Natural Stone Retaining Walls in Chattanooga
Dry-stacked or mortared stone walls with a timeless, natural look. Free on-site estimates from local, licensed contractors across Chattanooga and North Georgia.
- Free on-site estimate
- Licensed & insured
- No obligation
About natural stone retaining walls
Natural stone walls are built from quarried fieldstone, flagstone or cut stone. They can be dry-stacked, with each stone fitted by hand, or set in mortar over a concrete footing for a more formal look.
Stone fits right in on wooded mountain lots and older neighborhoods, and it ages well. It takes more skill and labor than block, so it usually costs more, but many homeowners feel the look is worth it.
Good fit for
- Landscaped yards, garden terraces and planting beds
- Wooded and mountain lots where you want a natural look
- Older homes with existing stone walls or foundations
- Low to medium-height walls
- Stone veneer over a concrete wall for taller structural walls
The process
What the work usually includes
Stone selection
Choose a stone type and color, such as Tennessee fieldstone or sandstone, that fits your home and budget.
Footing or base
Dry-stack walls sit on a compacted gravel base. Mortared walls need a poured concrete footing.
Hand-laid courses
Stones are fitted and battered back into the slope so the wall leans into the hill for strength.
Drainage
Gravel and drain pipe behind the wall, plus weep holes in mortared walls, let water out.
Is natural stone stronger than block?
A well-built stone wall is very durable, but for tall structural walls, engineered block or concrete with a stone veneer is often the better choice.
Dry-stacked or mortared?
Dry-stacked walls drain naturally and flex with freeze-thaw. Mortared walls look more formal but need a solid footing and weep holes for drainage.
Related services
All services
Boulder Retaining Walls Large boulders set with heavy equipment for a rugged, natural hillside wall. Learn more → 
Block Retaining Walls Interlocking concrete block walls: strong, clean-looking and the most popular choice for homes. Learn more → 
Retaining Wall Installation New walls that hold back slopes, level out yards and stop soil from washing away. Learn more → Natural Stone Retaining Walls is available across the Chattanooga area, including: