Hardscape Services
If you have a sloped backyard, soil erosion, drainage problems, or an area of your property that is difficult to use, a professionally designed retaining wall can make a major difference. For homeowners throughout Gwinnett County, GA, Stonescapes Inc. provides custom retaining wall design and installation designed to improve both the function and appearance of your outdoor space.
From Buford and Sugar Hill to Suwanee, Lawrenceville, Duluth, Dacula, Lilburn, and surrounding Gwinnett County communities, Stonescapes combines retaining walls with grading, drainage, landscaping, patios, steps, and other hardscape features to create outdoor spaces that work with your property instead of against it.
Why Do Gwinnett County Homes Need Retaining Walls?
North Georgia properties are rarely perfectly flat. Many homes throughout Gwinnett County are built on rolling terrain or properties with significant elevation changes.
That natural slope can create several problems, including:
- Soil erosion
- Washed-out landscaping
- Steep or unusable sections of the backyard
- Drainage problems
- Mud and standing water
- Loss of usable yard space
- Soil movement near patios, walkways, or other structures
Heavy Georgia rain can make these problems even more noticeable. Without proper grading and erosion control, water can move quickly down a slope and carry soil with it.
A properly constructed retaining wall can help stabilize a slope, control soil movement, and create more usable levels within your landscape.
Retaining Walls Can Do More Than Control Erosion
While retaining walls are often installed to solve a structural or drainage problem, they can also become an important part of your landscape design. A custom retaining wall can be used to:
Create More Usable Yard Space
A steep backyard may have plenty of square footage but very little usable space. A properly designed retaining wall system can create multiple levels, allowing you to use portions of the yard that were previously too steep.
Depending on the property, these areas can become:
- Outdoor entertaining spaces
- Patios
- Fire pit areas
- Garden beds
- Play areas
- Seating areas
- Walkways and steps
Control Soil Erosion
Erosion can gradually remove valuable topsoil and damage landscaping. Retaining walls can help hold soil in place and provide structure on sloped properties.
Improve Drainage
Retaining walls and drainage systems often need to work together. Proper drainage behind and around a retaining wall is an important part of creating a long-lasting installation.
At Stonescapes, we evaluate the property's grading, water flow, slope, and surrounding landscape when developing a retaining wall solution.
Improve the Appearance of Your Landscape
A retaining wall doesn't have to look like a purely functional structure.
Stone, block, and other hardscape materials can be selected to complement the architecture of your home and the rest of your landscape. Walls can also be incorporated with steps, patios, landscaping, pathways, and other outdoor features to create a cohesive design.
Retaining Wall Design for Gwinnett County Properties
Every property is different. That's why retaining wall construction should begin with an evaluation of the site rather than simply choosing a wall material.
Stonescapes considers factors such as:
- Property slope and elevation
- Soil conditions
- Water drainage and runoff
- Existing landscaping
- Location of patios and walkways
- Property lines and setbacks
- The size and height of the proposed wall
- Overall landscape design
- How the space will be used
Our goal is to create a retaining wall that addresses the underlying property issue while also fitting naturally into the landscape.
Retaining Wall Materials
The right retaining wall material depends on the property's needs and the homeowner's preferred appearance.
Depending on the project, retaining walls can incorporate materials such as:
- Natural stone
- Segmental retaining wall block
- Decorative concrete block
- Stone veneer
- Other hardscape materials
The material, color, texture, and wall design can be coordinated with existing patios, walkways, landscaping, outdoor kitchens, fire pits, and other features.
Stonescapes is also a Belgard Authorized Contractor, providing additional options for homeowners interested in manufactured hardscape materials.
Retaining Walls and Drainage Go Hand in Hand
One of the most important considerations when building a retaining wall is water.
A wall may look great when it is first installed, but improper drainage can create pressure behind the wall and contribute to long-term problems.
That's why retaining wall projects should consider how water moves across the property. Depending on the site, a project may incorporate drainage solutions such as:
- Drainage pipe
- Gravel backfill
- Drainage outlets
- French drains
- Grading improvements
- Surface water management
Stonescapes provides both retaining wall and drainage solutions, allowing these elements to be considered together during the design and installation process.
Do Retaining Walls Require a Permit in Gwinnett County?
Some retaining walls in Gwinnett County require a building permit.
According to Gwinnett County's retaining-wall guidelines, a building permit is required for retaining walls greater than four feet in height measured from the top of the footing. Permits can also be required for walls under four feet when the backfill slope exceeds certain limits or when the wall supports a surcharge load.
Because permitting requirements can depend on the specific property and wall design, homeowners should determine the applicable requirements before construction begins.
A professional contractor can help identify the scope of the project and the considerations that may affect permitting.
Retaining Walls for Communities Throughout Gwinnett County
Stonescapes serves homeowners throughout Gwinnett County and North Metro Atlanta.
Our service area includes communities such as:
- Buford
- Sugar Hill
- Suwanee
- Lawrenceville
- Duluth
- Johns Creek
- Dacula
- Lilburn
- Braselton
- Peachtree Corners
- Snellville
- Norcross
- And surrounding Gwinnett County communities
Stonescapes is based in Buford and has been providing landscaping and hardscaping services in the area for years. Owner and operator Christian Blackburn oversees projects from the design process through installation.
Why Choose Stonescapes for a Retaining Wall?
A retaining wall is more than a stack of blocks or stones. It is part of your property's grading, drainage, and overall landscape design.
Stonescapes provides complete landscape and hardscape services, including:
- Retaining walls
- Landscape design
- Grading and drainage
- Stone patios
- Walkways
- Outdoor kitchens
- Fire pits and fireplaces
- Water features
- Landscaping installation
- Sod installation
This allows your retaining wall to be designed as part of a larger outdoor space rather than as an isolated structure.
With more than 28 years of experience in the landscaping industry, Stonescapes brings extensive experience to residential landscape and hardscape projects throughout North Georgia.
Looking for a Retaining Wall Contractor in Gwinnett County, GA?
If your Gwinnett County property has a steep slope, erosion problem, drainage issue, or an unusable portion of your backyard, a professionally designed retaining wall may be the solution.
Stonescapes Inc. can evaluate your property and help determine the right combination of retaining walls, drainage, grading, landscaping, and hardscaping for your project.
Contact Stonescapes today at 678-936-0254 to schedule a free, no-obligation estimate.
Serving Gwinnett County, Buford, Sugar Hill, Suwanee, Lawrenceville, Duluth, Dacula, Lilburn, Johns Creek, and surrounding North Metro Atlanta communities.