Any property containing retaining walls would help in improving the appearance and the overall design of the homeowner's property. Retaining structures last for a very long time, meaning decades and decades and are helpful in improving drainage. There are a variety of retaining wall structures, which would be further discussed.

Basically, retaining structures are made from concrete, wood or stone. They help to prevent or stop soil or other matter from going through or passing a specific area. Whenever a wall mostly lesser than three feet in height is needed, a retaining structures works well. If the retaining wall needs to be built using wood than it should be considered that treated lumber is very less stable kind of wood whereas concrete walls are solid and durable. These kinds of walls can be built up to 30 inch high thus it is the most durable of all. Stonewalls can be of any height or can be as high it wants to be and if it is built with utmost care and perfection, it can last a long time and maybe forever.

The types of retaining walls can be categorized into gravity walls, which resist the weight of the walls from behind; these walls are built of wood, stone, concrete or any other material. Gravity walls help to improve the stability against the forces of earth. These kinds of walls are mostly of lesser height, they are not taller than 4 feet. Cantilevered walls are another type of retaining structures which are made from reinforced concrete or masonry, should be constructed in a carefully and designed in a proper way. Sheet pile walls are made from vinyl or steel and are preferably used in tight spaces. The other type of retaining walls is the anchored wall.

There are also some additional techniques which one can use in order to retain walls are Gabion mesh, soil nailing, mechanical stabilization and soil strength. Soil strength is used to reduce the amount of pressure that the earth shows against the wall. Gabion mesh is one of the excellent techniques used to control soil erosion. Gabions help in diminishing few of the earth's forces of erosion.

Gabions coming from the name "Gabionne" mean a huge cage, which helps in preventing soil erosion. They are also called as caged ripraps, which can be stacked easily and can be shaped into retaining walls. They become sturdier during the course of time.

These are the factors, which should be kept in mind while building a retaining wall.