Garden Steps & Retaining Walls
Turn a slope into usable space
A lot of gardens in and around Cumbernauld are built on a slope. Without the right walls and steps, half the garden ends up as a bank you can’t use.
We design and build retaining walls, steps and raised beds that turn a slope into level, usable space, and hold the ground for good.
Retaining walls that hold
A retaining wall holds back tonnes of wet soil. The face is the easy part. What matters is behind it. For taller walls, we’ll advise at the site visit whether an engineer or a building warrant is needed.
- A proper concrete foundation sized to the wall
- Drainage behind the wall, so water can't build up and push it over
- The right construction for the load it carries
Materials
Natural stone
Facing brick
Rendered block
Terracing and raised beds
Garden steps
Steps need to be comfortable to use, not just to look at. We set the rise and going so the steps feel natural underfoot, match the treads to your patio or paving, and can add lighting to the risers so they’re safe after dark. Curved steps, wide landing steps and steps built into a wall are all possible.
Planning a patio at the same time? See Garden Patios & Paving.
Steps and walls questions
Do I need planning permission for a garden wall?
Most garden walls under 2 metres don’t, or under 1 metre next to a road. Retaining walls holding back a big level change can need a building warrant, and we’ll tell you at the site visit.
How do I know if my existing wall is failing?
Look for bulging, leaning, cracks that are growing, or water seeping through the face. A leaning retaining wall gets worse, not better, so it’s worth having it looked at early.
Can you build steps to match my patio?
Yes. We normally use the same paving for the treads, so the steps and patio read as one.
Got a slope you can’t use? Call 01236 728098 or book a free site visit.