The most cost-effective permanent retaining wall for most sites: steel posts set in bored piles, with concrete or timber panels between. Terraced gardens, level building platforms and secured boundaries — built to last.
How a king post wall is built
- Piles are bored at regular centres — typically 1.5m to 3m — along the wall line.
- Steel king posts (universal columns) are set and concreted into the piles, plumb and aligned.
- Infill panels — precast concrete or treated timber — are dropped in between the post flanges as excavation proceeds.
- Drainage is installed behind the wall so water pressure never builds against it.
Where king post walls win
- Terracing sloping gardens and driveways into usable, level space.
- Creating level building platforms on hillside plots.
- Retaining excavated faces for basements and undercrofts.
- Boundary retention between properties at different levels.
- Yards, compounds and highways works needing robust permanent retention.
King post vs the alternatives
| King post wall | Economical up to ~4m retained height; tidy finish; needs self-supporting ground during excavation. |
|---|---|
| Sheet piling | Wins where groundwater is high or a watertight, unbroken wall is needed; industrial appearance. |
| Mass concrete / blockwork | Only competitive for low walls under ~1.2m; heavy excavation and cost above that. |
| Contiguous piled wall | For deep basements and heavy surcharges; significantly higher cost. |
Design and heights
Standard cantilever king post walls retain up to around 4 metres. Beyond that, ground anchors or tie-backs extend the range. Every wall is installed to a structural engineer's design — yours or one we arrange — accounting for retained height, slope surcharge, drainage and any structures above. Timber-faced walls suit gardens; precast concrete panels suit driveways, compounds and anything permanent-critical.
Cost guide
Garden schemes typically price from around £450 to £900 per linear metre depending on height, ground and access — usually well under an equivalent reinforced concrete wall once excavation and muck-away are counted. Send photos, levels and a rough length for a quick budget figure.
Where we work
Our teams cover the whole North West, with local crews in:
Frequently asked questions
What is a king post wall?
Steel posts are concreted into bored piles at regular centres, and panels of precast concrete or timber are dropped in between to retain the ground. It is one of the most economical permanent retaining systems for heights up to around four metres.
When is a king post wall better than sheet piling?
King post walls are usually cheaper for permanent walls on dry, self-supporting ground and look tidier once finished. Sheet piling wins where ground water is high or an unbroken watertight wall is needed. We advise per site.
How high can a king post retaining wall go?
Standard cantilever designs retain up to about four metres. Beyond that, tie-backs or anchors can extend the range. Every wall we build is installed to a structural engineer's design.
Do king post walls suit sloping garden plots?
Yes - they are a favourite for terracing sloping plots in hilly parts of the North West, creating level building platforms and usable gardens without mass concrete walls.