Get matched with top retaining wall installation pros in Munday, TX

If you've decided you'd like to skip the cost of restoring a brick exterior wall after considering whether you should repair or replace brick on your house, you can consider installing fiber cement siding over brick for a cost of $2 to $6 per square foot. When done properly, cement siding over brick offers a durable, low-maintenance option that can actually reduce your home's energy costs. It's also attractive. However, improper installation or installation over heavily compromised brick can cause water damage. 

Sand and gravel are two suitable options for filling behind a retaining wall. If you’re building your own retaining wall, you’ll complete this part of the process—known as backfilling—after you finish laying the blocks. Make sure not to skip it—otherwise, you could wind up with drainage issues, which can cause your retaining wall to collapse.

Poured concrete is likely the cheapest way to build a retaining wall, as this material costs anywhere from $6 to $8 per square foot. The next best budget-friendly option is to use landscaping timbers. These timbers are great for DIY projects, as they don’t require tools to successfully build a retaining wall. Landscape timber costs around $10 to $14 per square foot. Depending on your chosen garden style, you can also go with natural stones or concrete blocks. Natural stones can be expensive if you buy them, but they’re a lot less costly if you can source them from your property. 

Railroad ties can be good for retaining walls, but it depends on the area. They have a desirable rustic look and are durable. The problem is they’re treated with creosote, a preservative the EPA says poses a risk to humans and wildlife. Over time, the preservative seeps out of the wood and into the ground. Many areas have banned the use of creosote-treated wood on residential properties. If your area does allow it, never use railroad ties near an edible garden or drinking water source. Instead, use wood that’s treated with an EPA-approved preservative or a wood-alternative composite material.