Why Should I Add Hardscape To My Landscape?
Hardscaping refers to man-made features, like paved path or stone walls, integrated into your outdoor living construction and landscape architecture and design.
Some of the most common elements found in hardscapes include planting beds, pergolas, fire pits, outdoor kitchens, and fireplaces, retaining walls, walkways, decks, patios, pond structures, waterfalls and fountains.
Boulders, gravel, wood, brick, stone and concrete are the most common hardscape materials.
In this article, you will learn 9 reasons why you should consider adding hardscape to your landscape.
What’s the Difference between Hardscaping and Softscaping?
Simply put, hardscaping involves the use of hard design elements in your space like wood, stone, pavers, bricks, rocks, and concrete. Soft landscaping, on the other hand, involves soft things like flowers, trees, plants, and grass.
Why Should I Add Hardscape To My Landscape?
Reason #1: Reduce soil erosion.
If planned effectively, hardscaping can help keep your ground intact for years to come. Placing barriers in the form of concrete or stone in areas where erosion is likely to reduce potential erosion.
Reason #2: Add dimension to your yard.
Hardscaping can also enable you to add style and dimension to a rather uninspiring flat, wide-open backyard. A little hardscaping can help you create a visually appealing space with differing levels, defined edges and weaving walkways.
Additionally, stone boundary lines, fences, pergolas, and courtyard walls can all help add a layer of privacy from the neighbors nearby.
Reason #3: Extend the entertainment space.
The patio space and the deck are an extension of a home. This is particularly true during the warm summer months. Incorporating a backyard hardscape can significantly boost your family’s backyard experience with more room to sit and enjoy the outdoors.
Reason #4: Increase your property’s value.
Did you know that 84% of buyers look for an outdoor patio when house hunting? This is because adding an outdoor extension of your home helps add more usable square footage to your home. And this makes potential buyers envision themselves entertaining and relaxing in the space.
Reason #5: To fight water wastage.
Hardscaping is a great solution, especially in areas where drought is common, to fight water wastage. Rather than spill out gallons upon gallons of water to maintain your lawn, a backyard hardscape won’t require any.
What’s more, you don’t have to fret over your plants fading or dying.
Reason #6: It’s low maintenance.
Compared to softscaping, hardscaping is low maintenance. Once you create the hardscaping design of your choice, your backyard is set for years to come. You won’t need to water, mow, prune, or trim your yard.
Reason #7: To create shade from the sun.
Trellises, covered patios, brick or stone walls, and pergolas are excellent solutions for reducing sun glare and their harmful effects on both people and furniture.
Reason #8: To direct foot traffic.
You can also use landscaping beds, edging, stone paths, and walkways to clearly steer guests exactly where you want them to go and from places that are out of bounds.
Pergolas, stone boundaries, courtyard walls, and fences all improve privacy from nearby neighbors and serves as visual alert when they are trespassing.
Reason #9: To even your yard.
Do you have an uneven yard? If so, hardscaping can help. It can help turn the area into a completely functional space. Think walkways, retaining walls, tiered patios, and stairs.
Solving your yard grading issues can help prevent a myriad of issues. Among these issues is foundation damage.
Reason #9: To even your yard.
To maximize your landscape’s character and beauty, the following are six examples of landscaping designs to consider using.
- Retaining walls: These are short walls that separate 2 levels of landscaping. They are often used around big trees. They not only protect the soil but also serve as seating for people.
- Pergolas, arbors, & cabanas: These are designed to add accents and possible shade to a yard. They can be built from iron, wood, composite wood, or even stucco.
- Patios: Patios are a great way to add value and a livable outdoor space to any home. You can design one as an outdoor dining area, like an outdoor kitchen, or even as a fire pit to gather around.
- Walls & fences: You could also replace an ordinary-looking fence with a brick wall, a metal post fence, or a horizontal plan fence.
- Walkways: Walkways made of materials such as stone, bricks, or pavers are far more beautiful than simple concrete ones.
- Driveways: Typically, the driveway has been all about function over fashion. Not anymore. A hardscape design expert can help design it in an attractive and unique way.
Hardscaping does not only add natural beauty and form, but it can also be beneficial to the environment as well as your property, says Bigham & Associates, LLC.
Hardscape can help boost your property’s value and create the perfect atmosphere for outdoor living spaces. Just remember to hire an experienced and licensed professional for the project.
Hire Alexander and Xavier Masonry now! Contact us for a free estimation.
