What are the cheapest retaining wall blocks?
Amelia Brooks
Updated on March 15, 2026
What are the cheapest retaining wall blocks?
The cheapest types of retaining walls are ones made of wood and concrete blocks. It is the cost of the material that makes building one inexpensive or expensive. The cheapest design to DIY is one made of treated pine.
What blocks should I use for a retaining wall?
Concrete blocks can be used by laying them side by side, again with mesh ties holding the two sections together, or by laying them flat to give either a 225mm wide wall, or long ways to give a 450mm wide wall. There are also proprietary products for building strong walls and one of these is the hollow concrete block.
HOW MUCH DO Retaining wall blocks cost?
On the average, natural stone retaining walls cost about $50 per square foot….Natural Stone Retaining Walls.
| Type of Retaining Wall Material | Cost Per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Retaining wall block | $16 – $30 |
| Wood | $10 – $28 |
| Natural stone | $25 – $75 |
How many retaining wall blocks do I need to make a circle?
Step 1: Place 14 Blocks in Circle You could use a string and two pencils to mark out a more perfect circle, but I found it easiest to just lay the blocks in the best circle I could. Then, use a shovel or a stick to mark the outer and inner edges of the blocks.
What is the least expensive way to build a retaining wall?
The cheapest types of retaining walls are wood and concrete blocks, followed by concrete and stones or bricks. Each material has benefits and drawbacks, including strength, longevity, and attractiveness.
How deep should the footing be for a retaining wall?
The general rule of thumb is to bury about one-eighth of the height of the wall. For example, if your wall will be three feet (36 inches) tall, the first course of blocks should start five inches below soil level. The gravel base should start three inches below this.
Does retaining wall need footing?
Are concrete footings required? No, the footing is not a structural component of the wall, and acts as a leveling pad for the dry stacked retaining wall blocks. This is one of the benefits of dry stacked gravity retaining wall blocks making them faster and more cost effective to use.
