SERVING SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS
Retaining and Seating Walls in Southlake, TX
Walls are the oldest part of our trade. The Collective Outdoors grew out of large-scale masonry, and we still build retaining and seating walls in stone and block for Southlake homes with the same care we gave those early jobs.
Walls built by a crew that started as masons
A retaining wall looks simple from the patio. Behind the face, it is holding back tons of wet soil every time it rains. Walls fail when the footing is shallow, the backfill is wrong or water has no way out. We learned those lessons early, back when our whole business was stone, brick and block.
Today we bring that same discipline to every Southlake wall. We dig to firm soil, set a level base course, add drainage aggregate and weep outlets behind the face, and step taller walls back as they rise. The stone you see on top is the last few inches of a structure that mostly sits below grade.
Turning rolling Southlake terrain into usable ground
Parts of Southlake roll more than people expect, and many backyards drop away from the house. A slope like that leaves you with a patio that tilts, furniture that wobbles and a lower yard nobody uses. A well-placed retaining wall cuts the grade into level terraces you can actually live on.
Our designers model the existing slope and the proposed walls in plan view and in 3D. You will know how many steps you will need, where the terraces land and how the finished heights relate to the house. Once the walls are set, the flat areas are ready for new patios and stone walkways or turf.
Retaining walls
Structural walls that hold back soil and create level areas. Built in natural stone, block or a mix that matches your house.
Seating walls
Freestanding walls at seat height, about 18 to 20 inches, with a smooth cap. They give guests a place to perch without adding chairs.
Planter and edge walls
Low walls that frame a patio, define a turf area or step down a side yard. They tidy the edges of a project and stop soil from washing onto hardscape.
Seat walls that do double duty around fire and food
Few things in a Southlake backyard earn their keep like a seat wall. Curve one around a fire pit and a dozen people have a permanent place to sit. Set one along a patio edge and it divides the space while catching overflow guests during a party.
We size the cap so it is comfortable to sit on, often wider than a standard wall, and we finish it in stone that matches the rest of the project. If you are planning a Southlake fire pit or fireplace, building the seat wall at the same time saves a second round of excavation and keeps the stone consistent.
Engineering and permits for taller walls
Small seat walls and low edge walls are usually simple. Taller retaining walls, or walls that hold back a significant load, often need engineering. We assess the grade on your lot, design to the right height and bring in an engineer when the wall calls for one.
We also confirm permit requirements with the City of Southlake and prepare drawings for your HOA if one applies. The stone on your project gets set by trade partners we have kept for over 15 years, people who have done this work many times before.
You can see stone and block samples in person at our Fort Worth showroom, which is about 35 minutes from Southlake.
Southlake wall questions
Do retaining walls in Southlake need engineering?
Taller walls and walls holding back significant soil often do. We evaluate your lot, design the wall to the right height and confirm permit needs with the city before we build.
How tall should a seating wall be?
A height of 18 to 20 inches suits most seat walls, topped with a cap deep enough to be comfortable. We fine-tune that number to your furniture and the surrounding grade.
Can a retaining wall match my home's stone?
Yes. We pull stone and block options that blend with your exterior, and we can face a structural block wall with natural stone for a finished look.
Level out your Southlake yard
Send us a photo of the slope or the spot where you want extra seating. We will walk the grade with you and show you what a wall can do. You can also see our full list of Southlake services.
Request a Free ConsultationVisit the Fort Worth showroom
621 South Freeway
Fort Worth, TX 76104
Monday to Friday, 10 AM to 6 PM
Saturday by appointment
Sunday closed