Structural Retaining Wall Installation & Decorative Sitting Wall Installation 
Myrtle Beach, SC to Charleston, SC

  At Legacy Hardscapes & Restoration, we are the highly specialized experts in designing and installing both robust structural retaining walls and aesthetically pleasing decorative sitting walls. We understand that these elements are more than just functional barriers; they are integral components of landscape architecture that manage topography, expand usable space, enhance safety, and define the character of your outdoor environment. Our unwavering commitment to engineering excellence, durable materials, and meticulous craftsmanship ensures that every wall we build is a testament to both strength and beauty, designed to withstand the unique challenges of the South Carolina coastal region. We proudly serve the entire stretch from the dynamic areas of Myrtle Beach, SC, through the charming lowcountry towns of Pawleys Island and Murrells Inlet, to the historic urban landscape of Charleston, SC, including North Myrtle Beach, Georgetown, Mount Pleasant, Isle of Palms, Sullivan's Island, James Island, and Johns Island. This broad geographic reach and our dual expertise are fundamental to our strategy for achieving top rankings in Google SEO searches.

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Structural Retaining Walls: Engineering Solutions for Complex Topography

For properties with significant grade changes, unstable slopes, or the need to create level building pads, a structural retaining wall is a critical piece of infrastructure. At Legacy Hardscapes & Restoration, we possess the deep engineering knowledge and construction expertise to build walls that effectively manage immense lateral earth pressures and provide long-term stability.

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Our structural retaining wall services include:

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• Engineered Design & Compliance: We understand that a structural retaining wall is a major investment requiring precise engineering. We collaborate closely with licensed civil and geotechnical engineers to design walls that adhere strictly to local building codes (such as those based on the International Building Code, which governs retaining wall design for height, surcharge, and drainage), including specific regulations in Charleston, SC, and Horry County. This ensures the wall's stability against soil pressures, surcharge loads (from buildings, driveways, or heavy equipment), and even seismic considerations in some areas. For walls over a certain height (often 4 feet, but varies by jurisdiction), engineered plans and permits are mandatory.

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• Advanced Materials & Construction: We select the most appropriate materials and construction methods based on the project's scale, soil conditions (which can range from sandy in Myrtle Beach to more expansive clays near Charleston), and aesthetic goals. Our expertise includes:

  • Segmental Retaining Walls (SRWs): Highly versatile and popular, these walls use interlocking concrete blocks reinforced with geogrid for stability, ideal for residential and light commercial applications.

  • Gravity Walls: Relying on their mass for stability, often built with large blocks or natural stone.

  • Reinforced Concrete Walls: Cast-in-place concrete walls with steel rebar reinforcement for maximum strength and load-bearing capacity, suitable for heavy commercial applications or significant height requirements.

  • Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) Walls: Large-scale systems that combine facing elements with layers of reinforcing geogrid extending into the retained soil mass, used for very tall or heavily loaded walls.

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• Slope Stabilization & Erosion Control: Our structural walls effectively halt erosion, stabilize unstable slopes, and transform unusable sloped terrain into functional, level areas for landscaping, building foundations, parking lots, or outdoor amenities. This is particularly valuable in areas like Mount Pleasant or James Island where maximizing usable land is critical.

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• Integrated Drainage Systems: Proper drainage behind and within a retaining wall is absolutely critical for its long-term performance and to prevent hydrostatic pressure buildup, which can lead to wall failure. We integrate comprehensive drainage solutions, including perforated pipe, granular backfill, and geocomposite drains, to ensure efficient water management.

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• Load-Bearing Capability: We specialize in walls designed to support significant overhead loads, such as driveways, parking areas, or even building foundations, ensuring safety and compliance for commercial and high-end residential projects.

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  Decorative Sitting Walls: Defining Spaces & Enhancing Comfort

Beyond their structural necessity, walls can also serve as beautiful and functional elements that enhance your outdoor living experience. Our decorative sitting walls are designed to define spaces, provide informal seating, and add architectural interest to patios, gardens, and outdoor kitchens.

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Our decorative sitting wall services include:

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• Aesthetic Versatility: We offer a vast array of materials and finishes to seamlessly integrate with your existing landscape and home's style. Options include natural stone (such as granite or bluestone for caps), brick, concrete block with various textures and colors, or even stucco finishes. This allows for creating a cohesive look, whether rustic, traditional, or contemporary.

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• Integrated Seating: Sitting walls are designed to a comfortable height (typically 18-24 inches) to provide ample, permanent seating around fire pits, outdoor kitchens, or patio areas. This maximizes usable space and eliminates the need for movable furniture, especially beneficial in compact outdoor areas in places like Sullivan's Island or urban Charleston.

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• Defining Outdoor Rooms: Sitting walls can subtly delineate different zones within your outdoor space – separating a dining area from a lounge area, enclosing a fire pit, or creating a cozy garden nook. This adds structure and a sense of enclosure to open spaces.

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• Edge Definition for Plantings: They provide a clean, attractive edge for planting beds, raised gardens, or tree rings, simplifying landscaping and maintenance.

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• Integrated Features: We can seamlessly integrate features such as low-voltage LED lighting (for ambiance and safety), planters, or even water features directly into the design of your decorative walls, adding multi-functional appeal. Trends for 2025 in outdoor living in coastal South Carolina show a strong preference for integrated features and lighting within sitting walls to enhance evening use and aesthetics.

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• Coastal-Resilient Materials: We select materials that are highly resistant to the specific environmental stressors of the South Carolina coast, including salt air, high humidity, and intense UV radiation, ensuring your decorative walls remain beautiful for years with minimal maintenance.

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  Legacy Hardscapes & Restoration is your trusted partner for constructing exceptional structural retaining walls and charming decorative sitting walls. We are dedicated to delivering solutions that are not only robust and compliant but also enhance the beauty, functionality, and value of your property, perfectly suited to the unique characteristics of the South Carolina coast. Contact us today to discuss your wall project and transform your outdoor space.

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