Are you in Bergen County and looking for a rock or retaining wall designed and built to enhance the beauty of your home or business? If, so, please consider Onorato Landscaping. Marc Onorato is the founder and president of the firm. He has the innate skill of being able to listen to your wants, desires, and dreams and the ability to develop concepts and designs that bring them to life at almost every size budget.
Some people and businesses choose to have Onorato produce the entire landscaping and hardscaping project at once. Marc and the team aim to exceed your expectations throughout the project. However, if your situation demands that you develop your project so that you can spread your budget over several seasons, we understand that, too. Marc knows that unexpected expenses—a medical bill, college tuition, car expense—can impact your budget and your plan.
Your project can be phased, and each phase will look completed. In the end, each phase will tie together as if it was done all at once. For example, you could start with a concrete block retainer wall to replace your current and dilapidated railroad tie wall. Next season may include a patio that blends as if it was constructed at the same time as the retaining wall. New season…schedule the next project; perhaps a rock wall or a paver walkway. And, finally, finish with some beautiful trees, shrubs and flowers.
Marc has heard complaints about organizations that try to “shame” clients into projects that could break the bank. No matter the project size or the number of phases, you can expect innovative design, skilled craftsmanship, friendly service and great pricing.
a beautiful patio with retaining walls and landscaping
You will find retaining walls made from a wide range of materials including concrete, concrete with stone veneer, concrete block, brick, stone, boulders, wood and gabion (a wirework container filled with rock, broken concrete, or other material). Each has its pros and cons:
Concrete – Concrete is fast, easy to pour, and strong. It does require a skilled designer to avoid looking “industrial” (Marc Onorato is that skilled designer and has that skill). Quality concrete retaining walls require skilled masons who understand the need for proper footings and drainage that will prevent cracking. If designed and built correctly, concrete walls can provide a modern yet sleek look and feel.
Concrete with stone veneer – These have the same pros and cons of concrete. They take a bit longer to build; the concrete must be poured and allowed to set prior to the construction of the stone veneer. When completed, your retaining wall will look as if it is through-and-through stone. It’s a win-win—the strength of concrete and the beauty of stone.
Pre-cast stackable block –Stackable concrete block gives the same elegance as pavers with an even look and symmetry of the same sized and finished blocks. These walls are relatively easy to build and are excellent when curves are required. Pre-cast stackable block can be used to give your yard any architectural style—blended with your current theme, contemporary or even a Spanish style. Stackable blocks come in dozens of colors, sizes, shapes and finishes. This flexibility has made them the most popular material for retaining walls.
Retaining Wall and Patio with Landscaping and Pavers
Brick – Brick has many of the advantages of concrete block. Retaining walls of brick are strong and durable, and they can easily accommodate bends and curves. They are labor intensive and require skilled masons to build the proper footing and drainage to avoid cracking (brick does not breathe). There are many traditional homes and businesses in Bergen County where a brick retaining wall can make the property shine.
Stone – Stone can come in many types, colors and can be natural or cut. They offer the same advantages of brick and must be designed correctly to include proper drainage to avoid cracking. If your home has the stone facing or colonial architectural that is common in Bergen County, stone may be the perfect material for you. It can enhance the beauty of your property while delivering a durable wall.
rock retaining wall gives this Bergen County homeowner more level ground in their back yard
Boulders – Boulders can be stacked relatively quickly. Obviously, multi-ton boulders require heavy equipment to place them. However, their weight will keep them in place without having to worry about frost. They can be designed to enhance the natural look of your property. If you place gravel behind the boulders to form a blind ditch, you can control the flow of water; a common problem with boulder walls. If your Bergen County home or business has a mid-century or colonial architecture, a boulder retaining wall can accent it perfectly.
Wood – Although most wooden retaining walls are made from railroad ties, some are made from timbers that are resistant to rotting. Wooden retaining walls, when designed in the right setting, can be stunning and there’s the added benefit of quick and easy building. A properly built wooden retaining wall will have a waterproof sheet between both the back and bottom of the retaining wall and gravel footing and backing to keep water away from the wood. The gravel footing and backing keep the water flowing away from the wood, too. The drawback of a wooden retaining wall is its lifespan. No matter how well you design and construct one, it does not the lifespan of stone or concrete
If you have a steep incline in your backyard, a retaining wall can beautify it while giving you more living space
Every type of material has its pros and cons, and a big part of the equation is your specific taste. You may love concrete blocks and hate stone while someone else loves wood and hates brick. Taste is an individual thing, and Onorato works closely with you to achieve your goals. The company uses your chosen materials to create a design that results in the best for your yard or place of business. Following are the types of materials commonly used in stone and retaining walls with some pros and cons of each.
rock wall constructed of natural stone
Natural stones – The pro is it’s a natural look. The cons are that natural stone walls need more weeding than those made of concrete or pavers. Over time, seasonal weather changes may cause rise and fall in some areas, requiring some maintenance
Natural stones in concrete – You still have the look of naturally shaped stone, but with the structure of concrete with a footing below the frost line. The additional footing and concrete make this wall more expensive than natural stone laid on the earth. The benefit is that natural stone in concrete walls require less maintenance and weeding.
Pre-cut stone – These walls can be built on the ground or with a footing and have the same pros and cons as the corresponding walls above. These stones have squared edges that allow for a tight fit and finish. Some people love this tidy look; others feel that a rock wall should be made of naturally looking rocks. As mentioned earlier, it is all a matter of personal taste.
Concrete wall with stone veneer –
These are quicker and easier to build and give you the same advantages as walls with footing and concrete. The veneers can be made of natural stone or pre-cut stone with square edges.
Pre-cast stackable block – These can give you an excellent fit and finish, can be crafted to curve and offer a variety of looks from Spanish to contemporary to a blend with your current look. Concrete blocks cannot be used for walls over four feet tall.
Marc Onorato, the founder and president of Onorato Landscaping, knows that people, who want a stone or retaining wall, want it to be both functional and decorative. They want to have it completed in a timely, efficient and cost-effective way. Marc Onorato has a talent for listening to people and developing their ideas. He designs a stone or retaining wall that does its job, looks great and is a real value.
His philosophy is to exceed his customer’s expectation at every stage. Onorato Landscaping never cuts corners, and their high level of service is always delivered in a friendly manner. Marc is dedicated to constant improvement, attending continuing education courses that enhance the knowledge and skills he offers to the homeowners and businesses of Bergen County. Onorato can work with any size budget to help you beautify your property. Marc’s commitment to being the value leader in rock and retaining walls is unshakable!
If you are looking for personalized service, creative and beautiful walls designed by a craftsman who wants your property to look its best—contact Onorato Landscaping. Call Marc at 201-941-1623 and let Onorato give your home or business “Bergen County’s stone or retaining wall bragging rights!”
