Retaining walls built of stone or brick are the traditional style and usually blend nicely into their surrounding landscape. The question is, though: are these really the best materials for the job ...

Q: I’m thinking of buying a dilapidated old frame house in the country. It has a stone foundation that seems to me to be too close to the ground. Are stone foundations adequate and strong? Is it ...

A concrete block retaining wall can last for decades — but only if it’s built correctly. In this video, we show step by step how we built a block retaining wall the right way, from prep and base work ...

Justin Grow is quick to haul out the old chestnut that Rome wasn't built in a day -- and neither was the concrete wall in front of his home. The wall wasn't even built in a summer -- as he initially ...

Q: It’s time to landscape my backyard, which is currently dirt. I have a 2-foot-high bluff where I’d like to put a retaining wall, but I’m uncomfortable with masonry work. I’ve seen stackable blocks ...

Lowe Larretta is former lead editor for Forbes Home, covering all things related to home improvement and good design. She previously worked in the decor and lifestyle spaces for digital publishers ...