Professional landscaping services including lawn care, planting, garden design, and maintenance to create beautiful, functional, and well-maintained outdoor spaces year-round.
Retaining Walls
At Armour Landscape Centre, we design and construct durable, structurally sound retaining walls that enhance both the stability and appearance of your landscape. Retaining walls are essential for managing elevation changes, preventing soil erosion, improving drainage, infill houses and creating usable outdoor space.
Whether your project involves a small garden bed wall or a large structural grade-holding system, our team delivers solutions built to withstand Edmonton’s freeze-thaw cycles and soil conditions.
Why Retaining Walls Are Important in Edmonton
Due to varying lot elevations and clay-heavy soils in Edmonton, retaining walls often play a critical role in:
- Controlling soil erosion
- Supporting sloped or uneven terrain
- Improving yard drainage
- Creating level patios, driveways, and planting areas
- Enhancing curb appeal and property value
- Proper design and construction are essential to ensure long-term performance and prevent shifting or failure
Types of Retaining Walls We Build
- Segmental Concrete Block Walls:
- Interlocking engineered blocks
- Ideal for residential applications
- Available in multiple textures and colours
- Poured Concrete Walls:
- High structural strength
- Suitable for significant grade retention
- Can be finished or textured
- Natural Stone Retaining Walls:
- Premium aesthetic appeal
- Excellent for garden features
- Blends naturally with landscaping
- Timber Retaining Walls:
- Cost-effective option
- Suitable for smaller, decorative applications
- Our Construction Process:
We follow professional installation standards to ensure stability and longevity:
- Proper excavation and base preparation
- Compacted gravel base installation
- Geogrid reinforcement (where required)
- Drainage layer with clean gravel
- Backfill with appropriate materials
- Final grading for proper water flow
Drainage is critical — improperly drained walls are the most common cause of failure.
- Permit & Engineering Considerations:
In Edmonton, retaining walls may require:
- A building permit if the wall exceeds certain height thresholds
- Professional engineering design for taller structural walls
- Compliance with zoning, grading, and setback requirements
We assist clients with permit guidance and ensure compliance with local regulations.
Common Applications:
- Driveway side walls
- Backyard grade transitions
- Raised garden beds
- Patio and deck support walls
- Property line grade control
- Infill houses
Why Choose Armour Landscape Centre
- Experienced installation team
- Built for Edmonton climate conditions
- Strong focus on drainage and frost protection
- Clean, professional finish
- Integration with hardscape, deck, fence, and landscaping projects
Retaining Wall FAQs — Edmonton
1. Do I need a permit to build a retaining wall in Edmonton?
A building permit is typically required if the retaining wall exceeds certain height limits or supports a surcharge (such as a driveway, structure, or additional load). Smaller decorative garden walls may not require a permit. Engineering drawings may be required for taller structural walls. We assist clients with permit guidance and compliance.
City of Edmonton – Building & Development Permits:
https://www.edmonton.ca/business_economy/building-development-permits
City of Edmonton – Building & Development Permits:
https://www.edmonton.ca/business_economy/building-development-permits
2. How high can a retaining wall be without engineering?
Height limits depend on site conditions and load-bearing requirements. Generally, low garden walls (under approximately 1 m / 3–4 ft) may not require engineering, but walls retaining significant soil or supporting loads often require engineered design regardless of height.
3.What type of retaining wall is best for Edmonton’s climate?
Segmental concrete block walls are commonly recommended because they are durable, flexible, and perform well in freeze-thaw conditions. Proper base preparation and drainage are more important than the material itself for long-term performance.
4.How long does a retaining wall last?
· Segmental concrete block: 30+ years with proper installation
· Poured concrete: 40+ years
· Natural stone: 40+ years
· Timber: 10–20 years depending on drainage and soil conditions
Longevity depends heavily on drainage and soil stability.
· Poured concrete: 40+ years
· Natural stone: 40+ years
· Timber: 10–20 years depending on drainage and soil conditions
Longevity depends heavily on drainage and soil stability.
5. How deep is the base for a retaining wall?
The base depth depends on wall height and soil conditions. Typically, a compacted gravel base of 6–12 inches (150–300 mm) is installed beneath the first course. Taller walls require deeper bases and engineered reinforcement.
6. Do retaining walls need drainage?
Yes — drainage is critical. Most retaining walls include:
· Clean gravel backfill
· Perforated weeping tile at the base
· Proper grading to direct water away
. Poor drainage is the most common cause of retaining wall failure.
· Clean gravel backfill
· Perforated weeping tile at the base
· Proper grading to direct water away
. Poor drainage is the most common cause of retaining wall failure.
8.Can retaining walls be built on sloped or uneven ground?
Yes. Proper excavation, base preparation, and stepped construction allow retaining walls to follow grade transitions safely and effectively.
9.Will a retaining wall help with drainage problems?
Yes — when designed correctly. Retaining walls can stabilize slopes and redirect water flow, but they must be installed with proper drainage systems to prevent water buildup behind the wall.
10.How long does installation take?
Small residential retaining walls may take 2–4 days. Larger or engineered walls may take one to two weeks depending on complexity, excavation needs, and weather conditions.
11. What affects the cost of a retaining wall?
· Wall height and length
· Material selection
· Site access and excavation requirements
· Drainage systems
· Engineering or permit requirements
. Each project is site-specific and quoted accordingly.
· Material selection
· Site access and excavation requirements
· Drainage systems
· Engineering or permit requirements
. Each project is site-specific and quoted accordingly.
12.Do you handle permits and inspections?
Yes. Armour Landscape Centre assists with permit coordination, engineering requirements (if needed), and ensures compliance with City of Edmonton regulations.