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Topic: Hardscaping



Date Posted: Friday, November 29, 2013
Posted by: Judy Walker (Master Admin)


How to Create Beautiful Hardscapes


A quality hardscaping project can lead your visitors through your outdoor spaces and impress them with timeless beauty. Hardscapes can transform a lackluster outdoor setting into an outdoor oasis. From functional retaining walls, classy interlocking pavers to elegant outdoor living rooms, the hardscape elements you integrate into your exteriors are endless.

So, you want to create a great outdoor space for entertaining your guests. Before you start working on the project, plan carefully so that your ultimate hardscaping goals are met. Hardscaping involves adding fixed elements to your exteriors. Since you can't remove these objects easily you should do a bit of research before adding any new feature to your backyard.

Follow these simple tips for creating beautiful hardscapes that you will cherish for many years to come.

Consider the landscaping

Before adding any new element, you should consider the entire landscape. We recommend you hire an experienced landscape designer or a professional contractor. If you add elements without considering the entire site, it will be a bit like building one room now and then another room a year or several years later. As you can imagine, this is a flawed approach and can lead to potential challenges.

Don't ignore draining issues

Don't ignore drainage requirements. This is one of the silliest mistakes people commit when they do hardscaping on their own. Before erecting a new wall or patio, you should know how your drainage system will be affected by the new addition.

There are also some environmental factors that need to be considered. With proper planning you will be able to capture runoff and use the water on the site itself. It is much better than letting all that water go down the drain.

Build a focal point

Ideally you should have at least one visual element that will make people want to stop and take a closer look. By centering your hardscaping project on an attractive focal point you can create the desired effect. While creating a focal point make sure that it looks as natural as possible.

For example, boulders are a common object used in hardscaping. When used artistically, they will naturalize the area. If you are planning to use boulders in hardscaping make sure that they are large enough to suit the scale of your landscape. Also don't forget to bury them deep enough.

Avoid elements that are too-linear. For example, L-shaped or straight walkways don't look natural. Add a curve and the hardscape element will easily blend with the rest of your landscape.

Keep the Greenery

Don't forget to include ample vegetation. If your yard is full of concrete or all stone areas, it will not look natural. Accent your hardscapes with the appropriate gardens, plants and trees as a means to create a seamless blend between hardscapes and softscapes.

Flooring for Success

Flooring surfaces are one of the most important features of any hardscape project. From patios, decks, walkways and pathways, your flooring surfaces should stand out aesthetically, while being functional and highly durable for longevity.

Whether you opt for interlocking concrete pavers or natural stone pavers, make sure to choose a quality product that not only enhances the aesthetics of your outdoors but acts as a solid foundation for foot traffic and heavy outdoor elements.

Retaining Walls Defined

Retaining walls are equally important as your flooring surfaces, since they can really define an outdoor space and compliment your hardscapes. Most flooring manufacturers offer a matching retaining wall product using the same texture, colors and styles in order to create a fluid, seamless integration.

Likewise, retaining walls are available in either modular concrete block or natural stone, which provide a solid, durable solution for the long term.

Hardscape Options

While natural stone retaining walls and pavers are more expensive and require professional installation, they do offer a higher level of beauty, quality and longevity. Concrete pavers and block walls are more affordable and can be installed by all comers, yet they still offer a high level of elegance and strength.

We recommend you visit your local hardscape supply yard and physically inspect the various options to get a better understanding of the costs, quality and durability. Most suppliers have showrooms with sample hardscape installations that really can make your decision much easier.



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