Elevated Beauty with Segmental Retaining Walls

Posted by Battlefield on 2/05/10

By constructing a raised planter you will lift your flowers and plants to capture attention and praise people passing by. Raised planters are the perfect way to show off patios, entry ways and pool sides. Raised planters also provide a better living environment for most plants. The soil stays less compacted and provides better drainage. Better yet, you will be able to provide better care with far less strain on strained joints and muscles.

The raised planter pictured to the right was created with (S)egmental (R)etaining (W)all blocks, or SRWs. SRWs have become the most popular way to construct raised planters and retaining walls. Before the invention of SRWs there were "3″ main materials for constructing retaining walls. These included timber/railway ties, natural stone and poured/mortared concrete. Each material has its pros and cons, but something better was needed.

The newest and most interesting materials, however, are segmental retaining wall systems. First developed in 1970′s in Canada, these building materials are individual concrete block masonry units that are made to stack and interlock with one another. They require no mortar to hold them together. SRWs can be built in a variety of shapes and designs using colorful blends and textures to resemble natural stone. These wall systems are easy enough for the average homeowner to install up to four feet. Retaining walls higher than four feet should be engineered and installed by a professional.

At Battlefield Stone we have used many different wall systems over the years. Through our experience we have found Anchor Wall and Cornerstone Walls systems provide the best results for holding back soil, Hanson Hardscapes provides a beautiful Antique Hampton Wall for sitting or raised bed walls.

Cornerstone: is a single-sided, one-sized, tapered unit system.The units typically have a random split face that resembles weathered rock. Unit shape and size are balanced to provide a natural profile that complements virtually any design or style of construction. Colors and available faces will depend on your market area. No special equipment is required for installation and one person can easily handle these lightweight, hollow core units.

StoneLedge: is a double-sided, multi-sized, tapered unit system that possesses the hand finished look of quarried stone. It is ideal for creative residential or commercial segmental retaining wall projects ranging from the simple to the complex. Designed to add the elegance of natural stone to any yard or property, StoneLedge™ is suitable for many applications including retaining walls, stairs, planters and terraced patios. The amazing flexibility, unique quarried face, and the endless creative random patterns make StoneLedge™ an excellent choice for value, beauty, durability and ease of installation.