Retaining Walls Design & Functionality
Retaining Walls from Felice Landscaping can add immediate value and have a lasting impact.
If your yard has a slope to it, you may want to consider a retaining wall to mitigate erosion, mudslides, or flooding in your yard. While its most important function is to combat the effects of gravity, retaining walls can also manage rainwater runoff, create terraces of useable land, add aesthetic appeal, and create spaces for additions like a patio or outdoor kitchen. Felice Landscaping has been Westchester County’s trusted masonry contractors for over 50 years and we can work with you to design a retaining wall that will last a long time and add curb appeal to your property.
The Purpose of Retaining Walls
The main job of a retaining wall is to create a solid base to hold back soil that would otherwise be forced downward, say after a storm, snowmelt, or earthquake. Other purposes include:
Structural support — Stone retaining walls help support the overall structure of houses and buildings, on both uphill and downhill-facing foundations.
Managing rainwater runoff — Retaining walls reduce the speed and flow of rainwater runoff, protecting lawns and gardens and preventing polluted water from entering storm drains that lead into the Hudson River and other waterways. A well-constructed retaining wall will slow the flow of rainwater and divert it to a desired location, like a rain garden.
Leveling out a yard — The upper portion of a stone retaining wall will level out a yard, providing flat, even surfaces for plants and trees, which can provide shade and add to soil retention.
Adding curb appeal — As a bonus, custom masonry adds natural beauty to any outdoor living space.
Creating dedicated spaces — The height of the wall can vary in order to create different “rooms” within a yard, for seating, sectioning off a pool, or designing an entertainment area.
You May Consider a Retaining Wall If…
● Your property is set on an incline or decline
● You notice soil runoff after heavy rain or snowmelt
● You’d like to add height to the property in order to create distinctive spaces like a seating area, pool, or outdoor kitchen
● The soil surrounding a downhill foundation is washing away or slope erosion compacts against an uphill foundation
● Your yard floods regularly
● You want to create useable land for plants, trees, or gardens
Types of Masonry Retaining Walls
At Felice Landscaping we construct retaining walls using either interlocking concrete blocks or natural stone. Both offer several options to add to the aesthetics of the property while protecting the landscape from runoff damage. Our experienced landscapers will work with you to design an attractive wall that compliments your building.
Interlocking Concrete Blocks — The cost and durability of concrete blocks makes them one of the most commonly used materials for building a retaining wall. Installing concrete blocks is a quick and easy process. Felice Landscaping works with Unilock, a trusted source for concrete masonry materials that require little maintenance and are durable products that will last for years.
Natural Stone — Revered for its beauty, natural stone retaining walls have been used for centuries. Natural stone comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and materials, such as granite, fieldstone, and flagstone. It’s more expensive than concrete, but the value add and its functionality will pay itself back over the long term.
Interested in learning more about how a retaining wall can improve your property? Give us a call at 914.557.1151 and our friendly team at Felice Landscaping will be happy to chat with your about your needs and goals.
