Retaining walls are usually used on sloping properties, they hold back the soil to prevent it from running down the slope. They are often used to create a terraced effect for yards to have level spaces.

For residential properties, they are a highly versatile feature that can come in many different materials and types to suit whatever your needs are.

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Materials used for retaining walls

Retaining walls can be made out of a variety of materials and depending on your choice they can change the cost, look and design of your retaining wall. Common retaining wall materials include:

Sandstone

One of the cheaper options, sandstone is a great way to give your garden a modern feel. Tough and supplied in a range of colours, sandstone is easy to customise. It can also be moulded into curves or other shapes depending on your needs.

Timber

Though not as cost-effective as sandstone, timber is another cheap option. It can give your retaining wall a more natural look and fits in with the rest of your garden. Timber retaining walls are generally the easiest to install. They will last up to 25 years and need to be re-treated now and then.

Concrete

Low maintenance and easy to build, concrete retaining walls are often used as an alternative to timber. The front can also be moulded to mimic most other materials while providing a strong and long-lasting wall.

Stone

Stone retaining walls are a popular option and look great in a garden. Providing a strong and durable wall while adding to the natural look of your outdoor spaces. Stone is incredibly long-lasting, up to a hundred years, and has a range of cutting methods that can increase or decrease the cost. It is generally the most expensive material to build a retaining wall out of but the cost can be worth it in the long run.

Types of retaining walls

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Retaining walls can generally be customised to different sizes, shapes, colours and materials but they will generally come in one of four wall types.

There are many different retaining wall designs that utilise different benefits. The main types are:

• Gravity retaining walls
• Cantilever retaining walls
• Embedded retaining walls
• Reinforced soil retaining walls

Each wall system has its own advantages and disadvantages so it’s a good idea to know what type of retaining wall will suit your needs best.

Gravity retaining walls

The simplest and most common type of retaining wall, gravity walls, use their own weight to resist the pressures of the earth they hold back. They are generally made using heavier materials such as stone, concrete or sandstone and the weight of the whole wall keeps it upright and holds back the soil. Because of this, they can tend to be bigger than other retaining walls and their effective height is capped at three metres.

Cantilever retaining walls

Cantilever retaining walls are shaped like an upside-down T. The slab at the bottom, or footing, sits underneath the soil and is filled in over the top while the stem stands vertically and holds back the soil.

Because of its shape, any pressure put on the stem is transferred to the base slab, pushing into the hard ground beneath. As part of the base slab is positioned underneath the raised soil, its weight also helps to keep it balanced.

Cantilever walls can take up less space than other types of retaining walls and can reach up to five metres. They are usually made from concrete. The downside is that construction involves space behind the wall and they are harder to install if there are no other supports.

Embedded retaining walls

If you are excavating an area, embedded retaining walls are a common choice. Using one of several methods, embedded retaining walls utilise the foundation soil to hold back the soil. Sheet pile retaining walls are one of the most common types used. They involve piles that are individually driven deep into the ground with sheets between them to hold back the soil.

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Embedded retaining walls can be made of reinforced concrete, timber or even steel. As they rely on the ground soil to hold them up, they can be one of the weaker options for a retaining wall.

Reinforced soil retaining walls

Sometimes referred to as mechanically stabilised earth walls, reinforced soil retaining walls use strong nets called geogrids to reinforce and stabilise the soil. These nets extend from various heights of the vertical wall into the top level of the soil.

The layers this forms can make the soil behind the wall very stable and help to spread the earth pressure within its own mass rather than putting pressure on the wall itself. It can be among the most economical retaining walls.

Approvals needed for retaining walls

Like most major building work, you will need to get development approval if your retaining wall is higher than one metre. Depending on your state or territory, even those under one metre may need approval before you can begin construction.

In some places, you may need to hire a structural engineer to get approval. In other areas, you may need to follow the same procedure as a home renovation. This process will require you to:

• Lodge a building application.
• Have a qualified drafter or architect draw your plans or an engineer
• Hire a building certifier, who will approve your plans and make periodic inspections to ensure the retaining wall is being built according to specifications.

If you are unsure, get in contact with your local council and ask.

Questions to ask your builder

At hipages, you can get up to three quotes before you choose a service to make sure that you are getting the best deal. The cheapest option may not always be the best though, so make sure to know what they are offering.

When it comes time to hire a builder to make your retaining wall, make sure they are right for your job. Some questions to ask them include:

• Are you appropriately qualified, accredited or licensed?
• Do you hold valid insurance (professional indemnity and public liability insurance)?
• Can you provide a written quote?
• How long will my job take?
• Do you have references I can follow up on?

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