While most homeowners are familiar with the word landscape, hardscape is usually less commonly known. Hardscapes are the human-built, non-living components of your yard or landscape. Installing strategic and well-designed hardscapes into your outdoor area can greatly increase enjoyment of the yard, upgrade the look of your home, and increase property value.
Why Are Hardscapes Necessary?
Completely untouched natural spaces can be beautiful, but they can also be unwieldy to interact with on a regular basis. For example, rain creates mud or flooding; weeds grow anywhere they can. Without hardscapes, these realities can make it more difficult to easily enjoy the yard by entertaining guests or relaxing with a beverage. Hardscapes provide structure, function, and aesthetic appeal to homeowners’ outdoor spaces so they can be fully utilized to meet the homeowner’s needs.
Examples of Hardscaping
Hardscapes include anything installed or custom-built to increase the functionality of the yard. They are created from materials such as concrete, pavers, stone, rocks, bricks, and wood. Popular examples include:
- Paved walkways
- Fences
- Retaining walls
- Firepits and fireplaces
- Patios, porches, & decks
- Gazebos, pavilions, & pergolas
- Water features
- Driveways
Additional Benefits
Compared to landscapes, hardscapes generally require less maintenance, so adding hardscapes to your yard will typically reduce the amount of yardwork you do. A well-designed hardscape is built around the drainage patterns of the yard to help manage the flow of water and increase the usable space, regardless of weather. Hardscapes showcase style and usability, boosting curb appeal and resale value when it’s time to sell your home.
If you‘re interested in adding hardscapes to your property, contact us to learn more.