How to Choose the Right Hardscape Material?

Landscaping elements can be divided into two parts – living and non-living. While the non-living element of landscape, like brick patio, a stone wall and a wood arbor are called hardscape, the softscape comprises the animate horticulture elements of landscape design.

Hardscape is as essential to a residential outdoor living space as softscape, as a property enhancer and many a times as a must-have. Heavy or light, formal or informal, big or small, natural or man-made (faux), hardscaping helps a garden by adding balance and focus. It serves as a focal point, delineates, adds dimensionality, and helps to decorate a landscape.

In Los Angeles, hardscape in garden is much in demand. Try to imagine a landscape without a hardscape, isn’t it missing something? There can be no landscape without gravel, rocks, arbors, gazebos, walls, brick, or wood. The plants and trees would be a never-ending forest of wild, growing things.

The Hardscaping Elements:

• Patios
• Decks
• Pool Surrounds
• Paths
• Garden Structures, like arbors, pergolas and gazebos
• Walls and fences
• Stones and rocks
• Landscape edging

Choosing the right hardscape material:

Brick

Bricks are among the most widely used materials for buildings, roads, pathways, walls and all types of structures. Bricks have specific patterns, which can make a surface appear more formal or informal.

Composite Decking

Composite decking is an eco-conscious hardscaping material since most brands are made from wood fibers and recycled plastics. No real wood or aluminum is used to make it insect repellent, resistant to mold and rotting, provides excellent traction and doesn’t require sanding or resealing.

Concrete

Concrete can be stained, stamped, texturized and embedded with materials like pebbles and sea glass. Decorative concrete is less slippery than the smooth, plain finish.

Loose Materials

Pea gravel, Mexican river rock, small stones, gravel, recycled rubber mulch and recycled glass are all considered loose-material hardscaping.

Pavers

The most popular pavers are concrete, brick and flagstone. Pavers are usually installed over pea gravel and bedding sand, but can be placed on DE (diatomaceous earth), dirt or grass, dirt or grass.

Stone

Natural stone or flagstone is a popular hardscaping choice for outdoor patios, courtyards and other areas. Stone or flagstone can be placed over a sand or pea gravel base, or mortared into a concrete slab.

Tile

When choosing ceramic or any type of tile for an outdoor patio or courtyard, keep in mind that glazed tile can get slippery when wet. So, be sure to choose the one that complies with your zone.

Wood

Wood is the real thing and has long been the material of choice for outdoor decks. While maintenance is an issue at times, wood hardscaping is preferred by many for its warm, rich look and natural feel.

Water features as hardscape:

It might sound somewhat counterintuitive, water features are included under hardscape elements. These structures assume a variety of forms, both with and without fountains:

• Stone fountains
• Ceramic fountains
• Inexpensive DIY fountains
• Clay pot fountains

Working on Hardscape projects:

Working on hardscape can be a very tiring process. Therefore, many people prefer to get the hardscape jobs done during favorable weather, say in spring or fall, or even during manageable summers. Some hardscape projects are too physically demanding to complete with manual labor alone, and some require heavy equipment which are available on rental.

These, in a nutshell, are all about hardscape. Do these help you with your queries about hardscape in Los Angeles?