Retaining Walls
Retaining Walls & Stairs
Retaining walls and stairs are used to access or create flat and useable space on your property. Made from materials like decorative concrete blocks, poured concrete, natural rock, masonry blocks and veneer stone, or pressure treated wood. These materials can also be used to create raised planters.
Retaining Wall Blocks
"Allan Block" and Basalite's "Valley stone" are two very common types of decorative retaining wall blocks used to built small to large retaining walls and stairs. Built on a compacted crushed gravel base and proper drainage, these walls can last a lifetime. These walls can be installed straight or curving, and there are different colours and sizing to choose from. There are many other styles of retaining wall blocks to choose from besides Allan Block and Valley Stone as well. Retaining walls under 4' above grade do not need permits, but walls higher need to be engineered and permitted.
Treated Wood Walls & Stairs
6"x6" brown pressure treated wood can be used for smaller retaining walls and stairs. They are more economic than other types of walls and stairs and can compliment your existing landscape and house if a block or concrete wall will not. When on a correct base and a proper drainage system they will perform well, but will not last nearly as long as a block or concrete retaining wall. Even pressure treated lumber starts to decay when in contact with soil and our harsh Canadian climate.
Other Types of Walls
Walls can also be built from masonry blocks with veneer stone, poured concrete, or natural rock.
