Building a retaining wall can feel overwhelming. You’re dealing with slopes, soil, and structures, and mistakes can be costly. Understanding the different types of retaining walls is crucial for success.
Choosing the right wall isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about function, cost, and longevity. This guide helps you pick the perfect wall for your needs. I have been building retaining walls in Gig Harbor and surrounding cities since 2004.
What is a Retaining Wall?
A retaining wall is a structure designed to hold back soil or water. It creates level areas on sloping land. This is essential for usable outdoor space, especially in the Pacific Northwest where Garland Landscape operates.

Why Build a Retaining Wall?
Retaining walls offer many benefits in our mountainous, rainy region. They prevent soil erosion and create usable flat areas on slopes. A retaining wall can also be a beautiful design feature, adding a clean, finished look to your landscape.
If you live in an area of Washington prone to erosion, a retaining wall might be the perfect solution. Consider the various retaining wall structure types to determine the most suitable choice.
Different Types of Retaining Walls
The right retaining wall depends on factors like height, budget, and desired look. We’ve built numerous different types of retaining walls over the years, giving us valuable insights.
From our Gig Harbor, WA base at Garland Landscape, here’s a breakdown of the most common retaining wall types:
Gravity Walls
Gravity walls use their weight to resist lateral earth pressure and hold back soil. They are simple to construct using materials like concrete, brick, or natural stone.
Sometimes, wire baskets (gabions) filled with granular materials offer a more appealing option. Gravity walls are ideal for shorter walls under about 3 meters.
Cantilever Walls
Cantilever retaining walls, made of reinforced concrete, have an ‘L’ or ‘T’ shape. These walls use leverage to support larger soil masses.
They are more complex to build and more expensive than gravity walls but can reach heights of roughly 5 meters. Consider cantilever retaining wall design tutorials for DIY projects.

Anchored Walls
Anchored retaining walls, also known as tieback walls, use steel rods or cable rods drilled into the soil for extra support. These cables are anchored in solid rock formations.
This design creates inward pulling, counteracting the outward push of the soil. Anchored walls are a long-lasting solution where other retaining wall types might fail.
Sheet Piling Walls
Sheet pile retaining walls consist of interlocking steel sheets driven into the ground. They’re ideal for deep excavations and basements, creating a robust retaining structure.
While excellent for water retention, be mindful of potential chain reactions. If one sheet pile bends, others might loosen, potentially leading to wall failure. Proper supports are crucial to mitigate this risk.
Soldier Pile and Lagging Walls
Soldier pile walls use spaced steel beams (H-piles or I-beams) with timber “lagging” (horizontal planks) in between. The lagging provides support while also preventing the spread of pressure if one pile fails.
Unlike sheet piling, where bending one section can loosen others, soldier piles resist twisting and loosening. This design is cost-effective for excavations needing to handle substantial weight.
Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) Walls
MSE walls use layers of compacted reinforced soil. Reinforcing elements can be geogrids, steel strips, or other similar materials. This versatile method allows for a variety of facing materials, including precast concrete blocks, gabions, or even panels for plant growth.
Different types of MSE walls offer varying costs and aesthetics. “Green” walls, incorporating plant life, offer a unique visual appeal.
Other Considerations
Beyond the different types of retaining walls, other design considerations are important. These include drainage, foundation stability, and any necessary earthworks.
Addressing these factors ensures the longevity and effectiveness of your retaining wall. A stable base and proper drainage are especially important for gravity retaining wall gravity retaining.
Achieve Retaining Wall Success with Expert Guidance
Understanding the different types of retaining walls is vital for successful projects, whether it’s managing a slope in Gig Harbor or addressing drainage issues elsewhere in Washington. At Garland Landscape, we combine practicality with aesthetics.
Our experience with various wall types allows us to guide you through every step of the process. With thoughtful design and suitable materials, a retaining wall becomes more than just functional; it’s a work of art enhancing your outdoor space.
In addition to Gig Harbor, we also help homeowners and businesses in Port Orchard, Tacoma, Firecrest and University City in Washington. Contact us today for your free estimate!
FAQs about different types of retaining walls
What are the 4 types of retaining walls?
Four main types of retaining walls are gravity, cantilever, anchored (or tieback), and mechanically stabilized earth (MSE). Gravity retaining wall structures rely on their weight for support and are best suited for smaller heights.
Cantilever walls utilize footings for added height. Anchored walls employ anchors drilled into the earth, enabling them to withstand substantial heights and forces. MSE walls involve layered materials and reinforcement grids. Many variations exist within each type.
What is the cheapest type of retaining wall?
Gravity walls, often constructed with treated timber, rocks, or concrete blocks, are typically the cheapest. However, consider ground preparation costs, which can add to the overall expense.
Specific site conditions might make another retaining wall style more cost-effective. Consult with professionals at Garland Landscape in Gig Harbor, WA for guidance.
What is the strongest type of retaining wall?
Anchored walls are generally the strongest. They are capable of withstanding immense pressure due to the tensile strength of the steel cables or rods.
While they are usually more expensive, anchored walls are better suited for significant heights. Their superior strength justifies the investment compared to weaker alternatives requiring extensive additional support. However, all types of walls have limitations depending on site conditions, including loose soil or difficult terrain, which can result in wall walls or cracks appearing beneath backfill.
What is the easiest retaining wall to build?
Gravity walls with interlocking concrete blocks are often the easiest for DIY projects. They don’t require reinforcement or specialized expertise.
Ensure a level base and incorporate a French drain, especially in rainy climates. This prevents water buildup and potential damage to the wall, particularly if you intend on growing vegetation that needs loose soil and periodic watering or intend on resisting liquid pressure using the wall structure. Also make sure that there is a gap beneath each wall in the retaining wall anchored retaining structure, in order to prevent a crack that can appear between a wall and base.

As the owner of Garland Landscape, Chris brings over 19 years of experience in landscaping and hardscaping to every project.