the “random” or “mosaic” layout. This layout features paving stones of different sizes, creating a natural, handcrafted look. Another pattern is the running bond pattern. In this patter, half of each retaining wall paver covers half of the one before it. One other pattern is the coursed pattern. In this layout, the brick are just laid out in simple rows.

Installing Paver Retaining Walls

Installing a paver retaining wall will be easier if you use segmented brick. These brick fit together easily and stay together. When designing your wall, you may be able to add in curves depending on the particular layout and design of your setup. Before you install the brick, you need to dig a trench to the appropriate depth and width. The general rule is that the trench should be one inch deep for every eight inches of total height of the structure. You will need to add 5-7 inches to this depth for the aggregate base and sand. After digging the trench, make sure to compact the soil. Then add 4-6 inches of aggregate base and compact. Finally, pour a 1 inch bed of coarse sand. You will then need to compact one final time. Make sure the base is secure.

Next lay the first course of brick, making sure to keep them straight. Backfill before moving on to the next course, and backfill more after each row is completed. Finally, put caps on the wall to put the final aesthetic and functional touch to your new retaining wall.

All retaining walls should be filled in with backfill. About one foot of the backfill should be course stone; the rest can be fill. In addition, the wall should be slightly sloped into the backfill. This will increase the stability of the unit. Geogrid or other fabric may be needed for certain installations. You may also need to install drainage behind the wall to prevent any disasters. Consult with a professional if you have no experience in this area.

Though this is some basic advice, you can still use it to install a wall if you are comfortable and familiar with the work. In general, though, stick with a licensed and insured contractor to make sure the job is done right the first time.

Retaining Wall Pavers Cost

The price you will have to pay for your retaining wall will vary due to a large number of factors, many of which are discussed here in this article about pavers cost. Obviously, the price you’ll pay will depend on the dimensions of the wall, but expect to pay in the low to mid 4-figures for the most standard and typical walls. (This is for labor and materials.)

Pairing Walls With Other Structures

One of the best things to do for your new outdoor project is to pair your retaining wall with other flat hardscape structures. For instance, a new patio with new walls is a great addition to any backyard. Installing walls around a pool deck is also a great idea. Most of the time, retaining walls will be installed for structural reasons. This can happen especially when you install a new hardscape or landscape project in your yard – the new structure may necessitate your installation of a new wall. Landscape pavers or garden pavers also benefit from the addition of a wall made from the same pavers. A good contractor will let you know when you will have to install a new retaining wall – some will avoid giving you this ‘bad news’ because they don’t want to scare you away from their bid. However, you may ‘pay’ for this down the line when there is a massive and messy failure in your yard. Thus, it pays to pay up front to help avoid disaster.