Structural and Decorative Walls That Reclaim Your Yard

Retaining Walls

(403) 852-1849 Get a Free Quote

Certified Belgard Installer

Fully Insured in Alberta

Family-Owned by Chris & Nick

Serving Calgary Since 2014

About This Service

Calgary’s Trusted Retaining Walls Experts

A retaining wall does two things: it holds back soil and creates usable, level space where your yard was previously a problem slope. All The Moore Landscaping builds both structural retaining walls engineered to handle real loads and decorative walls that define spaces and add beauty to your landscape. From large natural boulders to Belgard engineered block systems, we have the experience to build walls that perform structurally and look exceptional for years.

Calgary's terrain makes retaining walls one of the most commonly requested services we provide. Communities in the southwest, including Springbank Hill, Cougar Ridge, Signal Hill, and Strathcona Park, frequently have significant grade changes that require proper wall solutions. Older walls built without adequate drainage or geogrid reinforcement fail over time, and we regularly rebuild walls that have started to bow, shift, or topple. Getting the engineering right from the start saves significant money and headaches down the line.

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Natural stone retaining wall close-up by All The Moore Landscaping Calgary

Dark charcoal retaining wall block installation in Calgary

Full Scope

What’s Included

Belgard segmental retaining walls

Natural boulder and fieldstone walls

Timber and treated wood walls

Drainage layer and filter fabric

Engineered designs for walls over one metre

Integrated steps and access points

Terraced multi-level wall systems

Outdoor lighting integration

Options & Materials

Retaining Wall Systems We Build

Belgard Segmental Retaining Walls

Belgard's engineered segmental block systems, including products like Walls by Belgard, Celtik Wall, and Anchor Diamond, are our primary choice for structural retaining applications. These systems are designed with specific block geometry, batter angles, and geogrid reinforcement protocols that result in walls engineered to hold specific loads. As certified Belgard installers, we build these systems to manufacturer specification and can access Belgard's structural design resources for larger walls.

Natural Boulder Retaining Walls

Large natural boulders create a rugged, organic retaining solution that integrates beautifully into Calgary's landscape character. Boulder walls are used for moderate slopes, naturalistic garden settings, and properties where a softer aesthetic is preferred over the clean lines of manufactured block. We source fieldstone and glacial boulders of appropriate size for the load, and we set each boulder with precision using equipment that ensures stable, long-term placement.

Timber and Pressure-Treated Wood Walls

Pressure-treated timber walls are a cost-effective solution for smaller grade changes and garden terracing applications. Timber walls have a natural look that blends well in garden settings and work well for walls under one metre in height. They have a shorter lifespan than masonry (typically 15 to 20 years) and eventually need replacement, but they're an appropriate and economical choice for the right application and budget.

Terraced Multi-Level Wall Systems

For significant grade changes, a series of shorter terraced walls is often structurally superior and more visually interesting than a single tall wall. Terraced systems create multiple level planting beds, break the visual mass of a single large wall, and allow each individual wall to be built within standard height limits. We design terraced systems with appropriate spacing between wall faces and integrated steps or pathways for access.

Decorative Garden Walls and Edging

Not every wall is structural. Low decorative walls define spaces, create raised planting beds, provide seating edges around patios, and add architectural interest to flat yards. These walls are built with the same attention to base preparation and drainage as structural walls, but at a scale and specification appropriate for their purpose. Common applications include raised garden bed borders, patio edge walls, and entry feature walls.

Engineered Walls With Geogrid Reinforcement

Walls above one metre, particularly those on steep slopes or holding significant soil loads, require geogrid reinforcement to perform correctly. Geogrid is a high-strength mesh material embedded horizontally into the backfill behind the wall at specified intervals, anchoring the wall system into the mass of soil behind it. We are experienced in geogrid installation and use it wherever the wall height and load conditions require it.

How We Work

Our Process

Site Assessment

We evaluate the slope, soil conditions, water drainage, and load requirements to determine the right wall type and engineering approach.

Engineering & Permits

Walls over one metre require engineered drawings. We handle this process and pull the necessary permits from the City of Calgary where required.

Excavation & Base

The base course is the most critical step. We excavate to the correct depth and set the first course level and plumb on a compacted gravel footing.

Course Construction

Each course is set with proper batter (backward lean), geogrid reinforcement where required, and drainage aggregate behind the wall to relieve hydrostatic pressure.

Backfill & Finish

Backfill is compacted in lifts to prevent future settling. The top course and cap are set, and the surrounding area is cleaned up and graded.

Why All The Moore

Why Calgary Homeowners Choose Us for Retaining Walls

We Engineer Every Wall Properly

The most common retaining wall failure we see in Calgary is walls that were built without adequate drainage behind them. When water pressure builds up in the soil behind a wall with no drainage relief, it pushes the wall outward. We install drainage aggregate and filter fabric behind every wall we build as a standard practice, not an optional upgrade.

We Handle Permits for Walls Over One Metre

Retaining walls above one metre in Calgary require a permit and engineered drawings from the City of Calgary. We manage this process, work with the appropriate engineering consultants where required, and build to the permitted specifications. You don't need to figure out the permit process or find an engineer on your own.

Certified Belgard Installer for Block Systems

Belgard's segmental retaining wall systems are designed to be installed to specific manufacturer protocols. As certified installers, we have the training and accountability to follow these protocols correctly. This matters for warranty coverage and for the structural performance of the wall over its lifespan.

We Build for Calgary's Freeze-Thaw Reality

Retaining walls in Calgary face significant frost pressure every winter. Proper base depth below frost, correct drainage design, and appropriate batter angle are all essential to a wall that survives our freeze-thaw cycles without shifting. We design every wall with these conditions in mind, not as an afterthought.

Integrated Design With Your Whole Landscape

Retaining walls rarely exist in isolation. They almost always relate to patio levels, garden beds, steps, and drainage design. We think about how the wall connects to everything around it, including step integration, planting bed preparation behind the wall, and how surface drainage from above the wall is managed. The result is a solution that works as a complete system.

Built to Perform for Decades, Not Just Look Good on Day One

A wall that looks clean at installation but starts leaning within five years is a failure. We prioritize the unsexy elements: drainage, base depth, and batter angle over speed and cost-cutting. We have walls still doing their job 10 and 15 years after we built them. That track record is something we stand behind.

Our Work

Project Gallery

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Multi-level paver patio with outdoor dining and lounge seating, cedar home backdrop, Calgary

Aerial drone view of completed paver patio with sectional and dining set, Calgary

Hot tub patio with cedar pergola and modern dark-siding home, Calgary

Curved paver patio with cedar deck and firepit seating area, Calgary

Two-tone paver patio with stone steps and slate cap detail, Calgary

Two-tone paver patio with broad steps and mulched planting beds, Calgary

Black paver driveway with cedar fence and garage, Calgary hardscaping

Completed stone retaining wall with step risers, Calgary by All The Moore Landscaping

Charcoal stone retaining wall with shrub plantings, Calgary landscape detail

Finished cedar privacy fence along residential side yard, Calgary

Front yard rock garden with shrubs and cedar privacy fence, Calgary softscaping

Cantilevered modern deck with outdoor living furniture set, Calgary

Paver patio with cedar fence backdrop and decorative pillars, Calgary backyard

Paver step risers with rock landscaping detail, Calgary hardscaping by All The Moore

Side yard paver walkway path along cedar house exterior, Calgary

Cedar raised planter box with fresh soil and corner joinery detail, Calgary

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Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

When do I actually need a retaining wall?

You need a retaining wall when a slope is actively eroding, causing drainage problems, limiting usable yard space, or posing a safety risk. In Calgary, common situations include: a slope that runs toward your home or a neighbour's property, a grade change that prevents you from using a significant portion of your backyard, an eroding hillside that's losing soil every spring, or an existing wall that has started to lean, bow, or shift. Retaining walls are also common when creating level areas for patios, garden beds, or raised lawn sections on sloped lots.

Do retaining walls require permits in Calgary?

Retaining walls over one metre (roughly 3.3 feet) in height generally require a permit from the City of Calgary and engineered drawings. The permit process involves submitting the engineering drawings, paying the permit fee, and having the work inspected at specific stages. We handle all of this as part of our service for larger walls. Shorter decorative walls typically do not require permits, but we confirm this for every project based on the specific location and conditions.

How tall can a retaining wall be without engineering?

In Calgary, walls under one metre in retained height generally don't require engineering drawings or a permit. However, even sub-metre walls should be built with proper drainage and base preparation to perform well. Walls near property lines, structures, utility easements, or with surcharge loads above them (like driveways or heavy equipment) should be reviewed by an engineer regardless of height. We assess every project and tell you exactly what's required before any work starts.

What is geogrid reinforcement and when is it needed?

Geogrid is a high-strength polymer mesh material that is embedded horizontally into the backfill soil behind a retaining wall at specified vertical intervals. It anchors the wall system into the mass of retained soil, dramatically increasing the wall's resistance to sliding and overturning. Geogrid is required by Belgard's installation specifications for walls above a certain height, and it is required by structural engineering for larger walls. We use geogrid wherever the wall height, slope, and loading conditions require it.

What's the difference between a decorative and structural retaining wall?

A structural retaining wall is engineered to hold back significant amounts of soil or resist active slope pressure. It requires specific base depth, drainage design, batter angle, and often geogrid reinforcement. A decorative wall creates visual interest, defines garden beds, or provides a seating edge, but is not resisting significant lateral loads. Many landscape projects use both. The same block material can be used for both, but the engineering and construction approach is different.

How long does a retaining wall last?

A properly engineered and installed Belgard block or natural stone retaining wall should last 30 to 50 years or more with virtually no maintenance beyond occasional joint inspection. Timber walls have a shorter lifespan of 15 to 20 years depending on moisture exposure and how well they were pressure-treated. The single biggest factor in wall longevity, for any material, is drainage. A wall without proper drainage behind it will fail regardless of how good the block or stone is.

Can a failing or leaning retaining wall be repaired?

It depends on the severity and cause of the failure. Walls that have shifted slightly due to inadequate drainage can sometimes be rebuilt in sections with drainage correction. Walls that have experienced significant structural failure, crumbling base courses, or are actively toppling typically need to come down and be rebuilt properly. We assess existing walls honestly and tell you whether repair is viable or whether a rebuild is the right long-term decision.

How do you handle drainage behind a retaining wall?

We install a layer of clean crushed drainage aggregate (minimum 300mm) directly behind the wall face, wrapped in filter fabric to prevent soil migration into the drainage layer. For larger walls or sites with significant groundwater, we also install a perforated drain pipe at the base of the wall to collect and convey water to a discharge point. This drainage system relieves the hydrostatic pressure that would otherwise push the wall forward over time. It's included in every wall we build.

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