Hardscape is what gives your landscape a sense of permanence. It doesn’t move with you when you sell your house and can add to your property’s value.

Some examples of hardscape include stone retaining walls, pavers for paths or patios, concrete and brick patios, wood decks, and outdoor structures like gazebos. Water features are also considered hardscape. Visit https://vantaoutdoors.com/hardscapes/ for more information.

When you have a well-done hardscape project, it adds a lot to the overall look of your property. It also makes your garden or yard more appealing to potential homebuyers. It is worth noting that a thorough landscaping project should use both hardscape and softscape elements, as the latter will not succeed without the former.

Hardscape is essentially the non-living components of a landscape, and includes things like brick patios, concrete walkways, stone walls, wooden fences, and even gravel paths. While they are not zero maintenance items, they require much less work than the living plants (or softscape) that make up most of a garden or yard.

Unlike plants, which must be watered and nurtured to live and thrive, hardscapes are built to last, making them more durable. They are also usually easier to maintain than a green lawn, since they do not need regular mowing or trimming. This makes them a smart option for anyone who wants to reduce the amount of time they spend on their garden or yard.

In addition to a being more durable than the plant-based components of your garden or yard, hardscapes are often cheaper to install. This makes them a more affordable alternative for people who want to improve their property’s appearance, but may not be able or willing to invest in a full landscaping project.

The biggest benefit of adding hardscape to your garden or backyard is that it will make the area more enjoyable to you and your guests. It will create space for people to relax and enjoy the view, and it will also allow them to move around the space more easily if they need to.

A garden or yard that is entirely made up of softscape can feel cold and unwelcoming, especially if the weather is bad. Having a mix of hardscape and softscape is essential to creating a welcoming, relaxing place to be.

Another advantage of hardscape is that it can help to make your property more accessible for people with disabilities or other mobility issues. It is easy to overlook this factor when planning your landscaping, but adding features such as a wheelchair-accessible patio or walkway can really make a difference to the lives of people who might not otherwise be able to enjoy their outdoor spaces.

Adds Value to Your Home

When many people think of landscaping, they often envision flower beds, trees and grass. However, it’s the hardscape components of a yard that are getting more and more attention as property owners realize the value they add to their properties. Hardscape refers to all the non-plant parts of a yard, including wood or stone walkways, brick patios and concrete walkways. It also includes structures like retaining walls, water features and fire pits.

Because they don’t require the same maintenance as a lawn, these hardscape additions can help save you time and money. For example, you won’t have to spend hours mowing your yard or dealing with the expense of fertilizers and chemicals. Additionally, hardscapes are less prone to erosion, so they can help protect your plants and soil.

Not only do hardscapes reduce your maintenance needs, but they can also enhance your home’s curb appeal. When done well, these features can turn your outdoor space into an exterior extension of your home – where you can host parties, enjoy a meal al fresco with your family and relax after a long day.

Hardscapes can be an excellent investment for your home because they can increase its value and make it easier to sell down the road. This is because potential buyers can envision themselves sitting on your backyard patio or cooking a barbecue in your custom outdoor kitchen.

Another way that hardscape can boost your home’s value is by providing extra usable square footage. If you have a nice patio, for example, it’s easy to imagine yourself sitting back with a glass of wine or enjoying your morning coffee.

It’s important to note, though, that hardscape is only valuable if it blends seamlessly with your landscape. If your patio or walkway is too big or out of place, it can detract from the aesthetic of your yard and actually decrease its overall value. That’s why it’s essential to choose the right hardscape components for your yard and have them installed by a professional hardscaper. By doing so, you can ensure that your hardscapes will serve you well for years to come.

Reduces Water Waste

When people think of landscaping, they often envision flower beds and shrubbery. But hardscape has been gaining in popularity, as well. When you add elements like stone walkways, brick patios, and gazebo gardens to your property, it not only makes the space more visually appealing, but also more functional. It creates an inviting space where people want to spend time and will help boost your property value when it comes time to sell.

The best part about hardscaping is that it’s a greener alternative to traditional yard care. It requires less water and fertilizer than plants, which means fewer fossil fuels are used to run lawnmowers, weed wackers, leaf blowers, and other yard tools. Additionally, the permeable nature of most hardscape materials means that rainwater is absorbed into the soil rather than running off into streets and sewers, where it can cause erosion and flooding.

Another great benefit of hardscape is that it can add privacy to your property. With the right design, you can make your garden a quiet space where you can relax and enjoy some peace and quiet without being seen by anyone walking by. Walls and fences can also be a good way to block the view of your home from the street or public spaces.

Finally, hardscape can be a great way to add some color and interest to your landscape. There are many different types of stones, bricks, and pavers that can be used for hardscape, so you’ll be able to find something that fits your personal style. Plus, adding features like a pond or fountain can be a beautiful focal point that can make your landscape look more colorful and interesting. Plus, they’ll provide a relaxing place for wildlife to drink and bathe, which is always a good thing.

Increases Curb Appeal

While flowers, plants and trees certainly add curb appeal to your property in a beautiful way, hardscape features are equally attractive and can set your home apart from the rest. In fact, real estate professionals agree that hardscape features will add value to your home. That’s because they are permanent and can be enjoyed by future homeowners as well.

There are many ways to add hardscape elements to your property. Some of the most popular include concrete patios, pavers for paths or patios, retaining walls, gravel paths, stone landscape steps, wood fences and outdoor structures like pergolas or gazebos.

These additions are important because they provide structure and stability to your garden or yard. They also create visual focal points that beckon people to come closer and explore the rest of your landscaping. If you want to boost your curb appeal, consider planting colorful flowers near your sidewalk or mailbox. Add a bench with seating to make it easy for visitors to sit and enjoy the scenery. You could even place a decorative water feature in your front yard to greet guests with calming sights and sounds.

When you add these features, be sure that they complement the surrounding landscape to achieve a balanced look. An overabundance of one element can overtake your landscape and lower its overall appearance. It’s also important to strike a balance between hardscape and softscape. An overabundance of softscape in the backyard can make it feel too crowded and might be difficult to maintain, while an overabundance of hardscape in the front yard can be off-putting for potential buyers.

The best thing about hardscape is that it can be customized to suit your personal taste. That means you can choose the colors, shapes and patterns of your outdoor features. You can even use lighting to highlight your hardscape features during the day and at night.

Adding hardscape is a great investment that will help you increase your home’s curb appeal, improve its accessibility and enhance its overall value. It’s a good idea to consult with a professional before you start working on your landscape.

Mark Strother