Wood retaining walls are basic but classic and can be stained in a variety of colors.

Wood retaining walls are not an option everywhere but are very common in some regions.

Wood retaining walls can eventually rot, but can also last a long time. Pressure-treated wood can last 40 years. Naturally rot-resistant wood like western red cedar or redwood can last 20 years.

Slightly more expensive than wood retaining walls, stacked engineered-block retaining walls are the least-expensive retaining wall option in areas where wood is not appropriate.

This type of wall is extremely durable and is made of interlocking blocks that are less costly to install.

A gabion is a wire cage filled with heavy material. Most often you'll see them filled with natural stone, chunks of demolished concrete or paving, or other rocky materials.

They are a fun reuse opportunity when you are demolishing the hardscape. Since gabion retaining walls are so heavy, they do not require any mortar or adhesive, making them very low-cost and easy to install.

Dry stacked stone retaining walls are low cost, though more costly than wood or engineered-block walls.

Dry stacked stone retaining walls are built by simply stacking stones on each other, without any mortar or adhesive. Like gabion walls, their strength comes from their weight.

You can easily make curves or straight lines with a stacked stone wall.

Landscape timbers are thick wood posts (typically 7" x 9") that can be stacked and connected with supporting posts to make a retaining wall. Their strength comes from the supporting posts that lock them into the ground, which you don't see.

These can be a useful option for creating a level path surface on large sloped areas - a low wall on the uphill and downhill sides will allow a path to be flat.

The price of Corten Steel varies across the United States. It tends to be the lowest priced in Texas.

Corten will rust and change colors over time, but that's what makes it look great in our opinion!
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This is a basic wood retaining wall (see above) with horizontal boards applied to the front for a clean look that works well in modern and semi-modern designs.

Like all wood walls, this will eventually rot and need to be replaced, and can only be built in straight-line segments.

To build this retaining wall with CMUs (also known as cinderblocks or Concrete Masonry Units), they’re stacked and filled with rebar and concrete. This makes a durable wall that lasts a long time with minimal maintenance.

CMU walls are expensive, though still less expensive than concrete walls. Adding paint, or especially stucco, adds to the cost of the wall.

Like engineered block walls, CMU walls can follow gentle curves or straight lines. As with any wall, curves will be more expensive to build.

I-Beams (steel beams in an I shape) can be used as vertical supports with wood panels slotted between to create a retaining wall. I-beam + wood walls are stronger than basic wood walls and suitable for holding back large/steep slopes.

Poured concrete is the most expensive retaining wall type, but it is also the strongest and most versatile. It lasts a long time with proper maintenance and can be made into straight or curving shapes.

To build a concrete retaining wall, you must build a wood frame and pour liquid concrete into it. Once cured, the frame is removed and you are left with a very strong concrete wall. This is a labor-intensive process, which is why it is the most expensive wall to build.

These retaining walls have a poured concrete or CMU core with a veneer (outer covering) of thin stone attached to the surface. This is an option for higher-budget projects where the strength of concrete without the look of a concrete or CMU wall is a priority.