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Expert Retaining Wall Installation with Enduring Beauty

A well-crafted retaining wall does more than hold back soil—it defines your landscape with structure, purpose, and timeless appeal. Whether you’re looking to reclaim sloped areas for usable outdoor space or add architectural interest to your yard, a professionally built retaining wall can transform your property while preventing erosion and drainage issues. At Wichman Landscape Construction, we build retaining walls using high-quality materials known for both durability and aesthetic value.

Choose from a variety of natural stone options—including Bluestone, Flagstone, Quartz, Sandstone, Limestone, Granite, and Travertine—or select from premium paving brands such as Techo-Bloc, Unilock, Lampus, and Belgard. Each wall is thoughtfully designed to complement the surrounding architecture and the distinct character of greater Pittsburgh’s historic and modern neighborhoods. Call us today at (412) 760-8524 to request a quote.

We Build Two Types of Retaining Walls

Retaining walls come in two types, Natural Stone or a Segmented Retaining Wall and within each type you have either gravity stacked wall or a reinforced wall.

The gravity stack wall resists the forces of failure such as overturning, tilting forward or global failure (forward movement at the foot of the wall) by the weight, depth and batter of the wall components.

Reinforced retaining walls are a composite system that include at least four (4) major components: the blocks and footing, the use of horizontal layers of geogrid reinforcement, the selected soil fill and the drainage from within this component, and the drainage rock and drain tubes behind the wall which can be expanded to meet ground water incursion behind the wall.

Natural Stone Retaining Walls

Less expensive to build than segmented retaining walls while retaining a timeless old world look.

Segmented Retaining Walls

Concrete formed rectangular block that has interlocking features an either a brick or stone veneer

Naturally Occurring Stone Retaining Walls

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Sandstone or Mountain Stone Boulder Retaining Walls

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Repurposed Sandstone Retaining Walls

Segmented Retaining Wall Gallery

retaining walls by Wichman Landcape in Pittsburgh
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Listen to What Our Clients Have To Say

Frequently Asked Questions About Retaining Walls

When faced with the choice to build a retaining wall in Pittsburgh, Wichman Landscape Construction can assist by walking a client through the following steps to insure the proper questions have been asked.  They are:

  • Slope Stability:  Is there need for an analysis to examine the influence of all geometry, subsoil properties, ground water conditions, and slopes above and below the proposed retaining wall?  What is the long term global or slope stability assessment that needs to be addressed?
  • Settlement:  What are the type, thickness and compressibility of the foundation soils?  Are the conditions suitable for a wall or are there issues that need to be addressed?
  • Groundwater conditions need to be ascertained and verified.  The information should include:
    • current ground water levels,
    • seasonal fluctuations of ground water,
    • maximum previous ground water elevations,
    • regional ground water flow,
    • possible influence of the retaining wall on ground water flow and elevation, and
    • the potential for hydrostatic pressure or seepage on or in the selected soils and retained soils zones.
  • Seismic: if there is a potential for seismic activity, (highly unlikely in Western Pa.) then horizontal and vertical acceleration should be examined and considered.
  • Other issues to consider are:
    • relative location or other structures,
    • location of other engineered walls in the area,
    • subsurface mines,
    • steep slopes,
    • local building codes

Wichman Landscape only uses the highest-quality blocks and proven construction methods to ensure that your retaining walls last for generations to come.  We will install blocks from the following recommended material manufacturers that supply wall system product into the Pittsburgh region:

Retaining walls come basically in two types, Natural Stone or a Segmented Retaining wall.  Natural stone walls use real, irregular stone for a classic, organic look. Segmented retaining walls use engineered concrete blocks that interlock for strength and uniformity. Both offer durability; the right choice depends on your design preferences and site conditions.

Within each type you have either gravity stacked wall or a reinforced wall.  The gravity stack wall resists the forces of failure such as overturning, tilting forward or global failure (forward movement at the foot of the wall) by the weight, depth and batter of the wall components.  Reinforced retaining walls are a composite system that include at least four (4) major components:  the blocks and footing, the use of horizontal layers of geogrid reinforcement, the selected soil fill and the drainage from within this component,  and the drainage rock and drain tubes behind the wall which can be expanded to meet ground water incursion behind the wall.

If we examine value, the order progression of lowest to most expensive in our geographical area is: repurposed Sandstone Block, Sandstone Boulders, Steppers, Ledge Stone, Pa. Mountain Stone, Field Stone, Colonial Stone, Sandstone veneer and lastly Limestone veneer. Wichman has even repurposed Granite wall block that was shipped in from outside the Pittsburgh region to construct a retaining wall. In retrospect, segmented concrete wall blocks can be a more expensive material to use and usually slot into the higher end of the preceding progression.

Jeff and his crew built a 4’x80’ retaining wall for us and we couldn’t be more pleased. We had an idea of what we wanted but adapted the design to better fit the landscape – thanks to Jeff’s expert input. The building material is beautiful and the construction is top notch. We’ve received nothing but compliments from neighbors!

– Beth Tirio

Quality Craftsmanship, Trusted Expertise

Our reputation in Pittsburgh is built on exceptional craftsmanship, creativity, and attention to detail. Every project is a blend of precision and artistry—from the careful selection of materials to the unique design elements that make each installation one-of-a-kind. 

We work with the finest materials to ensure your retaining wall installation stands the test of time.

  • Natural Stone Options: Bluestone, Flagstone, Quartz, Sandstone, Limestone, Granite, Travertine

  • Paving Stone Options: Tech-bloc, Lampus,  Unilock, Belgard