Since 2020, the number of landscaping service businesses has increased by 4.9%. If you’re looking to update your yard, chances are you’ll be working with one of these businesses. During this process, you might hear terms that are a bit confusing but very important.
Let’s take a look at a commonly asked question: What is a hardscape? Then, you’ll be able to know everything you need to know to take full advantage of hardscaping.
Table of Contents
What Is a Hardscape?
Hardscape includes all of the nonliving elements in your outdoor space. Hardscape is used to make the space look nice, but also functional. Hardscape can include things such as walkways, patios, fire pits, ovens, pool decks, driveways, and water features.
Some people confuse the hardscape definition with that of landscape. Landscape in its traditional sense includes the living elements of the outdoor space. This would incorporate flowers, shrubs, trees, grasses, and other plants.
However, in more recent years, the definition of landscape has changed. Many people refer to the living elements as softscape. This has cause landscape to expand to include everything involved in the outdoor space, including both hardscape and softscape.
In a well-designed yard, hardscape and softscape are blended together to create a balance that is aesthetically pleasing and provides usability for the space.
Benefits of a Hardscape
If your yard was only covered in grass or flowers, it might be tough to do everything you want to outside. For example, the grass would wear down and die in traffic areas or you might not be able to have a tranquil space to relax in. Hardscape can make the space more usable.
Pavers and other walkways are a great way to make high-traffic areas easy to navigate while creating paths for people to follow. You can also set out benches for people to relax on. Steps are a great option if your yard has an incline.
Hardscaping design can even allow you to create entire outdoor living rooms. You could build an outdoor kitchen or BBQ. An outdoor living room can be a great place to unwind at the end of the day.
Hardscaping also provides practical benefits. For example, a well-placed retaining wall can prevent soil erosion and increase the stability of the land. It can even increase the usable space by making a slope easier to access.
How to Hardscape Your Yard
If you want to incorporate hardscaping into your yard, the first step is to think about what you want out of your yard design. Do you want to spend time outdoors, cook, or relax? You can search online for some hardscaping ideas as a place to start.
Then, you should contact a landscape expert who can help create a hardscape design that will meet your needs. The professionals at https://hydrodynamicscorp.com/ can discuss your goals and figure out how to enhance your entire landscape.
Take Advantage of Hardscaping
Figuring out what is a hardscape versus what is a landscape can be a bit confusing. But once you know the difference, you can start the process of enhancing your outdoor spaces.
If you found this article helpful, be sure to read our other gardening and home improvement guides too.
