Reviews 5 * rated Nationwide Safe Contractor Free Site Visit & Quote Family-Run Business
Piling project

What are retaining walls? A quick introduction

Whether you’re a private homeowner or you’re a trade professional, there’s a good chance you’ve heard the term “retaining wall” before – even if only in passing. It’s a crucial structure in construction and landscaping, found in everything from residential gardens to large-scale civil engineering projects. What’s more, it’s a key service that we offer here at Vxcel, alongside our mini piling services. So, whether you just need a quick refresher on the subject, or you need a proper introduction to exactly what they are and what they’re for, here’s what you need to know about retaining walls.

What is a retaining wall?

In a nutshell, a retaining wall is a structure designed to hold back soil and prevent erosion on sloped terrain. That’s its main job, but it’s not necessarily limited to that – it can create a barrier between almost any two types of materials at different elevations. Normally, that’s different levels of soil, but it can equally be sand, aggregate, or even water.

If you want two different levels in your garden for example, with a raised section elevated below normal ground level, a retaining wall is what you’d use to separate those two areas.

What are retaining walls used for?

Retaining walls serve multiple purposes, but they’re primarily focused on preventing soil erosion and managing land stability. We used the example of a residential garden above, but as we’ve mentioned already, retaining walls are also used at scale in industrial projects.

In areas with significant elevation changes or sloped terrains, these walls are crucial for maintaining the integrity of the landscape. Without retaining walls, soil and debris could slide down slopes, causing damage to property, roads, and infrastructure.

They’re often used to create flat, usable spaces in otherwise uneven terrains. Not only can they transform a steep back garden into a terraced garden, but on a more industrial level, they can also support the construction of driveways and parking areas on a slope. In urban settings, retaining walls are integral to the development of basements and underground structures.

Types of retaining walls

Retaining walls aren’t one-size-fits-all – there are various different types, the choice of which is typically dictated by the requirements of the project at hand. Here’s a quick round up of some of the main types:

  • Gravity walls rely on their massive weight, typically made from concrete, stone, or brick, to hold back soil and support large loads and higher walls.
  • Cantilevered walls, constructed from reinforced concrete in an inverted T shape, provide stability and resist soil pressure, suitable for medium to high-height applications.
  • Sheet piling walls consist of interlocking steel, vinyl, or wood planks driven vertically into softer soils and tight spaces, often used for temporary structures.
  • Anchored walls use cables or rods driven deep into the soil for additional support and stability, suitable for high load conditions and limited space.
  • Gabion walls, made from wire cages filled with rocks or stones, are flexible and permeable, often used in landscaping and erosion control for their natural appearance and good drainage.

What materials are used in retaining walls?

Much like the variation between the different types of retaining walls, the choice of materials for them depends on a number of factors. In this case, these might include the wall’s height, the type of soil, the load it must support, and aesthetic preferences.

Some of the most common materials include:

  • Concrete: A versatile and durable material, concrete can be used for gravity, cantilevered, and anchored walls. It offers excellent strength and longevity, although it may require reinforcement with steel rebar.
  • Stone: Natural stone provides an attractive and durable option for gravity and gabion walls. It blends well with the landscape and offers good resistance to weathering and erosion.
  • Brick: Brick retaining walls offer a classic look and are suitable for gravity walls in residential and garden settings. They are less suitable for higher walls due to their limited strength compared to concrete and stone.
  • Timber: Timber is often used for smaller, more decorative retaining walls in gardens and landscapes. While it offers a rustic appearance, timber walls have a shorter lifespan and may require more maintenance.
  • Steel and vinyl: These materials are commonly used in sheet piling walls, offering good strength and flexibility. They are particularly useful in tight spaces and for temporary structures.

What’s the process for building a retaining wall?

As we’ve already touched on above, retaining walls constitute one of the key services we offer here at Vxcel Piling. With around 15 years of experience to our name, our service is distinguished by our hallmarks of diligence and efficiency. Here’s the overall process, in broad strokes.

We begin with the design and planning phase, taking into account soil conditions, wall height, load requirements, and drainage needs. Here, we’ll also use our in-house specialist knowledge to ensure that the design meets safety standards.

We then move on to excavation and foundation. During this stage, we’ll excavate the area where the wall will be built, and lay a solid foundation. This foundation is critical for the wall’s stability, and usually consists of compacted gravel or a concrete footing.

Wall construction can then begin. We’ll have assembled our construction materials according to the type of wall we’re using. For gravity walls, we’ll stack blocks or stones, or concrete is poured and reinforced for cantilevered walls. If we’re constructing a sheet piling wall on the other hand, this is the point where we’ll drive the sheet piles into the ground.

The management of water flow is also really important for any type of retaining wall, so we’ll take steps to ensure proper drainage. Proper drainage is essential to prevent water buildup behind the wall, which can lead to failure, so we’ll typically use drainage pipes, gravel backfill, and weep holes to manage water flow.

With all that done, we can then move on to backfilling: where soil is carefully compacted behind the wall. This process must be done gradually to avoid putting excessive pressure on the wall. That enables us to finally move on to the finishing touches, which may involve additional landscaping, such as planting vegetation, adding capstones, or installing lighting.


That’s all the essentials covered! If you ever have any questions about retaining walls, and whether or not they’ll be necessary for your project, don’t hesitate to ask our team here at Vxcel – just give us a call on 01254 314010, and we’ll be happy to see how we can help!

As highly experienced mini piling contractors here at Vxcel, we have well over a decade of delivering exceptional results – encompassing domestic projects, commercial properties, and industrial warehouses. To find out what we’ve achieved for previous customers, feel free to take a look through our case studies!

Scroll to Top