Berlin walls, retaining walls and shoring

Secure your excavation works with Fondabec

Unstable ground conditions, sloping terrain or deep excavation projects often require temporary or permanent retaining solutions to ensure the safety of the work and surrounding structures. At Fondabec, we install Berlin walls, retaining walls in concrete, wood or prefab, as well as shoring systems tailored to your site, across Montreal, Laval, the North Shore and the South Shore.

What projects require a retaining wall or a Berlin wall?

Excavation in urban areas or confined sites

Berlin walls are useful for temporarily stabilising the walls during excavation works. They are particularly suited to sites requiring a quick and efficient solution, while minimising disruption to the immediate environment.

Landscaping on sloping ground or waterfront sites

A retaining wall is needed when the land has to be levelled or stabilised, and it is also a preferred solution for:

Soil erosion or excessive lateral pressure

When the soil erodes or lateral pressure becomes too strong, a retaining wall consolidates the fill and prevents deformation of the foundation or adjacent load‑bearing wall.

What types of retaining walls are available?

Fondabec offers retaining and shoring solutions designed to meet the requirements of industry professionals. Each technique is adapted to your site’s specific conditions to guarantee safety and efficiency, even in the most complex environments.

Berlin wall (temporary or semi‑permanent shoring)

The Berlin wall consists of vertical steel beams (H‑beams) driven into the ground using jacked or driven piles, into which wooden planks or prefabricated panels are inserted. It’s a flexible, quick and economical method for securing walls during excavation.

It has many advantages:

Retaining wall

These types of walls are used for projects in difficult or unstable soils (for example, building construction, infrastructure installation or site stabilisation). In this context, it is often necessary to protect the foundations and secure high‑resistance walls, especially to hold back large masses of earth with driven or jacked piles. These systems are renowned for their strength and their ability to distribute loads evenly, ensuring the stability of structures and land.

Shoring with steel structures

When existing buildings or infrastructures need temporary support (for example, during a foundation replacement or underpinning works), steel structures are the ideal solution. Versatile and robust, they are designed to maintain the stability of your building throughout the critical phases of your project.

Steps of a retaining wall or Berlin wall project

Building a retaining wall or Berlin wall requires rigorous planning and structured execution to ensure the long‑term stability of the structure and the safety of adjacent buildings. At Fondabec, we handle every stage of the project—from site analysis to finishing—in collaboration with engineers and foundation specialists. Here’s how a typical retaining project proceeds:

Site analysis and geotechnical study
Selection of the type of wall according to configuration and load
Engineering plans and specifications
Wall installation (steel, wood, concrete or prefab)
Final inspection and warranty handover.

Need a retaining wall or Berlin wall?

For more than 20 years, Fondabec has assisted property owners in Greater Montreal and across Quebec with their retaining wall, Berlin wall and shoring projects. Whether you’re in Laval, Longueuil, Terrebonne, the North Shore, the South Shore or in rural areas, our team travels quickly to assess your situation and offer the most durable solution.

We hold all the certifications required in excavation, civil engineering and underpinning, and we work with partner engineers and surveyors to ensure the compliance and quality of every project.

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FAQ

What is a Berlin wall and is it related to the Berlin Wall?

No, the Berlin wall has no link with the famous Berlin Wall. In civil engineering, a Berlin wall is a type of wall used to safely retain soil during excavation, especially in urban areas or restricted‑access zones.

Can a Berlin wall be built in winter?

Yes, the Berlin wall is ideal for winter sites, as it requires little formwork and can be installed quickly despite freezing conditions.

What is the price to install a retaining wall or a Berlin wall?

The cost of a retaining wall or a Berlin wall varies according to several technical and logistical factors, including the chosen wall type, the complexity of the terrain, the duration of the works, the number of panels needed, and so on.

Is a permit required to build a retaining wall?

Yes, in most municipalities in Quebec, a permit is required. Fondabec can assist you with preparing the necessary documents.

What is the difference between a retaining wall and a Berlin wall?

A retaining wall can be various types of retaining structures (concrete, steel, wood) that may be permanent or temporary, whereas the Berlin wall—also a retaining wall—is temporary or semi‑permanent and is used to secure an excavation during the works.

For over 20 years, Fondabec has been assisting homeowners in Greater Montreal and throughout Quebec with their excavation projects.

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