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While retaining walls are sometimes needed in order to hold dirt in place, they can also be unsightly if they are made of concrete block. Rather than simply live with a retaining wall that is dull and uninteresting, you can easily dress it up a bit to make it blend better with your natural surroundings.
Natural Stone
One way to dress up a block wall is to cover it with natural stone. You can do this by attaching sheets of stone veneer to the finished structure to soften the appearance a bit. Natural stone held together with mortar can also serve essentially the same purpose.
Plants
Plants can help disguise the harsh features of a block retaining wall as well. Consider creating a small garden space in front of your retaining wall by using railroad ties or treated lumber posts. Add a few shrubs or flowering bushes to this space to give it visual interest. Attach some rods to the wall in order to place hanging baskets full of begonias or sweet peas to this area. You could also consider installing a trellis and then planting climbing roses or ivy over the top of it.
Container Garden
Should your block wall contain a flat top, you can easily use it for a container garden. Sit some containers full of cucumber, zucchini or watermelon on the top and let these vines cascade naturally over the side of the wall. In the space below, plant some corn, tomatoes or pole beans and let the wall serve as a natural support for these vegetables.
Ablock retaining walldoesn’t have to ruin the looks of your landscape. At Johnson’s Landscaping Service, we have hundreds of ideas that will help you turn an ordinary concrete wall into a resource you’ll be proud to show off to visitors. For more information on our landscaping services, you cancontact usfor an initial consultation.
FAQs
Plants can help disguise the harsh features of a block retaining wall as well. Consider creating a small garden space in front of your retaining wall by using railroad ties or treated lumber posts. Add a few shrubs or flowering bushes to this space to give it visual interest.
How to dress up a cinder block retaining wall? ›
Adding materials like pebbles or smooth rocks to the cement coating can also achieve a textured appearance. You can add color to the coating by painting over the cement after coating it with a concrete primer or mixing colored pigment into the wet cement.
How to make block walls look good? ›
If you're tired of looking at that plain cinder block wall on your property, you have plenty of options for giving it a facelift. For a quick and simple cover-up, try concrete or stucco. To give the wall a more unique character, consider stone wall veneer or climbing plants.
What is the best option for a retaining wall? ›
Depending on your needs, retaining walls can be built using concrete, stone, or wood. You can use variations such as cinderblocks, bricks, pavers, solid stone such as granite cobblestones, or flat pieces of river rock like shale or slate. You can also add a veneer of stone or render to a concrete retaining wall.
How do you strengthen a block wall? ›
Filling cavities in the blocks with high-strength grout or concrete mix, using the recommended psi of filler, and employing Type S mortar for strong connections are all vital aspects of reinforcing the wall. It's also key to connect the whole wall via steel to the concrete footers.
How do you brighten a retaining wall? ›
Retaining walls
These can be enhanced by adding lights, potted or climbing plants, and removable cushions to transform a plain wall into the focal point of your entire garden. But, even if you don't already have retaining walls in your garden, don't worry, as they are easy to build and don't require too much space.
How can I make my outdoor concrete walls look good? ›
7 Ideas for Decorating a Concrete Garden Wall
- Get Creative With Poured Concrete. ...
- Add Plants and Metalwork. ...
- Mimic the Texture of Rough-Sawn Wood. ...
- Hang Vertical Planters. ...
- Customize with a Mural. ...
- Apply a Textured Overlay. ...
- Embed Boulders.
Many people wonder if you can cover a concrete block or wall with stone veneer. The answer is yes.
How to decorate cinder blocks? ›
To give it more personality, paint the cinder blocks in a hue to match the pillows or cushions that'll sit on top. Or paint them a shade that complements the planters in your garden.
How do you make a breeze block wall look nice? ›
The best way to disguise a breeze block wall is to paint it in a colour that will brighten it, after all, the standard grey breeze block is not attractive in the slightest. You could also render the wall if you did not want the block pattern, instead giving you a completely smooth wall that can look more modern.
The best insulation for concrete block walls is going to be either spray foam or injection foam insulation. Foam insulation is the best option for concrete block walls because it creates an air seal, which helps make the space more comfortable and energy efficient.
How to decorate a concrete retaining wall? ›
How to Hide a Concrete Retaining Wall
- Plant Some Vines.
- Build a Trellis.
- Plant Some Shrubs.
- Create a Living Wall.
- Create a Custom Façade.
- Built-Ins.
- Raised Garden Beds.
How Long Should A Retaining Wall Last? Stone retaining walls should last somewhere between 40 and 100 years or more. Wood retaining walls last around 40 years. Stone and concrete retaining walls last between 50 and 100 years.
What is the least expensive retaining wall to build? ›
The cheapest type of retaining wall is poured concrete. Prices start at $4.30 per square foot for poured concrete, $5.65 for interlocking concrete block, $6.15 for pressure-treated pine, and about $11 for stone.
How to make concrete walls look nicer? ›
If your concrete-block basem*nt walls are dry and free of efflorescence (i.e. salt deposits) or mold, coat them with a masonry sealer or all-purpose water-base primer-sealer, and then paint with high-quality latex paint. A new wall color is an easy way to make the basem*nt feel warmer, brighter, and more welcoming.
How can I make my breeze block wall look better? ›
The best way to disguise a breeze block wall is to paint it in a colour that will brighten it, after all, the standard grey breeze block is not attractive in the slightest. You could also render the wall if you did not want the block pattern, instead giving you a completely smooth wall that can look more modern.
Can you paint or stain retaining wall blocks? ›
Acid-staining your concrete retaining wall is a straightforward, cost-effective way to significantly upgrade the look of your outdoor space. With a little time, effort, and the right materials, you can transform your retaining wall from bland and practical to a stunning focal point.
