If you want to create a garden on uneven ground, a retaining wall is a perfect addition to your backyard. Retaining walls can prevent soil from drifting down, and at Solutions Built, all of the retaining walls we construct can withstand thousands of kilos of pressure.

An excellent material to construct retaining walls from is brick. In this article, we provide an overview of brick retaining walls and the top considerations for brick retaining wall design.

What is a Retaining Wall?

A retaining wall is a structure used to prevent soil at two different elevations from eroding or suddenly collapsing. This type of wall provides support to an excavated area and assists with the lateral pressure created by this uneven soil.

Why Use Brick For A Retaining Wall?

Brick has long been a popular material for retaining walls due to its flexible design and durability. With the vast array of coloured brick available, you can pick and choose the shape and style of your retaining wall to create a look that is unique to your home. Rendering or painting your brick retaining wall design also allows you to seamlessly incorporate the retaining wall into your existing motif if you have a modern, sleek-looking home.

Another signature advantage of brick retaining walls is their strength. Immune to the effects of rot and termite infestation and durable enough to withstand Australia’s harsh weather conditions, they can be reinforced and supported to ease any worries of embankment collapse.

While a strong foundation is the best way to ensure a sturdy retaining wall, steel rods can also be passed through the brick to strengthen the wall, and you can even create a second wall of layered brick to provide support to high-pressure levels of earth. The added strength provided by brick walls is beneficial from a design perspective, allowing you to bring your retaining wall to the height you desire without compromising on stability.

Considerations for Brick Retaining Wall Design:

Walls Are Forever

While some aspects of your home grant you the opportunity to change the design when you feel like it, the permanence of a retaining wall requires you to carefully consider its structure and design to ensure you will enjoy its presence for a long time.

You Can Use Your Wall As A Design Feature

The architectural structure of your retaining wall can be a great way to add depth to your outdoor areas. Incorporating a heightened, double-layered brick retaining wall into the outdoor living space provides privacy while making the most of the wall’s natural insulation to create an area that’s cool in summer and warm in winter. You can also use your retaining wall as a floral centrepiece or hanging garden, filling out empty space and bringing a burst of colour to your outdoor area.

You Can Integrate Steps Into Your Retaining Wall

Incorporating steps into your retaining wall design is both practical and aesthetically pleasing. Steps are a great way to make the different levels of your yard easily accessible and work in conjunction with your retaining wall to give your yard a curated feel.

Steps also help make your brick retaining wall design feel like a deliberate design feature rather than a mandatory part of your garden’s landscape.

The Shape Of Your Retaining Wall

The shape of your retaining wall can have a huge impact on the overall feel and ambience of your outdoor space. It can also define which garden features will suit the feel of the area. Curved retaining walls can give a feeling of comfort and cosiness, so if you have a curved wall then consider incorporating a firepit or other communal features that encourage a more intimate feel.

Alternatively, straight-line retaining walls pair well with expansive garden layouts and can be used to open up a garden area and provide breadth to an otherwise compact space.

Need Help Building a Retaining Wall?

At Solutions Built, we specialise in high-quality brickwork for a wide range of design and aesthetic objectives throughout South East Queensland, including retaining walls that can take your garden to the next level. To chat with our team about brick retaining wall design, get in touch with us today.