Retaining walls | Nanaimo

At Creative By Design, we thrive on design and installation of retaining walls around Departure Bay for residential and commercial applications. We also repair as well as install retaining walls

We specialize in building beautiful and elegant retaining walls using interlocking wall blocks, rock and timber. whether your looking for a structural solution or something aesthetic for the garden, our team has the expertise to help.

With our design and building expertise, we are able to overcome the challenging terrains in many communities of Nanaimo, while staying within an affordable cost.

250.436.2235

Your leading provider of retaining wall construction and retaining wall repair in Nanaimo

When it comes to sloped properties, the best option is to build a retaining wall. By doing this we are able to create some level useable space for you, in your property. There are many options when it comes to building walls from the most common option being interlocking wall block retaining wall . However there are stack stone or boulder wall options, or concrete and wood.

sugarloaf mountain - raised planting bed with feature wall - Nanaimo landscaping

How Much Does a Retaining wall cost?

Retaining wall costs in Departure Bay, generally range from $85 to $100+ per square foot installed for any Allan Block style systems. Total wall costs may vary depending on factors such as height, material and accessibility. Boulder style walls costs are usually around $50 – $75 per sq.ft depending on rock type. Natural dry-stack walls costs are dependent on the stone type and thickness as they are delivered on pallets, and also the most expensive style  of wall as the are very labour intensive. Any poured concrete walls would be outsourced to a separate contractor.

Contact our office, and arrange an appointment to start the process.

We offer:

  • Licensed and 10+ years of experience
  • Professional and reliable landscapers
  • Certified Block retaining walls
  • Estimates with Detailed breakdowns
  • High quality installations

What are stack stone rock walls?

Stack stone or flagstone is a type of flat sedimentary stone that is usually stored on pallets, and has been pre-graded by the supplier. It is usually more expensive than most stone, as it has passed through many hands to get onto the pallet, therefore being more money. Having said that, with it having been pre-graded, you can stack it and get more unique shaped and angles from it, that you might not get from Granite boulders. You can find lots of selection from your local Vancouver Island  rock supplier

Flat stacked stone retaining wall - Departure Bay Nanaimo landscapers
Granite ridge retaining wall - Departure Bay Nanaimo landscaping

What Are Granite Walls?

Granite is normally graded in either weight or by the foot i.e 1-2ft boulder, 2-3ft boulders. This natural stone material is more rugged in shape, and your local rock quarry will likely blast it out of the side of mountains and then send it to you or the supplier in trucks. Shapes are irregular and harder for building walls with rock. Most of the time to build any substantial sized rock retaining wall, you’ll need machinery like a bob-cat or excavator.

If your lucky sometimes you can find a quarry that doesn’t blast the rock, they actually chisel the rock using jackhammers on the front of big excavators. If this is the case, then you can get much more squarer shaped boulders, which will give you nicer end product. They usually have more straighter edges, which lend themselves to a nicer look once its finished.

Rock wall garden build - Nanaimo landscape with xeriscape beds and plantings
Retaining wall construction - North Nanaimo landscapers
Argyle Avenue wall and turf - Nanaimo landscaping

Below is a list of the different types of retaining walls we construct:

Stone Block Retaining Walls

The choice of stone blocks as an great solution that applies to properties being built on hills or slopes. This selection of solid building material provides safety in a garden area and also allows for an interesting mix of designs for different height options and raised planter areas. This is also a common choice because of the flexibility of stone block, is that they easily compliment many different types of concepts.

Natural Stone Retaining Walls

Embankments look great when they are made by natural stones. Using this kind of building material will reduce the level of hydrostatic pressure it is under, from any wet ground it is supporting. It is also among the most recommended material to solve rain water problems and flooding around your property.

This style is preferred when adding aesthetically pleasing accents, like plants and groundcovers within a landscape while providing a safe structural stone retaining wall at the same time.

Boulder Retaining Walls

Specialists in rapid construction of custom boulder retaining walls. They do not just serve functional service, but enhance the beauty of your landscape with a touch of nature as well. We utilize only the finest boulders to promote strength in our retaining walls.

They are very effective in providing the support system to prevent soil erosion and make the water drainage work active. Each retaining wall our team builds provides unwavering soil erosion protection and efficient water drainage. These walls are designed to seamlessly integrate with your outdoor space, incorporating the natural flora already existing within your landscape and your personal taste in style.

We aim at safety, firmness and performance and can improve the aesthetics of every project, customizing each project to your specific needs and requirements.

Concrete Block Retaining Walls

It is the right choice if your wall is for function over aesthetics. This as also be called a locking block system. Concrete block retaining walls are preferred the most among all other types of materials, as it is strong and versatile.

Block walls made from concrete offer a vast variety of options in terms of design styles and creativity. Concrete retaining wall material is going to be more expensive compared to other building materials, however the durability and lifespan of a concrete retaining wall make it a viable option.

Poured Concrete Retaining Walls

This is a very good solution to simple massive commercial, industrial or municipal job which we can find on highways for instance. Six-part series: Alot of skill is required to build a structure like this, as there can be many obstacles to overcome with the amount of rain we have in the wet season on West Coast).

While these walls are cheaper, they are less than ideal for a home retaining wall, as they may crack and be difficult to repair. So, if you require a concrete retention wall for a residential building project than we suggest an interlocking block system.

Gravity Retaining Walls

If one of the requirements of the wall is to withstand immense force it is going to be subjected to from the ground it needs to hold back, gravity retaining walls are a good option. Its walls are aimed at standing on their own strength through gravity, which it performs only from the weight it bears by the materials of construction.

Gravity retaining walls are generally made of any kind of material like stones, concrete, interlocking blocks etc.

Gabion Retaining Walls

The Gabion retaining walls are a state-of-the-art and environmentally conscious solution for slope stabilization and erosion management in various outdoor and civil engineering settings. These types of structures are made with mesh cages filled with heavy materials, such as stones, rocks or other solid materials.

The unique design provides a perfect balance of strength, flexibility and aesthetics that makes them suitable in particular cases. One of the strongest features of gabion walls is their ability to withstand and accommodate changes in the earth. This makes them ideal for areas that are prone to soil movement, such as

Brick Retaining Walls

Brick retaining walls are economical, attractive, flexible in design, shape and size and easily available locally, has made them a popular choice for many homeowners. One of the features of a brick retaining wall is how nicely they can be built to fit in well with older homes and landscapes.

Because of the colours and styles available, they have an aesthetic warmth to it compared to these other retaining wall materials,

Wood Retaining Walls

Wood retaining walls are ideal if you would like to give your landscaped area, strength with a rustic appeal. However, they will not last as long as most other alternatives. They were the top choice in the past, because wood was cheap but not so much the case now a days having witnessed the increasing wood prices in recent years. One of the key features about a wood wall is that it will fully complement the natural beauty of an environment.

 

Outdoor stone bench and rock wall - Wingrove Street Nanaimo landscaping
Retaining wall installation - Smugglers Hill Drive Nanaimo landscapers
  • ADDRESS: 203-335 Wesley Street, Nanaimo BC, Canada, V9R 2T5.​
  • HOURS: MON – FRI: 7am – 7pm / SAT: 8am -1pm / SUN: Closed.​

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