Retaining walls serve many purposes. Some are just for looks while others are built to stop erosion or turn that sloping yard into a usable space. Whether you are thinking about building a freestanding block wall or a retaining wall to hold back soil, planning is the key to creating a long lasting wall. First, lets look at the two different types of block walls that are most commonly built.
Freestanding Wall
Freestanding walls are just as the name describes, freestanding. A freestanding wall is usually shorter than 3 feet and both sides are visible. Freestanding walls are typically just built for aesthetic purposes. They are used to break up open spaces and create visually pleasing hardscapes. To get a mental image of what a freestanding wall might look like, imagine a block seating wall around a patio. Both sides are visible and you can access both sides.
Retaining Wall
Retaining walls are designed to laterally support soil. The finished product will result in two separate levels of soil. You will have a high side behind the retaining wall and lower side on the face of the retaining wall. Depending on how your area is setup, you can either use the high side or the low side as your new usable area.
To get a better understanding of how retaining walls can be used in real world scenarios, lets take a look at a situation we deal with a lot. Your home is nestled on a gradually sloping hill that you call your backyard. Your family wants to install a pool but the yard is just too steep. Lambs Lawn Service & Landscaping can turn your sloping yard into a flat yard by adding a retaining wall. The paver block wall can be built tall enough to level the area you need to install the pool.