How to
Planning a garden wall
5 min read
What foundation does a garden wall need?
A free-standing garden wall needs a concrete strip footing wider than the wall and deep enough to sit below the influence of frost and seasonal ground movement, on firm undisturbed ground. Any wall retaining soil should be designed for the load, with drainage behind it.
Foundations first
A wall is only as good as what it stands on. Dig down to firm, undisturbed ground and cast a concrete strip wider than the wall itself. Depth depends on ground conditions and what the wall does — clay soils and nearby trees both push it deeper.
Free-standing walls
Keep the wall proportionate to its height: taller walls need greater thickness, piers, or both, and a capping to shed water. Movement joints matter on longer runs.
Retaining walls
Retained soil is heavy, especially when saturated. Anything holding back a meaningful bank should be designed rather than guessed, with drainage and weep holes behind it so water pressure cannot build up. If it retains ground near a boundary, structure or driveway, take professional advice.
Damp and capping
Use a damp-proof course where the wall meets the ground and cap the top so water does not soak in from above. Saturated masonry is what frost damages.
Materials list
Bricks or blocks, concrete for the footing, cement and sand, DPC, wall ties, reinforcement where specified, capping or coping. Send us the wall's dimensions and we will help you build the list.
Not sure what to order? Send your measurements through our quote form and we will work the quantities out with you, or call the yard on 01483359553.