How the New Retaining Wall and Deck Improved This Backyard
The homeowners wanted their Town & Country backyard to feel cleaner, more enjoyable, and better suited for spending time outdoors. One of the biggest issues was the existing railroad-tie retaining wall, which had deteriorated and was ready to be replaced. Because the outdoor area also needed a better connection to the home, the project became an opportunity to address the retaining wall and deck together instead of treating them as separate improvements.
The old railroad ties were removed so a new segmental block retaining wall could take their place. Rebuilding the wall addressed the aging structure while creating a cleaner, more defined edge where the property changes elevation. Wall caps complete the finished appearance, and drainage aggregate was incorporated as part of the retaining-wall construction.
Once the wall replacement was coordinated with the grade, attention could turn to how the homeowners would use the space above it. A new wood deck was built directly off the home to provide a dedicated outdoor area, with a staircase connecting the deck to the backyard below. Planning the deck and retaining wall together helped the two improvements feel like parts of the same backyard rather than separate additions completed at different times.
The completed project included:
- Removal of the deteriorated railroad-tie retaining wall
- New segmental block retaining wall
- Matching wall caps
- Drainage aggregate incorporated into the wall construction
- New wood deck directly off the home
- New staircase connecting the deck and backyard
- Coordinated retaining wall and deck construction
- Completion in approximately two working days
Replacing only the railroad-tie wall would have addressed the aging structure, but it would not have improved how the homeowners connected with and used the backyard. Combining the retaining-wall replacement with the new deck allowed the structural and outdoor-living improvements to work together. The wall now provides a cleaner transition through the grade, while the deck and staircase give the homeowners a practical place to spend time outside and a direct route into the yard.
The finished backyard feels more organized because the major elements now relate to one another. Instead of an aging timber wall beneath an outdoor area that needed updating, the homeowners have a new block retaining wall, wood deck, and staircase that visually and functionally connect the home with the backyard. The project solved the immediate retaining-wall problem while also making the outdoor space more enjoyable to use.