Content Overview What Split Face Blocks Are How the finish is made Why they’re used in feature walls and façades What Limestone Blocks Are Why limestone is popular in Perth Common retaining wall applications Natural look and landscape fit Which Is Better for Retaining Walls? Appearance and design Cost and value Installation and engineering Maintenance and drainage What Real Buyers Say Homeowner concerns about moisture and durability Perth reviews on workmanship and reliability What forum discussions reveal about buying decisions Choosing the Right Material Best use cases for split face Best use cases for limestone When to ask for engineering advice Split face blocks and limestone blocks are both used in Perth retaining walls, and there’s enough overlap in where each is specified that the comparison comes up regularly. The two materials are distinct: split face blocks are engineered concrete masonry units with a decorative fractured face, while limestone blocks are natural stone cut from quarried material. The differences between them affect appearance, cost, drainage behaviour, and the kind of project each suits best. This guide compares split face blocks vs limestone blocks specifically in the context of retaining walls, covering the practical factors that matter for a residential or commercial wall build in Perth. What Split Face Blocks Are How the finish is made Split face blocks are concrete masonry units manufactured with a deliberately rough, irregular face. The process involves casting two blocks together as a single larger unit, then machine-splitting them apart along a scored plane. That split exposes the concrete aggregate and creates the fractured texture that characterises the product. Unlike a moulded finish, the surface variation is structural – the fracture follows the path of least resistance through the material, so no two sections of wall look exactly the same. A construction dictionary definition describes them as a “decorative masonry block with a rough textured surface” – which holds up: they perform like standard concrete masonry in terms of structural capacity and compressive strength, with the decorative finish produced through the splitting process rather than applied on top. Why they’re used in feature walls and façades Split face blocks are commonly specified for architectural masonry applications: feature walls, commercial façades, boundary walls, and retaining walls where the visual character of the material matters as much as its structural function. The textured surface reads as stone-like at wall scale, giving walls a more considered appearance than smooth block. Remastone’s split face block range covers the sizes and aggregate colours used across Perth residential and commercial construction. What Limestone Blocks Are Why limestone is popular in Perth Limestone blocks are natural stone, quarried and cut to block dimensions. WA has significant limestone geology – Tamala limestone extends across much of the coastal plain – and local quarrying operations have made Perth one of the best-supplied limestone markets in Australia. That local availability keeps pricing competitive relative to manufactured or imported alternatives, and it’s a primary reason limestone dominates Perth’s residential retaining wall landscape. The material’s popularity in WA is also tied to its presence in the established built environment. Limestone walls are common in older Perth suburbs – garden walls, boundary fences, and retaining structures in established residential areas were frequently built from limestone blocks, and using the same material in a new project connects it to that existing character. Common retaining wall applications Limestone blocks are most widely used in garden and landscape retaining walls: tiered yard levels, sloped block retaining, planter beds, and boundary walls set within planted outdoor spaces. Remastone’s limestone block range includes the standard sizes used in Perth wall construction, covering both smaller garden-scale walls and larger structural retaining applications. For background on retaining wall structures and engineering requirements, Remastone’s guide to types of retaining walls covers the options used across Perth. Natural look and landscape fit Limestone blocks carry inherent variation in colour, texture, and tone – the natural mineral composition of the stone means no two blocks are identical. That variation tends to look at home in garden settings, where the organic character of the material complements planting, lawn, and timber in a way that manufactured products struggle to replicate. Local descriptions of limestone walls for Perth retaining applications consistently cite “natural aesthetic appeal” as a primary driver of the material choice, and it’s a quality that has remained relevant across decades of suburban Perth construction. Which Is Better for Retaining Walls? Appearance and design The manufactured nature of split face block produces a more architectural, controlled aesthetic: blocks are consistent in size, the fractured texture falls within a predictable range of variation, and the effect at wall scale is textured but structured. The material pairs well with rendered masonry, angular architecture, and contemporary outdoor environments. Limestone carries a warmer, more organic character. The natural variation in tone and surface means a limestone wall settles into garden settings well – for Perth homes with established planting, a relaxed coastal character, or native garden surrounds, the material fits more naturally than a manufactured product would. Cost and value Because limestone is quarried locally in WA, supply is well-established and pricing tends to be competitive for standard retaining wall sizes. Split face concrete block is manufactured, with more consistent supply chain costs, but those costs don’t typically create a significant price advantage over locally quarried limestone for basic wall applications. For larger commercial projects where installation efficiency matters, split face block’s uniform dimensions can reduce waste and simplify sequencing, lowering the overall build cost. Standard residential garden retaining projects generally see comparable pricing between the two materials, though the final number varies by block size, supplier, and project location across Perth. Installation and engineering Both materials require proper footings and drainage, and both are subject to the same Perth regulatory requirements for retaining walls. Walls above certain heights – the threshold varies by council area – require an engineer’s design and may require a building permit. These requirements apply regardless of whether the wall is limestone or split face block. Limestone blocks tend to be larger and heavier than standard masonry units, which affects handling during installation. The natural face variation in limestone also means block alignment requires more attention to produce a consistent wall line. Split face blocks are manufactured to standard dimensions, making alignment and mortar joint consistency more straightforward. For walls with tight engineering tolerances or complex layouts, that dimensional consistency can simplify construction. Maintenance and drainage Both materials require drainage behind the wall. Without a drainage layer and weep holes, hydrostatic pressure builds and increases the risk of wall movement over time – irrespective of the material used. Drainage is a structural requirement for any retaining wall, applying equally to limestone and split face block. Remastone’s guide to retaining wall ideas for sloped backyards covers drainage and design considerations for Perth conditions. Where the materials differ is at the wall face. Limestone’s natural surface is porous but responds well to penetrating stone sealers applied at construction. Split face concrete block has a more complex surface with deeper crevices, which creates more pathways for water to enter and makes face-level moisture management more involved. Guides covering split face block performance note drawbacks “particularly related to moisture intrusion” compared to smooth masonry surfaces – and the same logic applies when the textured face is exposed to weather over time. Good drainage detailing reduces that risk significantly for either material. What Real Buyers Say Homeowner concerns about moisture and durability Moisture is the most consistent concern homeowners and contractors raise about masonry retaining walls, and it applies to both materials. Building inspection and contractor discussions about split face block on exterior applications frequently cite water intrusion as the primary risk when drainage isn’t adequately detailed. For limestone walls, durability concerns in homeowner discussions tend to focus on long-term structural stability – whether the wall will move if drainage isn’t maintained – rather than surface moisture behaviour. Drainage detailing at construction is what determines a retaining wall’s long-term performance – the material is secondary to how the wall is built. CCPIA, a commercial building inspection resource, documents the moisture implications of exposed textured masonry surfaces in commercial building exterior applications – and the same principles apply at the residential retaining wall scale. Perth reviews on workmanship and reliability Reviews for Perth retaining wall and limestone wall builders consistently emphasise workmanship and attention to detail as the deciding factors in a positive outcome. Local review commentary includes descriptions like “high quality workmanship and attention to detail” making a supplier the preferred choice, and “absolutely excellent contractors, very knowledgeable” capturing why experienced tradespeople earn repeat business and referrals in Perth’s retaining wall market. Airtasker reviews for Perth retaining wall contractors include comments like “great work, would definitely use again” and “on time” – outcomes that reflect what buyers care about most in practice: the wall went up correctly, the job finished on schedule, and the team communicated well. These are anecdotal, but the pattern across multiple reviews is consistent: the quality of installation matters as much as the material selected. What forum discussions reveal about buying decisions Perth-specific discussions about retaining walls – including a Reddit thread on retaining wall recommendations – raise engineering compliance and supplier reliability alongside material choice. One contributor noted that some local block suppliers are “legit cheapest,” reflecting that price and supply access are genuine considerations in the Perth market. The same discussion emphasises proper engineering for taller walls, a recurring theme in Perth retaining wall conversations because the local regulatory environment requires engineering sign-off above certain heights. Material choice is one step in a longer process that includes engineering design, drainage specification, and finding a contractor with demonstrated Perth experience. Forum discussions suggest that buyers who end up satisfied are those who treated it that way from the start. Choosing the Right Material Best use cases for split face Split face block suits projects where architectural character, dimensional consistency, and colour control matter. Contemporary home exteriors, commercial boundary walls, and retaining walls that are part of a structured designed landscape are all natural fits. The manufactured nature of the product is an advantage in these contexts: consistent block sizes simplify construction and estimation, the range of aggregate colours gives genuine finish options, and the textured face works well against rendered and angular architectural styles. Best use cases for limestone Limestone block suits projects where organic variation and natural character are the priority. Garden retaining walls, tiered landscape walls, boundary walls set within planted outdoor areas, and walls on Perth properties where limestone is already present in the surrounding built character – these are applications where the natural variation in limestone is part of what makes it the right choice. Wide local availability in WA keeps the material cost-competitive for standard residential retaining applications, and the warm cream and buff tones common in WA limestone suit Perth’s sun-bleached exterior palette well. When to ask for engineering advice Any retaining wall above approximately 500–600mm in retained height – the exact threshold varies by council area – is likely to require an engineer’s design in Perth. That requirement applies to both limestone and split face block walls equally. Walls on sloped blocks, walls near structures or property boundaries, and walls subject to surcharge loading from driveways, pools, or vehicles carry additional requirements beyond the standard height trigger. The right time to involve an engineer is before construction begins. A structural engineer can confirm the appropriate block size, footing depth, drainage specification, and whether a permit is required for the specific site. Both materials are appropriate for engineered retaining walls when constructed to the correct specification. Engineering determines the construction requirements; material selection is a separate decision. Browse Remastone’s limestone block range and split face block range, or visit the Bibra Lake showroom to discuss the right material and specification for your retaining wall project.