retaining-walls

Retaining Wall Design and Installation

With retaining wall design the need can often dictate the material. Using the locally available stones, Dry stack walls are best for garden walls less than 24" high. For stone walls higher than that, we recommend mortared stone walls  for strength and durability. Wooden timber 6" x 6"pressure treated lumber retaining walls work well, are cost effective, relatively quick and neat but require straight lines. 

Retaining wall features

How does material choice affect cost?

Wood - wood wall systems use 6" x 6" pressure treated timbers nailed together with 10" spikes. Cost varies with design and height and ranges about $15 - $18 per square foot.
Advantages: Quick installation, low cost

Dry Stack - dry stack stone walls can be used for emphasizing a special plant in the garden or a border around a garden. This type of wall is more decorative and less permanent. Typically used for walls less than 24" high.
Advantages: Quick installation, low cost

Cement Block - the material for this choice of wall is more costly, but requires less labor. The blocks interlock and are not mortared. The overall price is not much different than that of the mortared stone wall. The pre-manufactured look of cement block is, in my opinion, far less beautiful than natural stone.
Advantages: Quick installation, long lasting

Mortared Stone - stone wall systems are best built with native stones of the region. Colors can range from sandy beige to silver-grey. The installation process is labor intensive and time consuming and can take a longer time to complete. The price is approx. $40 to $50 per face foot.
Advantages: Can conform to any curve, strongest option, long lasting

Sustainable Products and Practices

Evans Homes and Gardens makes every effort to buy as local as possible. The pressure treated lumber comes from eastern Virginia, the stone products are quarried in either Potomac or Ellicott City, Maryland and the mortar is made in Fredrick, Maryland.