You’ve got a beautiful yard with trees, bushes, and flowers—yet you feel it’s lacking something. That’s because your yard doesn’t have much visual interest or functionality. That’s where hardscapes come in!
Hardscapes don’t just add visual interest to your landscaping—much of hardscaping is functional, providing all the creature comforts you need to enjoy your space. A well-executed hardscape also increases your home’s value while preserving and complementing your landscape at the same time. So hardscapes aren’t just attractive—they’re essential!
Despite the name, transforming your outdoor space with hardscapes isn’t hard—it’s easy!
At Tussey Landscaping, we’re here to help you achieve your dream backyard. In this blog, we’ll examine how hardscapes help preserve your landscape while adding value to your outdoor experience.
Ready? Let’s dig in!
What is a Hardscape?
The concept of “hardscaping” is probably less familiar to you than “landscaping.” While landscaping refers to the living parts of your backyard, such as trees and flowers, hardscapes are the hard, non-living elements in your landscape design. They include static items like the patio, walkways, pavers, and retaining walls but also extend to dynamic pieces such as outdoor kitchens, fire pits, fireplaces, and lighting.
The Importance of Hardscape Design
Hardscapes are integral to the overall design of outdoor spaces because they are the non-living elements of landscape architecture. They add value and benefit to your landscape in the following ways:
- Functionality and Usability: Hardscapes provide structure and organization to outdoor spaces, making them more functional and usable. A patio creates dining and entertainment areas, pavers make walkways to guide movement through the landscape, and retaining walls manage soil erosion and create level planting areas. Firepits and fireplaces create inviting spaces to gather, while outdoor lighting provides safety and illumination for anyone walking about in the dark. By designing thoughtful hardscapes, homeowners can maximize the use of their outdoor spaces, transforming them into extensions of their living areas.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Hardscaping is an essential element of home design and can dramatically transform the aesthetics of any outdoor space. Imagine stepping out into your landscape and seeing a continuous sea of flat, green grass accentuated with a couple of bushes, flowers, and trees. Next, imagine the same landscape with features complementing your greenery—stone pavers creating walkways around the yard, leading to a patio with seating and an inviting fire to warm you as you sit in the cool evening breeze. You are drawn to the forced perspective of the terraced and graded yard, creating visual interest for a more attractive landscape. Using various materials and design techniques, Hardscapes can complement a garden's natural beauty, providing contrast and enhancing the overall aesthetic. Whether it's the rustic charm of cobblestone paths or the sleek elegance of modern concrete patios, hardscapes offer endless possibilities for creative expression.
- Durability and Low Maintenance: Unlike softscapes, which require regular maintenance like watering, pruning, and fertilizing, hardscapes are relatively low maintenance. Once installed, they provide long-lasting solutions that withstand the elements and heavy use. This durability makes hardscapes attractive for homeowners, creating beautiful, sustainable, low-maintenance outdoor environments.
- Environmental Benefits: When designed thoughtfully, hardscapes offer environmental benefits. Permeable paving solutions allow water to infiltrate the ground, reducing runoff and recharging groundwater supplies. Retaining walls prevent soil erosion, protecting the landscape and nearby ecosystems. By incorporating sustainable practices into hardscape design, homeowners create eco-friendly outdoor spaces that benefit both people and the planet.
Types of Hardscapes
Hardscapes come in various forms, each serving different purposes and contributing unique elements to a landscape design. Here are some common types of hardscapes:
- Patios: These flat, paved areas typically used for dining, relaxation, or entertainment are constructed from various materials, including concrete, brick, stone, and pavers. They serve as a canvas for starting your hardscape and are the perfect transition between indoor and outdoor living spaces, providing a comfortable area for social gatherings and leisure activities.
The patio is the perfect spot to be the launching point for your outdoors. Spending an afternoon or evening on the patio grilling with friends and family is a quintessential example of Americana.
- Walkways and Pathways: Walkways and pathways guide movement through a landscape, connecting different areas and providing direction. They are designed in various styles, from straight and formal to winding and informal, depending on the desired aesthetic. Materials for walkways include gravel, stone, brick, and concrete, each offering distinct visual and functional qualities.
- Retaining Walls: They’re not just for looks—retaining walls are structures designed to hold back soil and create level areas in sloped landscapes. They can be made from stone, brick, concrete, or wood and serve functional and aesthetic purposes. In addition to preventing soil erosion, retaining walls add visual interest, increase the amount of usable land in the yard, and create opportunities for planting and seating.
- Driveways: Think driveways are just a spot to drive your car on? You’d be surprised! Driveways are essential hardscape elements for providing access to a property. They are constructed from asphalt, concrete, gravel, or pavers, with each material offering different cost, durability, and appearance benefits. A well-designed driveway enhances curb appeal and complements the overall landscape design.
- Decks: While technically not part of the ground, decks are elevated platforms often included in hardscape design. They provide additional outdoor living space and are constructed from wood, composite materials, or metal. Decks are versatile structures that accommodate various activities, from dining and lounging to gardening and entertaining.Like patios, decks are excellent places for family and friends to gather at home while enjoying the outdoors.
- Outdoor Kitchens and Fire Pits: Outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, and fire pits are popular hardscape features that enhance the functionality of outdoor spaces.
Outdoor kitchens typically include built-in grills, countertops, and storage, allowing for convenient cooking and dining. Fire pits provide warmth and ambiance, creating a cozy gathering spot for family and friends. An outdoor kitchen and firepit make a stunning combination for enjoying an evening outside with family and friends.
Materials Used in Hardscapes
Material choice is crucial in hardscape design, as it affects the structures' durability, appearance, and functionality. Here are some common materials used in hardscapes:
- Concrete: Concrete is a versatile and durable material widely used in hardscape construction. It can be poured into various shapes and sizes, making it ideal for patios, walkways, and driveways. Concrete can also be stamped, stained, or textured to mimic the appearance of more expensive materials like stone or brick. However, while it’s an opportunity to make a quick buck, note that we do not install stamped concrete at Tussey Landscaping, and here’s why.
- Brick: Brick is a classic hardscape material known for its timeless appeal and durability. It is commonly used for walkways, patios, and retaining walls, offering a warm, traditional look. Bricks come in various colors and sizes, allowing for creative patterns and designs.
- Natural Stone: Natural stone is prized for its beauty and uniqueness, making it a popular choice for high-end hardscapes. Stones like flagstone, slate, and granite are used for patios, walkways, and retaining walls, providing a natural, organic aesthetic. However, natural stone can be more expensive and labor-intensive to install. Check out our video, showing our team hard at work installing a natural stone hardscape!
- Pavers: Pavers are pre-cast concrete or stone blocks that interlock to create durable surfaces. They are available in various colors, shapes, and sizes, offering endless design possibilities. Pavers are commonly used for patios, walkways, and driveways, providing a flexible and attractive solution.
- Wood: Wood is often used in hardscape design for decks, pergolas, and other vertical structures. It offers a natural, warm aesthetic but requires regular maintenance to prevent rot and weathering. Pressure-treated wood, cedar, and redwood are popular choices for outdoor use. While wood is a solid choice for hardscape design, we do not offer wood as a material option at Tussey Landscaping.
- Metal: Metal elements, such as steel or aluminum, are increasingly used in modern hardscape design. They can be incorporated into structures like pergolas, planters, and edging, offering a sleek, contemporary look. Metal is durable and low-maintenance, making it a practical choice for various applications.
- Wrought Iron: Classic and timeless, wrought iron hardscapes are ideal for that old-world, heritage, stately, or rustic look. Combined with trellises, wrought iron is great for landscapes incorporating colorful flowers and climbing vines. However, the term “wrought iron” has become more of a description of an aesthetic, as “real” wrought iron has declined over the years and is increasingly hard to find commercially due to its cost and difficulty in manufacturing (the “wrought iron” you see at big box stores these days are either made of low-grade steel or composite resins). However, the wrought iron look is still timeless and you’ll have a unique hardscape look that’s sure to delight.
Common Challenges and Solutions
While hardscapes offer numerous benefits, they also present certain challenges you must address during the design and installation process. Here are some common issues and their solutions:
- Drainage Issues: Poor drainage can cause water to pool on hard surfaces, causing damage and creating slippery conditions. Proper grading and drainage systems must be incorporated into the design to address drainage issues. Solutions include installing French drains, using permeable paving materials, and ensuring hardscape surfaces slope away from structures.
- Weed Growth: Weeds can grow between pavers and other hardscape elements, detracting from the appearance and integrity of the surfaces.
To prevent weed growth, it's important to use a high-quality weed barrier fabric beneath hardscape installations and fill joints with polymeric sand, which hardens to prevent weed penetration. If you want to learn more, we’ve got a blog describing weed control in hardscapes.
- Material Wear and Tear: Due to weathering, heavy use, and environmental factors, hardscape materials can show signs of wear and tear over time. Regular maintenance such as cleaning, sealing, and repairing damaged areas can extend the lifespan of hardscapes. Choosing durable materials and proper installation techniques also minimizes wear and tear.
- Cracking and Shifting: Cracking and shifting are common issues with hardscapes, particularly in areas with freeze-thaw cycles. To minimize these problems, prepare a stable base and use expansion joints in concrete installations. Flexible materials like pavers can also accommodate ground movement without cracking. All’s not lost, though! Instead of living with damaged concrete, replacing it, or ignoring it, concrete floors can be patched or even lifted.
- Color Fading: Some hardscape materials can fade over time due to exposure to sunlight and weather. To maintain color vibrancy, consider using UV-resistant sealers and choosing materials that naturally age well. Regular cleaning and maintenance can also help preserve the appearance of hardscapes.
Conclusion
We’ve learned that hardscapes are essential to landscape design, offering functionality, aesthetic appeal, and durability to outdoor spaces. Homeowners and designers can create beautiful, sustainable environments that enhance the quality of life by understanding the various types of hardscapes, materials used, and common challenges.
At Tussey Landscaping’s location in Hollidaysburg, PA, we’ve made backyard dreams come true in the Altoona, State College, Johnstown, and Bedford, PA, region since 1991! We believe every family deserves their dream backyard to relax and make memories together. Whether it's a cozy patio for family gatherings, a winding walkway through a garden, or a sturdy retaining wall to manage slopes, we’re here to provide practical and inspiring hardscapes for your outdoor living spaces.
In addition to landscapes and hardscapes, we’re an award-winning aquascape designer, covering all your outdoor design needs! Learn more about how we can make a splash in your landscape by contacting us today!