Installing a stone retaining wall on your property can improve the functionality of your yard, enhance your property’s value and curb appeal, and distinguish your landscape from the others in your neighborhood. There is a wide range of stone materials and construction techniques to choose from when designing a retaining wall on your property, so be sure to consider the location, purpose, and style that best fits your landscape’s needs. Each retaining wall is unique, but here are the two basic methods used to install a retaining wall in northern New Jersey:
Dry-laid retaining wall: These types of retaining walls use either a natural stone or segmented block that is built upon a compacted base. The key here is to make sure that the base is properly compacted and there are several courses of retaining wall material installed below grade. It is also important to make sure that these retaining walls have a batter, which means that it is stepped back into the slope and will not fail and fall forward from soil and water back-pressure. When constructing dry-laid retaining walls of a height greater than 4 feet, you may also need to install a geo-grid fabric, which uses the weight of the back-fill material as an anchor to hold the retaining wall in place.
There are many options of natural stone used in dry laid retaining walls such as Bluestone, Pennsylvania Fieldstone and Carney Boulders. For segmented retaining walls there are many brands, colors and textures available and a full range of sizes to choose from. The strength and overall look of your retaining wall will likely vary depending on the wall’s height.
Concrete block or poured concrete retaining walls This is a good choice for homeowners with limited space where it would be difficult to install a geo-grid support system or batter. It’s important that these walls are also built on top of a compacted sub grade and that it is below the local frost line. In Bergen County and surrounding areas in northern New Jersey, this is usually forty inches or so below grade.
After the concrete wall is installed, a veneer stone is applied to the surface of the wall that complements the style or your home and property. With so many veneer stone choices in the market today, this type of retaining wall is often selected when incorporating the wall into other structures like outdoor fireplaces, garden architecture, water features, and outdoor kitchens.
Be sure to consult an experienced landscape designer when navigating the many choices of material and techniques for installing landscape stone retaining walls. Whether you live in Bergen County or a surrounding town in northern New Jersey, it is important to first know the needs of your landscape site and the materials that will best match those needs.
About the Blogger: Michael Conti's passion for solving complex design challenges artistically and logically drives him to reach the highest level of success in the industry. His comprehensive knowledge of all landscape design types range from the intricate city gardens to expansive estate planning. Michael's experience with all types of plants and landscape materials distinguishes his landscape designs. In his free time, Michael enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors with his wife and daughter. Michael can be reached at michael@jacobsenlandscape.com.