A good retaining wall can be one of the most important features of your outdoor space. It’s not just there to hold back dirt; it shapes your yard, adds structure to your outdoor space, and when built right, it’ll outlast just about everything else in the garden.
But a solid retaining wall takes more than a few timber sleepers and a shovel. Before you get stuck into your next retaining wall project, here’s what you’ll need, what to watch for, and how to make sure it holds up for the long haul.
Thinking of tackling a retaining wall? You’ll need the right steel to hold it all together. Drop into Breakwater Metaland and get sorted before you start digging.
What does a retaining wall actually do?
At its core, a retaining wall is designed to hold soil in place so it doesn’t collapse, shift, or slide down a sloped area. That could mean propping up a garden bed, supporting a sloping block, or carving out a level spot for a patio or path. You’ll see them in backyards, driveways, commercial sites, anywhere the land needs taming.
But a wall that looks neat on the outside might be hiding problems underneath. Soil puts serious pressure on a wall, especially when it’s wet. Without the right structural support, things can move, lean or fail completely.
Choosing your retaining wall material: timber, concrete, or something else?
It helps to know what kind of retaining wall material you’ll be working with. Here are the most common options:
- Pine sleepers – Affordable and easy to handle, but they’ll eventually rot, even if treated. Best for smaller or temporary walls.
- Hardwood sleepers – Stronger and longer-lasting than pine. A great option if you source some high-quality timber.
- Concrete sleepers – These are tough, long-lasting and low-maintenance. A bit heavier to work with, but they won’t bow, bend or decay.
- Recycled plastic – A newer option that’s eco-friendly and maintenance-free. Not always ideal for bigger walls but good for gardens.
- Rocks, bricks, and stone blocks – Visually striking and natural-looking, these materials can create a classic or rustic finish. While beautiful, they often require more time, labour, and structural support to install properly.
While we don’t sell these materials at Breakwater Metaland, we’re always happy to give advice on what you’ll need to build your retaining wall.
And don’t forget, a lot of the time, your retaining wall won’t keep its shape without strong steel holding it in place. That’s where we come in.
The steel that holds it all together
If the wall is the face of the job, steel posts are the skeleton. They’re the quiet heroes, keeping things upright and locked into place.
Here are some of the most essential steel sections you’ll need for your retaining wall (all stocked at Breakwater Metaland to suit 80mm sleepers):
- H-sections for straight runs
- 45-degree corners for angled turns in your design
- 90-degree corners for clean, strong angles
- C-sections to finish walls neatly
Think of these posts like anchor points. H-sections act like rails, keeping everything straight and tight, while corner and end posts hold your layout together at its most vulnerable spots.
At Breakwater Metaland, precut lengths range from 600mm to 3000mm. If your wall needs something outside the box, we also offer custom fabrication to suit 80mm and 150mm sleeper sizes.
We can also coordinate hot-dip galvanising offsite if your project demands extra protection from corrosion – perfect for long-term or exposed installations.
Tips for building a retaining wall that lasts
Building a strong retaining wall is part muscle, part smarts. Here are a few key tips to help you get it right:
- Check the rules. Most councils want permits for walls over 1 metre (including the City of Greater Geelong). Always check before you start.
- Set posts deep. As a rule of thumb, posts should generally be half above, half below ground. For a 1.2m wall, that means at least 600mm in-ground. Lock them in with concrete.
- Don’t skip drainage. Water is the silent killer of retaining walls. Install agi pipe and use gravel backfill to let moisture escape.
- Use the right sleepers. Choose whatever material suits best, as long as it’s high quality.
- Level as you go. Uneven posts mean uneven sleepers, which can throw off your entire wall. A good level or string line is your best mate on site.
Retaining walls built right with Breakwater Metaland
A retaining wall isn’t just another weekend job. Done properly, it should stand strong for decades. And while good sleepers are important, the steel is doing just as much hard work
Get in touch with the Breakwater Metaland crew. We cut, fabricate, and help tailor parts to fit your exact project. We’ll even organise delivery around Geelong, so you don’t need a trailer to get started.Our expert team has the steel and the know-how to help you build a retaining wall that actually stays put.
