Many homeowners have surrounding yard space that is not even, straight or level. A great way to fortify and add structural integrity to those areas is by adding retaining walls. A retaining wall is a rigid architectural structure that provides stable, multi-level support from both sides, restrains the soil, and controls the slope, permanently maintaining its form and eliminating the worry of erosion. Retaining walls can also be stunning, visual hardscaping elements that add definition, style, and a real "wow" factor to your home's landscape. They also adds functionality, like turning a sloping hill into a terraced, usable space for patios, gardens, ornamental vegetation, and more. 

Furthermore, retaining walls enable you to better manage water drainage on your property and can be immensely helpful in flood control and boost the value of your home. They can be curved, circular, rectangular, zigzagged, or straight—virtually any shape required or desired. You also have an incredible range of building materials to choose from, making it easy to select a design that uniquely reflects your personality and complements the style of your home. Material options include brick, natural stone, stone veneer, concrete (poured or block), wood, gabion, and more. Versatility and design possibilities are endless, and best of all, an installation by a hardscaping professional typically only takes a few days.

Retaining walls are often a crucial part of a property's hardscape. Though they can be used as statement pieces to beautify a home or business, their primary purpose is to hold back soil and water from the rest of the landscape. They protect from the erosion of land around your building, which can eventually cause the structure to slip, foundations to crack, and floorboards to break. These walls are also crucial for flood protection, ensuring water is evenly distributed and drains out properly. If water pools up, it can cause flooding, destroy gardens, and attract mosquitoes and other pests. They can also serve as an elevated area to decorate or serve as extra usable land. Often, a landscape may include small hills that need to be blocked off in some areas so they don't slide out. By adding this firm structure, you tier off certain portions of the landscape and create extra space in the layout around your home.

Whereas walls we typically think of in a home withstand vertical pressure as they hold up levels of flooring and roofs, retaining walls undergo pressure headed horizontally. They need to keep everything in place without crumbling or falling over. They generally hold back stacked soil, and when it rains, that saturated soil will only become more burdensome. They may be dealing with hundreds or thousands of pounds of pressure, so they must be well built. However, that isn't the only goal. The wall should also enhance the property's visual appeal and fit in well with any other landscaping you've included. They are typically made from either stone, concrete bricks, or pavers. Pressure-treated wood is also used occasionally. 

Since they're a large portion of the landscape, they your property will make a broad statement and stand out among the things people notice first about the design around your home or office. Whether the wall is just a few feet of a terrace in your backyard or a primary industrial mission outside your business, it'll take an expert to create one masterfully. Keep in mind that you should not have to sacrifice beauty for function when it comes to your landscaping, especially something as critical as a retaining wall. When appropriately designed, a wall or any other element of your hardscape should draw people's eye and allow you more opportunity and freedom with your outdoor area. 

At Fullscapes, we have a team of experts who know the proper way to design and construct a fantastic hardscape built to last and intended to dazzle. We're a local company, and we've gathered the best of the best in Northeastern Ohio, to help elevate your property and lifestyle. Contact us today. We will come out, go over your property, listen to your needs, and develop the best plan for a beautiful and cost-effective solution.