A Natural Fit: Family Adds Character to a Coastal Maine Property with Novum Wall

Important Note

Retaining wall requirements vary by location and project conditions. Before beginning a retaining wall project, consult local construction officials about applicable building codes, permits, and regulations. Depending on the wall's height, loads, slopes, water conditions, and other site factors, engineering assistance may be necessary. Project owners considering a do-it-yourself installation should first confirm that the project is appropriate for that approach and meets all applicable requirements. For additional guidance, read Should I Hire a Retaining Wall Engineer for My Novum Wall Project? from the Novum Wall Knowledge Hub.

The Challenge: A Retaining Wall That Complements a Coastal Landscape

For Bob and Ann Grout, creating a retaining wall at their Harpswell, Maine, coastal residence meant finding a solution that balanced appearance, construction efficiency, and the demands of a coastal setting. Bob, a retired civil engineer who continues to work in appraisal, initially explored the cost of building a natural stone wall. During his research, he discovered Novum Wall and compared the manufactured system with traditional stone construction.

“I started to price out an actual stone wall, found Novum, and priced it out,” Bob explained. “And it [Novum Wall] was a much more efficient, faster build, and better quality build.”

While installation efficiency and durability were key considerations as the Grouts selected their wall solution, they also prioritized complementing their existing landscape. Natural rock was already a prominent feature of the property, so a manufactured wall would need to look at home alongside it.

The Solution: Efficient Construction with Natural Stone Character

Bob and Ann selected Novum Wall for its natural appearance and installation advantages, working with their local Novum Wall producer, Redi-Rock of Central Maine, to bring their vision to life. The gravity retaining wall needed to feel like a natural extension of the surrounding landscape. The property’s existing stone features provided a clear design direction: a wall with the character of weathered fieldstone rather than the uniform appearance of conventional concrete.

Novum Wall’s Alpine texture was selected for its ability to blend with the property’s existing natural stone features. Alpine’s weathered finish is inspired by the stacked fieldstone walls found throughout the European countryside. That character proved to be a natural fit for Harpswell's rocky coastal landscape, while adding a timeless, understated look to the Grout residence.

The Project: Making an Installation a Family Affair

The execution of the Grouts' wall project was the product of three key ingredients: Bob’s background and skillset, handy family members, and a Kubota subcompact tractor. As a former civil engineer, Bob was well-suited to lead the installation efforts. He spent the majority of his time at the controls of the tractor, while his wife, son, and his son’s girlfriend guided the blocks into place. With just four people and the tractor, the wall was completed in only two days.

With the sloped installation, the project required special attention to the conditions behind the wall. The Grouts incorporated gravel and placed a course of block below the existing grade to ensure stability. As with any retaining wall, foundation preparation, drainage, and installation details should be determined according to the site's conditions and the project's engineering requirements.

The curved layout was another important element of this project. Novum Wall offers a larger-format block than dry-cast alternatives while remaining manageable in size. This allows for features ranging from sweeping concave or convex curves to sharp corners. In the case of this project, the wall’s curve effectively established the corner of the Grouts’ upper property tier, bordering their residence.

The Outcome

One of the Grouts' favorite aspects of Novum Wall is how convincingly it resembles natural stone. As hoped, the Alpine texture rugged, stone-like aesthetic blended seamlessly with the natural rock outcroppings dotting the slope of their waterfront property.

“The aesthetic of this rock is really beautiful. It is concrete, but you'd never know. And it blends so nicely with the natural rock.” –Ann Grout

Friends and neighbors have stopped by to ask what the wall is made of, often expressing surprise when they learn it's precast concrete. That reaction reflects what Alpine is designed to achieve: the classical character of weathered stacked fieldstone in a modular retaining wall system suited to virtually any landscape.

For the Grout family, Novum Wall delivered the perfect combination for their coastal application:

• Knockout natural aesthetics. Deeply grooved face textures created the look of Old World stacked fieldstone and integrated nicely with the existing rock features.
• Versatile design capability. The manageably-sized blocks allowed the wall to feature a sweeping curved design that complements the property.
• Highly efficient installation. With just a subcompact tractor and a crew of four, the Grouts' wall was installed in just two days.

The finished gravity retaining wall looks and feels right at home on Maine’s rugged coastline, demonstrating Novum Wall’s aesthetic advantages, design flexibility, and construction benefits. The Grouts’ project highlights how Novum Wall can help homeowners achieve a natural stone look while simplifying construction and accommodating distinctive landscape designs.

Ready to make Novum Wall part of your own landscape? Request pricing from your local producer to take the first step toward a retaining wall that combines the character of natural stone with versatile design capabilities and efficient construction.