Retaining walls do more than keep dirt in place — they fight gravity, protect structures, prevent erosion, and give your landscape some much-needed shape. If your yard slopes where it shouldn’t, or water keeps washing out your flower beds, you’ve probably already started considering adding a retaining wall. But with so many styles out there, the question becomes: Which one should I use?
At Du-West Services, we don’t just build retaining walls — we build the right retaining wall for the job. Each type of wall has a purpose, and picking the wrong one can mean wasted money, extra maintenance, or worse — total failure.
Let’s walk through the four main types of retaining walls, how they work, when to use them, and when you should call us before things start sliding downhill.
1. Gravity Retaining Walls
How it Works:
A gravity wall holds back soil using its own weight. That’s it. No steel. No tiebacks. No special anchors. Just a big, heavy wall pressing against the slope behind it.
What It’s Made Of:
We often use concrete blocks, stone, or poured concrete. These walls can be dry-stacked (without mortar), and their thickness and shape are what make them stable.
Where It Works Best:
Gravity walls are great for shorter heights — usually under 4 feet. They’re popular for garden beds, patio edges, and landscape features.
Pros:
- Simple construction
- No reinforcement needed
- Natural-looking materials available
Cons:
- Needs to be thick and heavy
- Not great for tall or high-pressure areas
We love gravity walls for light-duty projects. They look good and hold well when properly installed. But don’t expect one to hold back your sloped driveway without help.
2. Cantilever Retaining Walls
How it Works:
A cantilever wall uses a base slab and a vertical wall (or “stem”) that forms an L-shape. The weight of the soil on the slab actually helps keep the wall upright. It’s all about leverage.
What It’s Made Of:
Poured concrete with steel reinforcement. These walls are engineered to handle higher loads.
Where It Works Best:
Cantilever walls are ideal for heights between 4 to 20 feet. You’ll see them near highways, commercial buildings, or steep changes in elevation.
Pros:
Strong enough for tall or heavy loads
Takes up less space than a gravity wall
Long lifespan with minimal movement
Cons:
Requires precise engineering
More expensive than other options
Needs careful soil preparation and drainage
If you’re holding back a hill, not just a flower bed, this is the kind of wall you want. But don’t even think about pouring this one yourself — this is where we come in.
3. Sheet Pile Retaining Walls
How it Works:
Sheet piles are long, thin panels driven deep into the ground. They’re held in place by the soil pressure on either side and are often reinforced with tiebacks or anchors.
What It’s Made Of:
Steel, vinyl, or sometimes wood. We usually use steel for heavier-duty projects.
Where It Works Best:
Narrow spaces and loose or water-saturated soil. These are common in waterfront properties, docks, and areas with limited room for wall thickness.
Pros:
- Great for tight spaces
- Works in soft soils or near water
- Can be installed quickly with the right equipment
Cons:
- Not ideal for rocky soil
- Can rust or degrade over time without treatment
- Usually doesn’t look “pretty” without a finish face
Real Talk:
This wall’s all about function. You won’t see it in many backyards unless you’re up against water or building in a tight squeeze. But when the job calls for it, sheet piles get it done.
4. Anchored Retaining Walls
How it Works:
Anchored walls use cables or rods driven into the soil behind the wall to give extra holding power. The anchors are set in concrete or secured with mechanical plates, locking the wall in place.
What It’s Made Of:
Anchored systems can be added to gravity, cantilever, or even sheet pile walls. It’s more of a support system than a standalone type.
Where It Works Best:
When you’re dealing with very tall walls, heavy loads, or limited space. Also useful when you’re retrofitting an existing wall that’s started to move.
Pros:
Can handle intense pressure
Great for reinforcing existing structures
Allows thinner wall design
Cons:
- More expensive and technical
- Installation can be time-consuming
- Requires regular inspections
Real Talk:
Anchored walls are your “break glass in case of emergency” option. We use them when nothing else will hold. If your yard needs this kind of support, don’t wait — it’s time to call in help.
When Should You Call Du-West?
We get it. YouTube makes building a retaining wall look like stacking blocks and calling it a day. But if your wall needs to hold back more than just dirt from a flower bed — or if you’ve got signs of erosion, poor drainage, or shifting soil — it’s time to bring in the pros.
Call Du-West Services if:
- You’re building a wall over 3 feet tall
- You’re working on a slope or near a structure
- You’re noticing leaning, cracking, or movement in an old wall
- Water is pooling or running behind the wall
- You need permits or engineering approval
- You’re not sure which wall to use — and want to get it right
When you want the best, call Du-West. We’ll check your soil, your site, and your goals — then give you a plan that works. And we’ll build it to last.
Our Process (Step by Step)
We don’t wing it. Here’s what we do on every retaining wall job:
Step 1: Site Inspection
We look at slope, drainage, soil conditions, and space. We listen to your goals and concerns.
Step 2: Design and Planning
We choose the right wall type and design it to handle the load. We handle permits if needed.
Step 3: Excavation and Base Prep
We dig the base, set the foundation, and compact everything for a strong start.
Step 4: Build and Reinforce
We stack, pour, or drive — depending on the wall type. We add drainage, geo-grid, or anchors as needed.
Step 5: Final Grade and Clean-Up
We backfill, finish the landscape, and leave it cleaner than we found it.
FAQ
Can I build a retaining wall myself?
Sure — if it’s short and not holding much. Anything over 3 feet should be professionally designed and built.
How long do retaining walls last?
Properly built walls can last 20–50 years or more. The wrong wall might start failing in 2–5 years.
Do I need drainage behind my wall?
Absolutely. Water is the number one reason walls fail. We always include proper drainage.
Can I add anchors to an existing wall?
Yes. Anchors can help stabilize a failing wall without a full rebuild, depending on the situation.
Let’s Build the Right Wall — Once
Your yard doesn’t need guesswork. It needs a wall that fits your soil, slope, and future plans. Whether it’s a gravity wall for your garden or a cantilever system holding back a hill, we’ve built it — and fixed it when others didn’t. When you want the best, call Du-West. We’ll get the job done right — the first time. Let’s build something that holds. For good.
