Enhancing Your Retaining Wall with Cap Stones and Lighting

A retaining wall does more than hold back soil—it shapes your landscape, defines outdoor living areas, and contributes to the curb appeal and value of your property. While strength and stability are essential, the final details—like cap stones and integrated lighting—can make the difference between a basic retaining wall and one that’s truly standout.

At Double A Services, we believe your retaining wall should be both functional and beautiful. Here’s how cap stones and lighting bring lasting value, visual appeal, and safety to your outdoor space.

What Are Cap Stones?

Cap stones are the final layer of stone or concrete block that sits on top of a retaining wall. While they’re often chosen for their decorative appearance, cap stones serve a vital role in protecting the structural integrity of the wall beneath. They act as both a functional barrier and an aesthetic enhancement, giving your retaining wall a clean, finished look.

Key Benefits of Cap Stones

Whether you're installing a new retaining wall or upgrading an older one, choosing the right cap stones is a crucial part of the design process. At Double A Services, we help homeowners across Central Ohio select cap styles that complement their landscape and support long-term durability.

1. Protection from Water Infiltration

Ohio’s seasonal weather—especially rain and snow—can be hard on retaining walls. Without proper protection, moisture seeps between blocks and accelerates deterioration.

• • • Cap stones help divert water away from the interior of the wall
    • They prevent freeze-thaw damage by reducing moisture retention in colder months
    • When paired with proper drainage, cap stones reduce long-term maintenance and repair needs

2. A Polished, Professional Finish

Cap stones provide a seamless transition between your wall and the surrounding landscaping. They’re available in a variety of colors, textures, and edge styles to match the overall aesthetic of your property.

• • • Match with segmental block walls, natural stone, or boulder walls
    • Tie into adjacent paver patios, walkways, or garden beds for design continuity
    • Select flat, tumbled, chiseled, or bullnose edge profiles based on your style

Adding cap stones is an easy way to elevate curb appeal, especially if your wall is visible from the street or anchors your outdoor living space.

3. Functional Seating and Surface Area

In many modern landscapes, cap stones serve a dual purpose. Wider caps can extend several inches past the face of the wall, creating a low bench or casual sitting area.

• • • Ideal for walls surrounding patios, firepits, or outdoor kitchens
    • Great for tiered landscapes where seating is limited
    • Adds comfort and utility without the need for additional furniture

This is especially useful in smaller backyards or built-in entertainment spaces.

4. Reinforces Structural Integrity

When installed correctly—with adhesive and edge alignment—cap stones help hold the wall together and prevent shifting over time.

• • • Acts as a locking top course to reduce movement
    • Minimizes damage from foot traffic, mowers, or accidental impact
    • Improves long-term stability when used in combination with geogrid reinforcement and drainage systems

This makes cap stones an essential feature for walls expected to handle additional loads, such as those supporting steps, raised beds, or deck areas.

Custom Cap Stone Solutions from Double A Services

Every retaining wall we construct is built with attention to detail—including the cap stones. We offer:

• • A wide selection of natural and manufactured cap materials
  • Options that match or contrast surrounding hardscapes for visual effect
  • Expert installation that ensures clean lines, secure adhesion, and long-term performance

Whether your project includes a retaining wall, paver walkway, landscape lighting, or a full outdoor living area, we design every element to work together seamlessly.

Let us help you select the right finishing touches to turn your wall into a standout feature in your landscape.

The Impact of Retaining Wall Lighting

Outdoor lighting is more than an aesthetic upgrade—it also improves safety and usability. When incorporated directly into your retaining wall design, it becomes a subtle yet powerful feature.

Advantages of Integrated Wall Lighting

Retaining walls can do more than hold back soil—they can also light the way. Integrating low-voltage lighting into your retaining wall is a subtle yet powerful upgrade that improves both the safety and appearance of your outdoor space. Whether you're building a new wall or upgrading an existing one, professionally installed lighting brings year-round benefits for homeowners across Central Ohio.

Safety and Visibility at Night

One of the most important functions of integrated lighting is to make your yard safer and easier to navigate after dark.

• • Ideal for retaining walls that border steps, walkways, driveways, or sloped grades
  • Illuminates edges, transitions, and elevation changes to reduce tripping hazards
  • Helps guests and family members move confidently through outdoor areas
  • Enhances security by increasing visibility around your property’s perimeter

For homes in rural or wooded areas around Marengo, Galena, or Mount Gilead, this added visibility can also help deter unwanted wildlife or trespassers.

Showcases Your Landscape

Wall lighting doesn’t just make your yard safer—it makes it look incredible after sunset.

• • Up-lighting draws attention to natural stone textures, wall patterns, or architectural features
  • Wall-wash fixtures create an even glow across long retaining walls or boulder features
  • Accents nearby planting beds, ornamental trees, or xeriscaping for added depth and drama

If you’ve invested in professional landscaping, lighting ensures it doesn’t disappear when the sun goes down.

Creates Ambiance for Outdoor Living Areas

Wall lighting also plays a major role in shaping the atmosphere of your space—especially if your yard is used for entertaining, dining, or relaxation.

• • Soft lighting provides a cozy backdrop for firepit seating areas, outdoor kitchens, or composite decks
  • Helps define space and mood, especially when paired with paver patios, pergolas, or retaining walls with built-in seating
  • Optional zone-controlled lighting systems allow you to adjust intensity or colors based on the occasion

Whether you're hosting a summer gathering or winding down with your family, the right lighting makes your outdoor space more enjoyable and usable at any hour.

Energy-Efficient and Smart Technology Options

We use premium lighting systems from trusted brands like Kichler and FX Luminaire, which are known for their:

• • Energy-efficient LED fixtures that reduce electricity usage and last for years
  • Low-voltage installation that minimizes power draw and meets safety codes
  • Smart technology integration for app-based control, scheduling, and automation
  • Weather-resistant materials designed for Ohio’s variable climate

These modern systems offer convenience, style, and long-term savings—especially when included as part of a broader landscape lighting plan.

Professionally Installed by Double A Services

At Double A Services, we specialize in hardscaping and landscape construction that goes beyond the basics. Our team can:

• • Design and install wall lighting during new retaining wall construction
  • Retrofit lighting into existing walls where access and structure allow
  • Integrate lighting seamlessly with other services like walkways, driveways, outdoor kitchens, and planting beds

We handle the full project—from electrical planning to fixture placement to final installation—ensuring your lighting looks great and performs reliably.

Let your landscape shine, day and night.

Style + Function: The Complete Package

When we design a retaining wall for your property in Marengo or surrounding towns, we don’t just think about holding soil—we think about how the wall contributes to your entire outdoor space.

We regularly pair cap stones and lighting with:

• • Natural stone retaining walls for timeless, rustic appeal
  • Segmental block walls with smooth or textured caps for a modern finish
  • Boulder retaining walls complemented by discreet LED lighting
  • Tiered retaining systems with capstone seating and path lighting
  • Walls surrounding patios, pool decks, or firepits to elevate the whole landscape design

Every wall we build is engineered for stability and crafted for curb appeal. Our team ensures that every element, from grading and drainage to planting and landscape lighting, works together seamlessly.

Proudly Serving Central Ohio

Double A Services provides retaining wall construction and landscape enhancement throughout:

• • Marengo
  • Sunbury
  • Galena
  • Johnstown
  • Mount Gilead
  • Delaware
  • Surrounding communities in Knox, Delaware, and Morrow Counties

Let’s Finish Your Wall the Right Way

Request a Quote for Retaining Wall Enhancements

If you're building a new wall—or want to upgrade an existing one—Double A Services is ready to help. From structural design to finishing details like cap stones and lighting, we bring local expertise and professional craftsmanship to every job.

We proudly serve Marengo and the surrounding Central Ohio region with expert retaining wall construction, hardscaping, landscape lighting, and complete outdoor design. Contact us today to request an estimate or schedule your consultation.