Think that retaining walls are only installed to stop erosion and to hold soil in place?  You’d be wrong!  Designers and homeowners are now using retaining walls as a design feature just as much as they are using them for their functionality.  If you require retaining walls on your property, here are some of the current top trends, so that you can choose one that looks great as well as performing its job!  For more information on any of these trends, have a chat with your local retaining wall specialist.  They’ll be happy to share their knowledge with you.

Concrete Segmental Block Retaining Walls

One of the most popular retaining wall trends is to build ones that use concrete segmental blocks.  These blocks are interlocking and stack together in much the same way as bricks do.  As they lock together, mortar is generally not required.  Concrete segmental block retaining walls can be used to create straight or curved lines and they are functional as well as attractive, meaning that you can use them to create decks, patios, and driveways as needed.  The blocks are available in a range of colours so that you can choose one that complements your home well.  Another upcoming trend in concrete segmental block retaining walls is to use ones with large faces, known as large format blocks.  This echoes the landscaping trend of using large format pavers.

Living Retaining Walls

As people want to introduce more “Green” into their lives, living retaining walls have started shooting up the popularity charts and are now a massive trend.  These are made by using retaining wall blocks that have spaces to add in plants.  The blocks are generally hollow so all you have to do is add soil and then the plant of your choice.  You have a choice of colours in the blocks that you use so that it complements your home or the colour of the plants and flowers that you want to use within the wall.  Living retaining walls are popular as they provide a softer, more natural look and allow you to really use every inch of your precious garden space.

Natural Stone Retaining Walls

As homes start to trend towards a more classic appearance, natural stone retaining walls have been enjoying a real revival.  Even though they can be more costly than other types of retaining walls to build, they have a timeless, elegant look that is truly unmatched.  You can build a dry stacked stone wall or a stone wall that uses mortar and you have the ability to mix and match stones to create a look that is truly unique.  Best of all, when built correctly, natural stone retaining walls really do last a lifetime.