Retaining walls are more than just stacked stone, block, or timber. A retaining wall is a complex structure that holds or retains soil behind it. There are many types of materials that can be used to create retaining walls like concrete blocks, poured concrete, treated timbers, rocks or boulders. Some are easy to use, others have a shorter life span, but all can retain soil.

Many times, that retaining wall can also be used for seating if it’s in a hang-out area such as near or around a patio or near a pool. Seat walls are becoming more and more popular in outdoor living, and for good reason and we do this kind of hardscaping too. The reason for this is simple…people are spending a lot more time in their outdoor living spaces, and they’re bringing friends. Plus, there’s only so much you can do with traditional furniture, and it typically needs to be replaced periodically due to exposure to sun, rain and critters.