A lot of homeowners don’t know this, but the landscaping industry is separated into two design elements: softscaping and hardscaping.
Hardscaping is used for all sorts of incredible projects, and it helps improve the curb appeal, organization and outdoor spaces of all residential properties. Softscaping is what goes around hardscape designs, including soil, flowers, trees and grass that help breathe aesthetic life into outdoor spaces.
The hardscaping springfield oh experts at Nature’s Own Landscaping have helped us to create this comprehensive overview detailing the most popular hardscaping materials and project ideas that homeowners everywhere should keep in mind, so here’s what you need to know!
Common Types of Hardscaping Materials
Hardscaping materials always reflect a home’s unique needs, as well as a homeowner’s budget. Hardscaping is often considered to be the foundation of landscape design projects, and homeowners need to consider things like aesthetic appeal, durability and costs while browsing through their top options.
Some of the most common types of hardscaping materials include:
- Brick
- Bluestone
- Travertine
- Concrete
- Loose stone
- Mulch
- And much more
Popular Hardscaping Projects to Improve Residential Outdoor Spaces
Hardscaping designs can be incorporated in your front or back yards, and your next project will undoubtedly utilize a wide variety of unique materials, products and design ideas.
Below are just some of the most popular hardscaping projects that you should keep in mind for you next home improvement project:
Fire Pits
Stone or brick outdoor fire pits or fireplaces are not only a beautiful touch for your yard, but they’re also a functional hardscaping element that makes your outdoor spaces more relaxing and livable.
There’s a lot to love about installing a fire pit at your home, and this is by far one of the most popular hardscaping projects that homeowners invest in.
Stone Pathways
Many homeowners are also interested in installing stone pathways throughout their properties, and these pathways are typically constructed with concrete pavers or natural stones.
Stone pathways often provide access to outdoor areas like gardens and picnic tables, and they provide an aesthetic yet functional way to avoid stepping on grass or dirt. If your home has any outdoor pathways, it’s a great idea to use natural stones to boost your area’s functionality, ambience and property value!
Pergolas & Gazebos
Hardscaping often comes in many shapes and sizes, as well as themes and materials. Some examples of this would be installing pergolas or gazebos, which essentially are partially-shaded walkways and lounging areas.
Both gazebos and pergolas do a wonderful job at providing shade, and they also act as a gathering area to enhance your property’s overall livability.
Retaining Walls
Retaining walls often bear large loads as they define boundaries found within a home’s outdoor areas, which can include garden boundaries near the tops or bottoms of hills.
Retaining walls do a great job at damming soil and water runoff, which goes a long way to support your softscaping materials and design elements.
Patios & Decks
Patios and decks are typically made of wood, but they’re yet another very popular hardscaping project idea that can help boost the livability of a property’s outdoor areas.
Depending upon your budget, you can use hardscaping materials like concrete or brick for your decks or patios instead of wood. This can boost your property value, and it can also help you avoid all sorts of maintenance costs that are typically associated with maintaining wood patios and decks.
Fountains
Residential water features like paved garden streams and fountains help create a more natural, tranquil atmosphere in residential outdoor spaces.
These types of water features also become natural focal points for you and your guests, and there’s absolutely no denying just how beautiful fountains are in backyard spaces!
Driveways
Every home needs a driveway for basic vehicular access, and driveways technically are considered to be one of the most common hardscaping projects.
Driveways are typically constructed through pouring asphalt, concrete, stone, brick or other weatherproof substances on a property’s ground. Driveway materials always have to be incredibly load-bearing and durable, because no one wants to deal with driveway cracks or deformities shortly after making these types of investments.
Driveway installations are often needed when an existing driveway has experienced a lot of wear and tear, or when homeowners are investing in comprehensive renovations or property expansions.
Common Benefits of Hardscaping
Hardscaping is often considered to be an integral part of any residential landscaping project, and countless homeowners love hardscaping projects for the following benefits:
- Low-maintenance
- Water-efficient
- Property value boosts
- Increased entertainment areas
- Added landscaping dimensions
- Minimal erosion
Reach Out to Nature’s Own Landscaping When You Need Hardscaping Services in Springfield OH
Hardscaping projects are an incredible opportunity to boost your property value and dramatically improve the livability of your outdoor areas. The above materials, ideas and benefits are just the beginning in terms of what homeowners should know about hardscaping, and the best thing that you can do is speak directly with experienced specialists when you have questions or concerns on your mind about your next project.
One of the top-rated hardscaping providers in the Springfield OH area is Nature’s Own Landscaping, and their experts are just a click away when you check out the link to their website at the top of this page!
