Hardscaping refers to the use of paving materials in your landscaping design to create distinctive surfaces within the plant life of your yard. This can include driveways, pathways and walkways, and patios. Hardscaping provides a distinctive method in which you can create usable space within your yard, as well as a number of unique aesthetic features that can contribute to your overall landscaping design. Understanding what some of the most common hardscaping materials are, and the benefits that they have over each other can help you choose the one that is the best fit for your landscaping needs.
1. Concrete
One of the most common types of hardscaping materials, and also one of the easiest to install, is concrete. Since it can be poured into place, concrete can be easily designed into custom shapes, while the ability to purchase precast pavers provides a faster and more convenient option for those who are looking for a less invasive and quicker installation process.
However, concrete is susceptible to damage due to freezing weather, which means that it needs to be properly sealed every fall before the snow falls to protect it. This can increase maintenance costs. Further, poured concrete cannot be easily repaired, and will usually have to be completely replaced to reverse cracks that do appear.
2. Gravel
Gravel is unique for hardscaping materials in that it is not actually a paving material. Instead, multiple small stones make up a hard surface that provides better drainage than a completely impermeable paved surface. Further, different sizes and colors of gravel give you a number of design options.
However, gravel can wreak havoc on lawnmower blades and other yard tools, which makes it less than ideal for walkways cutting through your yard. Further, small stones will spread across your yard very easily, meaning that gravel will have to be constantly reapplied in the future. Also, gravel hardscaping surfaces can be easily disrupted by snow removal, making it less than ideal for colder climates.
3. Bricks
Brick hardscaping surfaces provide a great number of design options and can be easily replaced if damaged as only a single brick has to be removed and replaced to restore the appearance of your hardscaping surface.
However, bricks do have a longer installation process and a higher material cost than other types of hardscaping materials, which can make their installation quite expensive and not ideal for those with tight budgets. For more information, contact your local hardscape services.
Share22 March 2018
When my husband and I bought our house years ago, we thought it would be our "starter" home and we would move in a few years. We soon had two children, and we then decided against moving since we live in a great school district and we love our neighbors. However, I was growing very tired of the appearance of our home. We painted it a different color, and it still seemed like the "same old house" that we were tired of. We finally deciding that maybe good landscaping would "do the trick" and make our home more enjoyable to use again. We were right, and I now love our home! I now love spending time in our yard and just enjoying the scenery. I have such a passion for landscaping now I decided to create a blog about it. I plan to share many landscaping tips, so come back!
