Custom Retaining Wall Design and Installation in Monticello, MN, and Surrounding Areas

A retaining wall is a solid structure made from concrete, bricks, stones, or wood, designed and installed to retain and prevent erosion. A retaining wall is a crucial part of a landscape design. A properly constructed custom retaining wall increases the usability of a sloping lot for gardening, landscaping, and other purposes. There are various types of retaining walls, each with benefits and drawbacks.

Property owners consider adding retaining walls to their landscapes for both aesthetic and functional purposes. A retaining wall acts as an excellent decorative feature in a landscaped yard. It makes a slope more functional by preventing water and soil from flowing downward. Retaining walls reduce yard maintenance needs resulting from erosion. Additionally, retaining walls can prevent flooding and protect the surrounding structures from the elements.

Retaining walls are complex structures, and property owners in Monticello, MN, can rely on Anderson Bros Outdoors for complete retaining wall solutions.

Popular Retaining Walls In Residential Landscaping

  • Gravity Retaining Wall:

    Gravity retaining walls use their weight and mass to hold soil in place. They are the most basic retaining wall type, made from bricks, pavers, dry-stacked stones, and unmortared stones. Although very thick, gravity retaining walls are easy to install. Usually, these retaining walls do not need additional reinforcement, but many landscaping contractors dig a small trench to ensure a sturdy foundation for longer walls.

  • Cantilevered Retaining Wall:

    A well-engineered cantilevered retaining wall can hold back a significant amount of soil. It is the most common type of retaining wall used as a landscaping feature by homeowners due to its rigidity and strength. These comprise a stem and a base slab constructed from pressed, precast, or prestressed concrete. A cantilevered retaining wall creates an L-shape. The soil’s weight holds the slab down while a smaller part called the toe sticks out.

  • Sheet Piling Retaining Wall:

    This retaining wall type is a perfect addition as a visually appealing landscaping feature in landscapes with limited space. A sheet piling retaining wall is rather basic and perfect for soft soils. The material used—wood, steel, or vinyl—is thin and driven directly into the soil. These walls often feature a vertically corrugated structure for additional reinforcement. For maximum support, one-third of the system of this retaining wall should be beneath the ground’s surface for every two-thirds that is above.

  • Anchored Retaining Wall:

    Anchors, usually mechanically driven deep into the ground, support an anchored retaining wall. These anchors are behind the walls and attached using strips or cables. Anchored retaining walls allow for proper use of the available space. They are economical and can endure pressure for longer durations without any problem. Anchor retaining walls can support the other retaining walls and are often used for structurally thinner walls or expect a higher load.

 

Factors to Consider for Retaining Walls

  1. Location: The location is a primary factor when building a retaining wall. Thorough information about the property lines and factors like slope, natural drainage pattern, underground utility, surcharge load, and soil texture is necessary when choosing the most suitable spot to construct the retaining wall. Depending on the retaining wall size and material, where the wall is built will impact the property and the surrounding environment.

  2. Soil: The soil acts as the foundation for the retaining wall. The soil type and quality play a significant role in determining the retaining wall functionality. The soil characteristics are crucial in dictating the construction time frame, retaining wall material, and construction technique. Firm and strong soil provide maximum support, while moist and wet soil or soil in freezing areas can damage the wall as it can expand or contract. The contractor can inspect the soil to recommend the retaining wall best suited for the soil type.

  3. Drainage: Poor drainage is among the leading causes of retaining wall failure. An efficient drainage system is essential to prevent excessive water accumulation behind the wall and preserve its structural integrity. Professional retaining wall contractors inspect the construction site to understand the impact of water flow on the wall. Based on that, they design and construct an appropriate drainage system to protect the wall from damage.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Property owners build retaining walls for lawn management and landscaping. There are many reasons why they are recommended for residential or commercial properties.

    • Cost-effective structure for flood control. They serve as an efficient deterrent to flooding water due to heavy rains. Through building a retaining wall, the owners equip their property with a structure great at flood protection.

    • Reducing the risk of soil erosion. Retaining walls resist soil pressure that causes the land to erode. They are effective structures to hold the terrain and prevent it from washing away.

    • Provide support. Retaining walls are purposely built to support landscaping changes and arrangements.

    We understand that retaining walls are good investments. The cost of hiring a professional contractor to get the retaining wall job done is justified by the quality of materials, industry-standard building processes, and peace of mind for the property owner.

  • Generally, a properly built retaining wall lasts 30 to 50 years. A retaining wall’s durability and strength depend on several factors that affect its lifespan, including soil quality, varying climates, foundation quality, and materials used. Regular maintenance of a retaining wall also contributes to lengthening its lifespan.

    These varying factors are best assessed through the help of a professional retaining wall builder. The most significant benefit of hiring an experienced team is the guarantee that the structure is constructed by a highly competent crew who understands the technical requirements and the building methods.

  • Potential clients can judge a retaining wall builder through their cost estimates. Determine if the scope of work justifies the price. Examine their quote for honest, upfront pricing without hidden charges.

    Pay attention to the project proposal presentation. Inspect every detail of the proposal and ask as many questions as necessary to gauge the contractors’ technical knowledge of the retaining wall services they offer. Were they able to explain and expound the clauses or the terms and conditions stated in the proposal?

    Remember that customers can make a sound choice when they understand every part of the project proposal. Choosing the most reliable and trusted contractor is indeed very challenging. Anderson Bros Outdoors takes pride in our reputation as the leading local company on retaining wall works.

  • For non-professionals, maintaining a retaining wall can take time and effort. There are several things to check that require the proper tools and the right skills to do, and depending on the type of material used, inspection methods vary.

    For example, a concrete retaining wall’s threat is wall cracks. Undetected cracks can worsen over time and will increase the risk of collapsing. On the other hand, Wooden retaining walls have shorter lifespans of three to five years. Wood is less durable and will require regular inspection for possible festering and rotting.

    Anderson Bros Outdoors offers comprehensive services that cover retaining wall installation and include maintenance and repairs to achieve a longer-lasting wall. With our extensive experience in the business, we have covered all types and have improved by applying modern solutions to different methods of maintenance requirements regardless of the kind of retaining.

  • Whether a retaining wall is built to last for three or 103 years, the most significant contributor to its lifespan is the quality of materials used to construct it. Although they are priced more expensive than the other types of retaining walls, concrete retaining walls have the longest lifespan among the options on the market. Concrete walls cost from $23 to $25 per square foot. Although expensive, buyers pay for concrete’s durability, strength, stability, and beauty as they exude modernity in design.

  • The price of a retaining wall varies, depending on what it will take and what we will use to build it. Building a retaining wall costs $50 to $75 per foot. Concrete retaining walls carry a higher price than the other materials as they require challenging construction processes that require the right tools, skills, and building competencies. For the most significant benefit from a retaining wall construction budget, we always recommend hiring a professional contractor with a proven reputation in wall block services.

Retaining walls are an aesthetically pleasing functional addition to any landscape. Anderson Bros Outdoors designs and installs a wide array of custom retaining walls for homeowners in Monticello, MN, and surrounding areas.

Our professional team possesses the skills and resources to handle all retaining wall projects, big or small, and add beauty, style, and support to the landscape. We perform installations quickly and carefully, ensuring our retaining walls look great for many years.

Service Areas

Monticello, St. Cloud, Princeton, Waite Park, Clearwater, Clear Lake, Becker, Zimmerman, Elk River, Rogers, Norwood Young America, Buffalo, Montrose, Waverly, Watertown, New Germany, Lester Prairie, Mayer, St. Bonifacius, Litchfield, Kimball, South Haven, Annadale, Maple Lake, Kingston, Dassel, Cokato, Howard Lake, White Bear Lake, Waconia, Chaska, Eden Prairie, Mound, Minnetonka, Prior Lake, Victoria, Orono, Shorewood, Spring Park, Wayzata, Excelsior, Maple Plain, Minneapolis, Roseville, Hopkins, Minnetrista, Medina, Plymouth, Golden Valley, Maple Grove, Shoreview, Edina, Chanhassen