Structural
Retaining Walls
Mastering the physics of Richmond's terrain. We design engineered wall systems that defy gravity and manage hydrostatic pressure permanently.
Your Vision,
Our Craftsmanship
We turn outdoor living dreams into spaces you actually want to spend time in — designed around how you live, built with the care your home deserves.
SINCE 2012
Design First
Every project starts with understanding how you want the space to feel — then we design around that vision with 3D renderings and material selections.
Built To Last
Our builds go deeper than what you see on the surface. Proper base prep, drainage, and materials mean your outdoor space stays beautiful for decades.
Certified Crew
ICPI and NCMA certified installers. We hold national certifications so you don't have to worry about whether the work was done right.
Full Service
From the first phone call to the final walkthrough — design, materials, permitting, installation, and warranty. One team, one process, one point of contact.
Professional Grade
Walls over 4ft require Virginia-stamped structural plans. We manage the entire process.
Certified Design
Follows National Concrete Masonry Association standards for segmental gravity walls.
Reinforced Builds
Using high-strength polymers to anchor the wall face into the reinforced soil mass.
Drainage Aggregate
Minimum 12-inch drainage chimney behind every wall face to vent water.
The Gravity Conflict:
Why Standard Walls Lean
A retaining wall isn't just a vertical garden border. It is a structural dam holding back thousands of tons of wet Earth. Most Richmond retaining walls fail because they were built as cosmetic items rather than engineered structures.
When Richmond's clay soil becomes saturated, it exerts Hydrostatic Pressure—water weight that pushes outward with immense force. If your wall doesn't have a specific drainage chimney, that pressure will eventually rotate the wall face forward. Our engineering protocols are specifically designed to address Piedmont Clay dynamics.
How We Build Walls That Last
We build walls that are physically incapable of failing. Our "Stack" includes:
- Integrated French Drains: Perforated PVC pipes at the heel of the wall to move water away before pressure builds.
- Biaxial Geogrid Reinforcement: For any wall over 36 inches, we install layers of high-tensile mesh that extend into the backfill, pinning the wall face to the mountain.
- Over-Sized Footings: We excavate deep trenches filled with 12 inches of compacted #57 stone to create a rigid foundation for the first course.
"Retaining walls are the most dangerous structures in residential construction. We treat every 4-foot wall like it's holding up the neighborhood."
Slope Mastery & Terracing
For properties with steep grades (15% to 45%), a single massive wall is often less effective than a Terraced System. We design multi-tier "steps" that transform unusable hillsides into functional outdoor rooms. This approach reduces the load on any single structure while maximizing your usable square footage.
Material Science: SRW vs Timber
Timber walls rot in the Richmond humidity within 10 years. Our Segmental Retaining Wall (SRW) systems use high-PSI concrete blocks that will last 100+ years. They are physically locked together with pins or mechanical lips, ensuring they never shift.
Wall Logic
Structural Checklist
- ▶ Site Assessment
- ▶ 6" Perforated Drain Pipe
- ▶ Non-Woven Soil Separation
- ▶ 98% Proctor Compaction
- ▶ NCMA Certified Build
The Structural Build Cycle
Bench-Cut
Cutting into the slope to create a level working bench and removing unstable topsoil.
Footing
Installing a 12-inch compacted aggregate base for the first course to reside on.
Set & Level
Setting the base course perfectly level—the most critical step in wall alignment.
Anchor
Installing geogrids and aggregate backfill in compacted 3-inch lifts.
Cap & Seal
Installing high-strength concrete adhesive caps to finish the aesthetics.
Proven
In Situ
“From the first phone call, they made us feel like our project actually mattered. The 3D design blew us away — we could see exactly what our backyard would look like before they broke ground. The finished patio is even more beautiful than the rendering.”
Sarah J.
Short Pump
“Regan walked us through every detail and kept us updated the entire build. No surprises, no stress. Our neighbors can't stop complimenting the new patio and walkway — it completely transformed our outdoor space.”
Robert L.
The Fan District
“We interviewed three companies and Evergreen was the only one who actually listened to what we wanted. The design process was collaborative, the crew was professional, and they finished on schedule. Our pool deck looks like a resort.”
Michael P.
Midlothian (Hallsley)
“The attention to detail is what sets them apart. Everything from the color selection to the lighting design was thoughtful. Our outdoor kitchen has become the center of every family gathering. Best investment we've made in our home.”
Elena R.
Chesterfield
Transform That Slope Into Something Beautiful.
That unusable hillside? It can become tiered living space, a garden, a statement. We'll show you what's possible and build it so it stays that way.