Retaining wall block question

[CH4]

I have seen these blocks be used in a few retaining walls around where I live but I asking around I cannot find who makes them or where to buy:



Any pointers would be helpful. Thanks!

 

[PCustoms]

I have seen these blocks be used in a few retaining walls around where I live but I asking around I cannot find who makes them or where to buy:



Any pointers would be helpful. Thanks!

That looks like just about any generic cast block you can get at the big box stores.

Have you looked at any lawn and garden centers?

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Pavestone-Regal-Stone-Pro-18-in-W-x-12-in-L-x-8-in-H-Rock-Face-Pewter-Blend-Concrete-Wall-Block-36-Pieces-36-Face-Ft-Plt-81800/311147892

 

[billconner]

@CH4 - PCustoms is one answer but I have not found the more rectilinear blocks with corners like your image shows at the big box stores. There is probably a concrete products place in your area. Mine is Taylor Concrete Products and besides basic blocks, the sell a lot of products like pavers and retaining wall blocks with more variety than the big box store.

All depends how particular you are on looks.

 

[PCustoms]

@CH4 - PCustoms is one answer but I have not found the more rectilinear blocks with corners like your image shows at the big box stores. There is probably a concrete products place in your area. Mine is Taylor Concrete Products and besides basic blocks, the sell a lot of products like pavers and retaining wall blocks with more variety than the big box store.

All depends how particular you are on looks.

I just gave that as an example, there's probably 5-10 options in stock at whatever store is closest to OP.

Hundreds of options online. For some reason I can't link and image search but reverse searching on this pics will come up with plenty

 

[LXCam]

I’m on my phone so..

That looks like a mortarless block. So search mortarless split face block. Orco would probably lead the way. And an fyi about split face. You need to know what you’re ordering, single sided, double sided, single or double with end.

Also as a victim of orco having products that have an end of life. Make sure you buy a couple spares of each selection and put them away for a rainy day. I did several hundred feet of double sided split face plus 24”sq columns at my other house. I bought a bunch of extra but a few years down the road I wanted to do more but couldn’t source the exact same color.

Product – ORCO

ORCO Block & Hardscape manufacture CMU, Concrete Block, Cinder Block, Paver, Paving stones, Mortars, Blended or Sack Products, OBP, and mortarless, segmental, SRW, retaining walls. Also, Fire rated, STC rated, and, Natural Stone, and Fireplaces. Finishes include honed, burnish, shot blast, split...

www.orco.com

 

[lilredex]

Do a search for "architectural concrete blocks". That should get you started.

 

[larry4406]

I like the look of those block walls.

I will have this project to do after the master bath project is complete.

I bookmarked the following thread for ideas as his project is somewhat local to me (~90 miles) and the product should be available. It does not have the beveled edge that the OP shows.

Retaining wall - progress!!!

Hey all, So finally pulled the trigger on the retaining wall. Here are the before pics. As you can see they wall was failing - rotting out and leaning. Had 11 pallets of block (660) delivered plus caps and corners. Contractor has been busting his ****! Boys and I got rid of all the...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[jack stand]

I'd use the phrase "retaining wall" in your searches.

 

[abfish]

I've always called them modular block.

 

[Crashlandy]

I have seen these blocks be used in a few retaining walls around where I live but I asking around I cannot find who makes them or where to buy:



Any pointers would be helpful. Thanks!

I just finished a wall using GeoStone. Highly recommend GeoStone if you can get it. Whatever you use, make sure you buy more than enough so that the color is consistent for whole project. Work hard on the base so that first course is completely level. After that it's just a matter of stacking on and it goes fast. I'm 64 and used 4" 35 lb blocks rather than 70.

 

[jshillin]

I used Keystone blocks for my wall. It's about 100' long, most of it is 5' tall and then I stepped it down. The block is heavy as hell and the they lock together with fiberglass pins, except for the caps which you glue down. I did it all myself about 5 years ago. My back didn't like it, but I got it done.

 

[andyvh1959]

Any retaining wall is all about the base. Soil itself is not good for a base. Dig down below grade about 6" to 8". Compact/tamp that. Then fill with 3/4" gravel or smaller, compact/tamp that. Then skin the top with limestone chips or simply level in two directions to set the base layer. IF the base is prepped right you'll have a good wall. Backfill the block with gravel at least 6" wide to within 6" from the top of the wall. Then either decorative stone or soil to the level desired. Done that many times here in east central Wisconsin and all are still level as I first set them. Not all crooked and falling over when people just set the blocks on the soil.

 

[kj_mustang]

Belgard is one of the bigger manufacturers. Try their locator to see if there is a distributer near you.
https://www.belgard.com/find-contractor/?fzipcode=

 

[jpcjguy]

I like the look of those block walls.

I will have this project to do after the master bath project is complete.

I bookmarked the following thread for ideas as his project is somewhat local to me (~90 miles) and the product should be available. It does not have the beveled edge that the OP shows.

Retaining wall - progress!!!

Hey all, So finally pulled the trigger on the retaining wall. Here are the before pics. As you can see they wall was failing - rotting out and leaning. Had 11 pallets of block (660) delivered plus caps and corners. Contractor has been busting his ****! Boys and I got rid of all the...

www.garagejournal.com

That is my thread - it is Belgard block - they are nationwide and a great product.

 

[BobnCO]

Yes I would use actual mortorless retaining wall blocks.. just stacking up typical wall block will just fall over sooner or sooner..

 

[finn]

Our local block plant makes them, along with regular blocks.

Menards has a pretty good selection, but that’s something I prefer to buy from a local business. I never checked prices, but I imagine the local plant is cheaper, to boot.

 

[andyvh1959]

Highest retaining wall I've ever put up was only six block high, the stack type with the lip at the back, no pins. Never used any glue. Never had a wall tip or fall over. RIght base underneath and right backfill means no problems. Maybe a much taller wall should have reinforcing bars or pins into the blocks.

 

[billconner]

FWIW, the IRC requires an engineer on retaining walls with unbalanced fill more than 4'.

 

[Motown]

Fendt makes a similar block, its's called split face, if I recall correctly.

 

[engineer2]

Unilock is a brand that is sold nationwide I believe. They used them for our patio and they are holding up well.

 

[MoonRise]

BTW, also check your locale for zoning/building rules and restrictions.

Over 3-4 ft or so often REQUIRES a fence at the wall so someone doesn't fall off the higher level. And might require more 'structure' to anchor the wall into the hillside (such as dead men or geotextile fabric anchoring the wall back into the hillside).

+99 on prep the base WELL.

Clear out any grass and topsoil and get down to firm, compacted, and undisturbed soil (without organic material in it). Apply a good base of compacted stone (crusher run or 3/4" clean). Install the first course of block, leveled well and half buried below Grade. Landscape fabric behind the block, 3/4" stone behind the fabric, and then the fabric behind the stone to keep the soil out of the stone. The stone is the drain layer. Depending on Grade and slope and water flow, you might want to install perf drain pipe in the gravel zone to help the water flow around the wall and not through the wall.

Base prep is the key to a good stable wall.

 

[PCustoms]

Guy asked where to find block, not how to assemble it...

 

[CH4]

Thanks for all of the replies! Looks like this particular block that I am after is called Trinity:

Trinity Photos - Earth Wall Products

earthwallproducts.com

(just found it .. have not called anyone for pricing)

I really like the chamfer edge that presents as a mortar joint but I may have to lower my standards depending on pricing.

 

[BurtEggley]

Check with your landscape supply or paving stone company. They are often less than big box stores, and better quality. Many locales require different arrangements once a wall gets to around 36" tall. I built a 32" wall with a different keystone and it has worked well. Keystone makes some like you questioned about. Take your time to build a good base for them. If you are on good hard soil you can put down gravel and go on top of that but if you are on non-compacted or uneven soil, you may need to do much more before setting the first course. The first course has to be accurate and level or the rest of the wall will be off too. Take your time. If your wall is say 50' long and each block is 14" then the first course is 43 blocks long. Figure that you will take 10 to 30 minutes to set each first block unless you prep really well. That is 8 to 24 hours of work on the first course. The remaining courses go quicker.

If you decide on a conventional concrete and rebar filled wall, then there are other skills that are needed.