Garden Wall Building Materials: Retaining Blocks Vs Brick Vs Natural Stone

10th July 2026 | 4 mins read | Travis Perkins

What is a retaining wall?

A retaining wall is a structure that is built in a way that it can either hold or retain soil behind it.

By being supported in this way, soil can occupy two different levels on either side of the retaining wall without the ground collapsing.

You may be requested to build a retaining wall in a property’s outdoor space that has a slope, in gardens which often wash away in the rain, or to give a property’s exterior a proper structure.

Creating a retaining wall can also involve the use of several different types of materials, with blocks, bricks, and natural stone popular choices.

Why build retaining walls with blocks?

Choose concrete blocks when building a retaining wall and the structure will deliver the following benefits to customers:

• The retaining wall will be strong and flexible in its design.

• Concrete blocks are durable, able to withstand harsh weather, and can take on heavy loads without collapsing.

• It will be aesthetically pleasing, as concrete blocks are designed with clean appearances and in a way where they can fit together.

• Concrete blocks are available in various colours, textures, and finishes, so a retaining wall can be built to suit many different garden styles.

As a tradesperson, you will also be pleased to hear that concrete blocks are easy to install thanks to their clean designs.

Why build retaining walls with bricks?

Bricks have been used in construction work for centuries, with the material a good choice for building a retaining wall because:

• Brick is a durable material and also presents property owners with a timeless wall design.

• The material is available in various colours, textures, and sizes – you are sure to find a style to suit the outdoor space where a retaining wall is needed.

• Bricks can be arranged in different patterns, providing a visually appealing retaining wall design.

As brick retaining walls do require skilled labour though, take note that as a tradesperson you will need to look at proper alignment and levelling of the structure to achieve a solid foundation and stability.

Why build retaining walls with natural stone?

Natural stone retaining walls help to present something different to a property, for these reasons:

• Every stone in the structure will be different in its texture, pattern, and colour, meaning each retaining wall is truly unique.

• Natural stone helps a retaining wall to blend in with an exterior environment.

• The material is resilient and requires minimal maintenance to keep a wall strong. 

As a tradesperson, you may find a natural stone retaining wall featuring irregular-shaped materials to be an intensive job to complete. The eye-catching results often make the work worth it.

Choosing the right garden wall building materials for your next job

When shopping for garden walling, the choice of material for a retaining wall will largely come down to the appearance that a property owner would like in their property’s outdoor space. 

Concrete block retaining walls are ideal when a garden has a modern and organised design, thanks to their homogenous appearance.

Brick retaining walls will enhance a property’s exterior with a structure that has a classic and refined appearance, while matching any traditional architecture found within a garden too.

Natural stone retaining walls capture attention with their rustic, organic appearance, as well as looking luxurious.

For even more choice, have you seen our guide on how to build a retaining wall with timber railway sleepers? The material is a cost-effective option that gives a structure a clean and modern appearance.

We also encourage you to browse through many more of our gardens and landscaping advice guides. We have so many expert tips for turning every outside space that you work on into wonderful havens for your customers.