Things to consider when determining what kind of break-wall to install are budget, time for installation, length of time you plan to own the property. Masonry style walls will cost more to install but will sustain the weather and water longer if properly installed. Types of masonry can vary from decorative blocks to solid stone/concrete. Remember that solid masonry stone will have a much greater chance of cracking or failing due to Northeast weather changes. Block masonry walls will have a greater chance to succeed due to the ability to move and not crack. Timber style walls, while cheaper to install, will fail sooner and need to be replaced more often then masonry. Maintenance of timber style walls also plays into the accounting cost and is sometimes overlooked. Steel is another cost-effective option for break-walls and has a greater life expectancy than timber, but not longer than masonry.