COLOR AND TEXTURE ARE NOT SET IN CONCRETE

There was a time when retaining wall choices were set in concrete: gray, drab and boring concrete block. But those days are long gone. Today’s walls are designed to add color and texture to transform the landscape of your yard.

With today’s families turning their backyards into outdoor living spaces, the color and texture of retaining walls can add to the warmth and character of these outdoor retreats.

“There are so many beautiful wall systems to choose from today, it’s worth investing a little time and thought into the type of wall you select,” said Pat Verlodt, president of Color Services & Associates, Inc., and a nationally recognized color consultant. “The right retaining wall is often the perfect note to accent your home.”

Variety is definitely the trend in retaining wall system design. Homeowners can choose from a range of warm, earth-tone hues and natural, rock-like textures that complement the look of their homes. Manufacturers are designing systems with an uncanny resemblance to the best that Mother Nature has to offer. That not only includes color blends developed for regional typography, it includes texture and shape as well.

“Texture and shape are critical when designing a retaining wall system that provides a natural look and feel,” according to Sandro Pippobello, landscape market manager for Anchor Wall Systems. “Some retaining wall products have a 'sameness' to their pattern, and you never seem to achieve that natural, random appearance.”

Highland Stone® from Anchor Wall Systems offers this natural look. The Highland Stone® system is made up of three different-sized blocks that can be installed by a professional contractor to any height requirement. “What has us most excited is the randomness of the pattern when the wall is constructed,” Pippobello states. “Not only are the colors blended and the corners rounded to create a natural look, but the texture pattern is random, which can make all the difference in the world.”

And Verlodt agrees. “Today’s homeowners have so many choices in retaining walls, they’ve become a popular choice in landscaping,” he says. “Whether you handle the job yourself, or call in a professional to do a bigger project, the color and texture options open up a world of possibilities for the landscape around your home.”

SIDEBAR: Tips On Selecting Colors.

Verlodt offers the following tips for selecting appropriate colors for your retaining wall:

1.      Choose colors that complement the existing surroundings and color scheme of your house.

2.      Use plantings to add contrast if the color of the retaining wall is the same as the color of your home.

3.      Choose contrasting colors to match different aspects of your house. For example, select a dark
         retaining wall color to match a dark roof and offset a light-colored house.

4.      Blend color and texture to complement the architectural style of your home. Brighter colors or beveled 
         face styles work with modern homes; a brick home, on the other hand, might be best accented by a 
         straight-faced wall.

5.      Contrast concrete paving stones to the color of the walls. If you have a dark paving stone patio, 
         choose a light, complementary color for the wall.

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