What We Do

Retaining Walls That
Work and Look Great

A retaining wall serves a critical structural function — holding back soil, managing grade changes, and protecting your property from erosion and slope failure. But there's no reason it can't also be one of the most beautiful elements in your landscape. At True North, we engineer retaining walls that do both.

Whether you need a small decorative garden wall or a major engineered structure to address significant grade change across your property, our team designs and builds walls that are properly sized, properly drained, and properly built — using armour stone, segmental block, or natural stone to create a finished product that defines and elevates your entire outdoor space.

Armour stone walls — natural boulders stacked and engineered for maximum strength

Segmental block walls — Unilock, Permacon, and AB retaining systems

Natural stone walls — fieldstone and flagstone for an organic, timeless look

Proper drainage — weeping tile, granular backfill, and drainage fabric behind every wall

Structural engineering available for walls over 1.2m where required by Ontario code

Get a Quote About True North

Retaining wall by True North Construction

13+ Years
Wall Builds

Full Scope

What We Build in
Retaining Walls

From small garden borders to major engineered structures — here's the full scope of retaining wall work our team delivers.

Armour Stone Walls

Large natural granite and limestone boulders stacked and tied for maximum structural strength — the most popular retaining wall solution for significant grade changes in Ontario.

Segmental Block Walls

Unilock Siena Stone, Permacon, and Allan Block retaining wall systems — clean, geometric lines available in multiple colours and textures to match your hardscape.

Natural Stone Walls

Dry-stacked fieldstone, limestone, and flagstone walls — an organic, timeless aesthetic that blends naturally into garden settings and rural properties.

Tiered Wall Systems

Multi-tier retaining wall installations that step up significant grade changes — creating level terraces for planting beds, lawns, and outdoor living areas between each tier.

Drainage Systems

Weeping tile, drainage fabric, granular stone backfill, and surface drainage channels — proper drainage behind every wall that ensures it holds for decades.

Engineering & Permits

Structural engineering drawings for walls over 1.2m in height, all required municipal permits, and lot grading certificates — fully managed by our team where required.

How It Works

The Retaining Wall Process

From site assessment to final backfill — here's exactly how we build your retaining wall.

Free Site Assessment

We assess the grade change, soil conditions, drainage, and load requirements — and give you an honest recommendation on wall type, height, and drainage needs.

Design & Engineering

We finalize wall type, material, length, and height — and engage a structural engineer where required by Ontario Building Code before any work begins.

Excavation & Base

We excavate to proper depth, establish base grade, install drainage tile behind the wall zone, and prepare the base course for the wall system.

Wall Construction

Stone or block is placed course by course — with batter angle, tie-back stones or geogrid where required, and granular backfill compacted in lifts behind each course.

Backfill & Finish

Final backfill, grading, cap stone installation, and site clean-up — leaving you with a finished wall that's structurally sound, properly drained, and visually clean.

What Sets Us Apart

Why True North for Your Retaining Wall

Drainage First

Why Most Retaining Walls
Fail Prematurely

The number one cause of retaining wall failure isn't poor stone selection or bad workmanship — it's inadequate drainage. Water that builds up behind a wall creates hydrostatic pressure that eventually pushes the wall forward, regardless of how heavy or well-placed the stone is. We've seen it happen to walls that looked beautiful when they were built.

Every wall we build includes weeping tile at the base, drainage fabric to prevent soil migration, and granular stone backfill compacted in lifts behind every course. It's not optional — it's the reason our walls are still standing and still plumb 15 years after we build them.

Retaining wall and hardscape by True North Construction

Engineering When It Matters

Structural Engineering
for Walls That Need It

Ontario Building Code requires a stamped engineering drawing for retaining walls over 1.2 metres in height — and for good reason. A wall holding back thousands of kilograms of soil needs to be designed for the specific load it's carrying, the soil type behind it, and the surcharge above it.

We work with licensed structural engineers for walls that require it, and we pull all required permits before any work begins. This protects your property, your investment, and your ability to sell your home without surprises. No unpermitted walls. No shortcuts. Ever.

Where We Build

Retaining Walls Built Across Ontario

Based in Oakville, we design and build engineered retaining walls for homeowners across GTA North, cottage country, and all of Ontario.

Oakville Burlington King City Nobleton Aurora Newmarket Vaughan Woodbridge Stouffville Richmond Hill Caledon Barrie Innisfil Collingwood Gravenhurst Huntsville

Retaining
Walls

Retaining Walls That
Work and Look Great

What We Build in
Retaining Walls

The Retaining Wall Process

Why True North for Your Retaining Wall

Why Most Retaining Walls
Fail Prematurely

Structural Engineering
for Walls That Need It

Retaining Walls Built Across Ontario

More Interior Services

Ready for a Retaining Wall
Built to Last?

Retaining Walls ThatWork and Look Great

What We Build inRetaining Walls

The Retaining Wall Process

Why True North for Your Retaining Wall

Why Most Retaining WallsFail Prematurely

Structural Engineeringfor Walls That Need It

Retaining Walls Built Across Ontario

More Interior Services

Ready for a Retaining WallBuilt to Last?

Retaining Walls That
Work and Look Great

What We Build in
Retaining Walls

Why Most Retaining Walls
Fail Prematurely

Structural Engineering
for Walls That Need It

Ready for a Retaining Wall
Built to Last?