When the houses in your neighborhood look the same, you’ll need something that sets your home apart from others. So why not take the easy route and add instant curb appeal through hardscaping? Nothing says “I care about this place” better than a retaining wall driveway!
It can spruce up your front yard and entice visitors or potential buyers. But more than that, it can also control water and hold up the soil on your property.
A functionally aesthetic transformation sounds like an excellent idea for any homeowner! But where do you even begin?
In this article, we’ll go through the steps of constructing a retaining wall in your driveway. We’ll also cover how to design it to flow seamlessly with your existing landscape. Let’s get started!
Planning and Designing the Driveway
The main focus of your design should be blending with nature. Otherwise, your driveway won’t look natural.
Consider the existing landscape, plant life, and soil conditions. This ensures that your driveway does not appear out of place compared to the rest of your property.
When deciding how to position and design your driveway, keep in mind its overall flow and shape. Also, ensure that you create a safe passage for vehicles onto and off your property.
And, of course, you should also consider ways to minimize mud and flooding if they occur. Remember to keep your wall functional, too! Find ways for your retaining wall to allow rainwater runoff throughout the year.
Choosing Materials for Your Retaining Wall
A good wall material will look great and provide structural stability. So, you want to make sure that you select something with quality and longevity in mind.
Bricks
Brick is a popular choice for a retaining wall because it’s both beautiful and sturdy. Of course, you can always go for traditional bricks if they fit your home’s aesthetic best. But there are also more modern styles with a smooth finish. These come in various colors and textures!
However, even with careful installation, bricks can crack and become unstable over time. This could be due to settling or shifting soil underneath them.
Stones
Natural stones are an excellent material for building a retaining wall driveway. They come in various sizes and shapes, so you can select the best size and shape to suit your design. Stones can also be moved around easily because of their smaller size.
But compared to other materials, stones can be pretty expensive. They also can’t be used for larger-scale walls.
Wood
Wood can provide an attractive and cost-effective option for keeping the soil in place in your driveway. Look into pressure-treated wood, for example. They are designed to keep away termites, moisture damage, and rot. These have much higher durability than untreated lumber.
One downside to using wood is its susceptibility to rot—even the pressure-treated ones. Also, you can only do so much when designing with wood.
Concrete
Concrete blocks are extremely durable and easy to install. They do not warp, decay, or erode over time. They also offer a variety of aesthetic possibilities, especially decorative concrete.
Concrete also has low maintenance requirements. Slabs and blocks only need occasional cleaning with plain water to maintain their aesthetics over time. They’re also easier to repair than other materials.
Installing a Retaining Wall in Your Driveway
The most critical factor when constructing a retaining wall is adequate soil compaction. This prevents the wall from tilting or rolling over.
Before you begin building, you must check that the area where you plan to install it is level.
You’ll then need to dig a trench for the base of the retaining wall. Fill it with gravel or crushed rock up to one foot above ground level. Then, you can start laying out the first course of blocks on top of it.
From there, each consecutive row should be laid overlapping the one below. Keep doing this until you reach your desired height.
Make sure to use landscape fabric between courses. This would reinforce the barrier between blocks. It can help keep soil and weeds away from the blocks, too!
Adding Outdoor Features to Further Elevate the Wall Design
Add outdoor features to your retaining wall driveway to further enhance its aesthetics. For example, consider including modern garden sculptures to give your wall something extra. Or add a water feature in your outdoor space. This type of garden art is timeless. It will also be a great conversation piece for anyone who stops by!
Outdoor lighting can also bring out the beauty of the newly built retaining wall after dark. You can go with solar-powered lights that mount onto the wall. Or try using floodlights around trees or shrubs along your walkway. You can even add directional spotlights that highlight specific aspects of your landscape design.
The possibilities are truly endless! It’s time to showcase your personal style with these yard features.
Maintaining a Retaining Wall Driveway
Retaining wall driveways require maintenance to keep them functioning properly for years. Here are some tips for maintaining a retaining wall in your driveway.
Perform regular inspections of the wall. Check for signs of instability, such as cracks, shifting, or crumbling walls. Repair any damage promptly to ensure the safety and security of your home.
Weed between pavers. This prevents weeds from weakening the wall by pushing through the soil or sand. Pull weeds immediately after finding them. And make sure to dispose of them safely!
Pressure-wash the wall twice a year. Use a power washer set on low pressure to avoid damaging it. This helps retain the beauty of your wall’s overall appearance. It also keeps your wall free from mold or mildew. This could be caused by moisture buildup in porous masonry materials such as brick or stone.
Re-sand the gaps between pavers once a year. Use polymeric sand to help keep water from seeping into rocks and soil below. Doing so ensures the water doesn’t weaken your beautiful driveway over time.
Lastly, follow local rules regarding draining stormwater away from your retaining wall. This is so you don’t accidentally flood nearby homes or businesses by allowing runoff too close to their foundations.
The Bottom Line
A driveway retaining wall can be an excellent way to enhance your home’s curb appeal. Not only does it make your home look nicer, but it also increases the value of your property.
Plus, with the variety of materials and designs out there, you can customize it to fit any style or budget! With the right planning, you can create a masterpiece of landscaping art that will impress visitors for years to come!
