Why a Natural Stone Retaining Wall Might Be Perfect for Your Yard in Calgary
By Richie Chung
Your backyard should be a place to relax and entertain your loved ones, or an escape for your children to enjoy the outdoors under your safety and supervision. Hence, choosing only the best and most appealing materials for residential landscaping construction is critical.
That’s why at Calgary Dreamscapes, we love using natural stone and boulders to build retaining walls for our clients. As natural stone landscaping specialists, we highly recommend stone/boulder retaining walls as both a practical solution and an aesthetic enhancement.
There are countless benefits to using stone for retaining wall construction in Calgary. From its natural beauty to timeless endurance, there is no shortage of reasons why boulder retaining walls stand out from the rest.
Here are a handful of reasons why you should consider natural stone for your next landscaping construction project in Calgary.
#1 - Stone is Highly Resistant to the Elements
Calgary, in particular, experiences a wide range of weather throughout the year. From the plus 30-degree Celsius summer heat to the harsh -40 winter cold snaps, Calgarians know just how hot and cold it can be during different seasons.
This drastic weather variation, which also sometimes introduces moisture (rain or snow) and other elements of nature into the equation, can have adverse effects on the integrity of outdoor materials whether it be your deck, patio or retaining wall. This is especially true for woods and plastics, which can sometimes see damage from the constantly changing weather in just a few short years.
Stone is also damage-proof to insects, fire and rot.
Hence, we stand by our recommendation that boulders are the absolute best choice as a natural retaining wall construction material. Stone is highly resistant to weather; just consider for a moment how many millions of years it took for the boulders we use to form under intense pressure and temperatures. Naturally, it will be much stronger and durable than any man-made material.
In short, if you’re looking for a retaining wall to stand the test of time, then natural stone boulders are your best bet.
#2 - Stone Has the Best Potential for Property Appreciation
Ok, we will be the first to admit that natural stone isn’t always the most affordable type of material to use for landscaping construction projects. But hear us out for a second.
Apart from the slightly higher initial cost of using stone versus wood for a retaining wall, for example, you’re going to get a significantly higher return on your investment over the long term.
That’s because stone retaining walls have a natural beauty to them, one that cannot be replicated by wood or other landscaping construction materials. In fact, natural stones are one of the most sought-after materials for outdoor living spaces for all of the reasons listed in this blog, and then some. Therefore, the potential property value appreciation by using stones in your landscaping is significantly higher than if you use other less appealing materials.
Let’s not forget that convenience is an important aspect of a contemporary lifestyle; stone retaining walls are extremely low maintenance, will never shift or move, and will last for many years without nearly any fuss.
#3 - Stone is Extremely Low Maintenance
Apart from being extremely resistant to Calgary’s varying weather, natural stone boulders are also extremely low maintenance. From slate to granite, whichever stone you choose for your retaining wall can endure the weather for ages.
Natural stone is also very easy to maintain. Remove any dirt and debris with a broom or rake. Rinse off the rocks, then use a brush to scrub the larger surfaces and a smaller brush to clean the hard-to-reach crevices (if any). Rinse one more time, and that’s it!
Obviously there are more advanced stone cleaning techniques (which we can share with you upon request), but it is rare to use them because of how durable and long-lasting boulders are when used in exterior landscaping construction.
Stone Retaining Wall Expert
If you’re looking for a natural stone retaining wall expert in Calgary, you’ve come to the right place.
Calgary Dreamscapes has been constructing custom landscaped yards for well over a decade, a time in which we’ve gained the know-how and experience to make your next retaining wall or other landscaping project a huge success.
Contact us anytime at 403-471-7588 or send us a message today to initialize our quote process and we will be happy to discuss your landscaping goals with you!