Rapid Lawn Landscape Solutions Ltd. your best Regina landscaping company. We have helped many customers achieve the yards they have always dreamed of. In our latest Landscaping tip, we share some block retaining wall inspirations.

Block Retaining Wall – Powerful Structural Integrity

Concrete block has always been the most important component in retaining walls. Widely available and easy to work with, these concrete masonry units provide both aesthetic value and powerful structural integrity. Over the years, block has evolved from the simple two cell rectangular unit often called “cinder block” to much more elaborate and attractive split face.

Three basic types of block used for retaining walls

Standard Concrete Block (CMU)

This block measures 8″ x 8″ x 16″ and features two identical openings or cells. The cells are vital to its stability and should be filled with concrete or “grouted solid” when the wall is complete.

Standard reinforcing bar, “rebar” is integrated into the cells to unify the wall vertically as well as extending into the foundation. There can also be slots formed into the block that allow rebar to run horizontally in the wall as well.

Retaining walls made of standard block can stand alone, but they offer little aesthetic value. Therefore, they are usually covered with an attractive veneer of stone, brick or decorative masonry units. Block provides outstanding structural reinforcement often required by architects and structural engineers for walls over about four feet in height.

Split Face Block

This is a standard concrete block that is manufactured with an attractive texture on one side. This allows the block to be used both as a decorative and a structural unit, eliminating the additional expense of applying veneers.

The original split face was broken to look like rough stone. Some featured score lines carved into the split face. This block also offered a range of colors beyond the typical grey concrete, again to lower cost and simplify retaining wall construction.

Retaining Wall System Units

Retaining wall systems have revolutionized the look and the construction methods of today’s retaining walls. Designed to provide a structural unit with a realistic stone-like face, the blocks are more irregular in size to provide a surface that is variable and more imitative of real stone.

These blocks do have cells, but they are not organized in the same way as the standard split face. Each manufacturer will offer their own shapes, surface textures and colors that come together in their own particular system of construction. In short, they fit together accurately to increase overall strength and eliminate the need for a block core. These units have made retaining walls significantly more affordable and more beautiful, particularly when coordinated with matching pavers.

Check out all Rapid Lawn Landscape Solutions articles on retaining walls.

Rapid Lawn Landscape Solutions Ltd. is your one-stop Regina landscaping company. We have experience working on several large and small-scale commercial projects. Our equipment and our team are ready to tackle a variety of commercial landscaping jobs from snow removal to hydroseeding and anything in between.