Within the world of patio renovation and installation, walls are an interesting topic. Some homeowners – especially those with large spaces and existing walls – tend to love them. Others need a bit of convincing before they’ll even consider a design with walled areas.

No matter which side you fall on, it’s worth thinking about the ways a wall or two might fit into your patio renovation plan. So, I want to use today’s post to explore and explain a handful of details that might help you to think about them in the right way.

Let’s start with the first question that might be on your mind…

Why Use a Landscaping Wall in the First Place?

If you haven’t ever had walls in your backyard, installing one (or more) might seem like a strange notion. After all, they break up lines of sight and can make a property feel smaller or closed off.

In some cases that’s a good thing, particularly if you have a large flat property or one that could use more privacy. Additionally, walls can serve several purposes like:

  •       Retaining soil on a sloped property, preventing erosion and creating more usable spaces
  •       Setting boundaries between different parts of a property such as a dining area
  •       Providing extra seating for parts of a patio that are often used to host visitors
  •       Adding something unique to a patio design with added texture or contrast

Although these are the most common uses we see, walls are like any design feature in that they fit some properties better than others.

Not All Walls Need to be Great

Just as there are different uses for walls, it should be noted that they come in different shapes and sizes. While homeowners tend to think of them as being high, thick barriers that cut off visibility and sunlight, many of the walls we build tend to be smaller.

For instance, retaining walls and seating walls are usually just a few feet high. That means they can help structurally or aesthetically without dominating space. In fact, some of the “walls” we build around walkways or flower beds measure up less than eighteen inches and feel more like edging than obstacles.

You might need something smaller or larger for your patio renovation project. What matters isn’t the specific size, but recognizing you have different options to work with.

The Right Walls Can Add Something Special to Your Patio Renovation Project

In some cases, you might need a wall to simply preserve the layout of your backyard. We often build them for retention, or find ourselves replacing a wall that was already on a homeowner’s property. But in many cases they’re installed just because they look great or make an outdoor space more usable.

We have seen again and again that a little bit of walling can transform a space into something different. For example, an outdoor kitchen or dining area might feel too open without one. With a wall you have a beautiful room that lets you enjoy the sun. Without it, you feel like you’re just eating in the backyard.

We are conditioned to enjoy good weather, but also to feel more comfortable in defined spaces. Building a low outdoor wall within your patio is a great way to get the best of both worlds.

Materials Matter for Patio Walls

You could argue that choosing the right materials is crucial to any part of a patio design project and I wouldn’t disagree. But when you’re building walls it’s especially important to buy from high-quality manufacturers.

This is partly because the best companies (like Belgard, who supply most of our walls) give you great style and texture options. That makes it easy to match the existing elements of your property or patio while sticking to your design inspirations. Walls are obviously a visual focal point, so you want them to feel like they fit perfectly with your other elements.

It’s also the case that quality materials last longer. Whether you’re choosing natural stone, brick, concrete, or even something made from boulders you need to ensure your wall will be structurally sound. Otherwise you could end up repairing the same sections again and again.

Installing Patio Walls is an Art

There are several technical factors to consider when adding a wall to a patio (or replacing one that was already there). Naturally, local zoning might offer certain guidelines or restrictions. Drainage has to be considered so the wall doesn’t collapse. And it needs to be placed in such a way that it doesn’t represent a tripping risk.

But even beyond those details, having an experienced installation team is important. They can make sure you have clean angles, complementary colors, and tight spacing. All of these help your patio walls to look premium and last longer than they otherwise would.

You should also remember that patio walls are typically being placed alongside other features. You might opt for new pavers for your walkway, under cap lighting, or something else to complete the perfect look and feel. Hiring an experienced team makes it more likely they’ll get the details right.

If a patio renovation team makes it sound like installing or replacing a wall will be simple, keep looking for more quotes. You’ll want to know they’re going to take the job seriously. It helps if they have some recent samples in their portfolio, too.

Want the Best Patio Renovation Team on Your Side?

At Stefano’s Landscaping and Patio Installation, we’ve spent 20+ years gaining the trust of our customers and neighbors. Look through our online portfolio and you won’t just find stunning designs and transformations… you’ll also see dozens of homeowners who are happy they chose to work with our team.

If you’d like to know more about what we can do to help transform your backyard into a space your family will love, contact us today. We are happy to offer you a free consultation at your home – the perfect opportunity to get a quote and have all your patio renovation questions answered.