Exploring Different Hardscaping Materials for Your Outdoor Space

When was the last time your yard underwent a makeover? Often when we think of changing the landscaping, planting grass, trees, and shrubs comes to mind. Nonetheless, landscapes involve more than just the botanicals which make up the softscaping aspect. Hardscaping is another aspect of this design niche that adds to the aesthetic and purpose of an outdoor space. Basically, hardscapes include structures and ground covers that are not living things, such as patios, pergolas, paths, and pavement. Keeping this vision in mind, we’ll look at different types of hardscaping materials that add the “wow” effect to any garden or back yard.

Concrete

Right away, concrete comes to mind when envisioning landscape designs. However, your choices are no longer limited to the dull gray hue or the boring, flat slab. Concrete can be stained, stamped, texturized, or even mixed with other materials for a more dramatic look. Moreover, you can use concrete to create planters, basins, steps, and edging as well as for patios and walkways.

Brick

With some many shapes, sizes, and tones to choose from, brick remains a popular mainstay in hardscaping designs. Like concrete, brick is fairly low-maintenance and quite sturdy. From outdoor fireplaces to short, decorative walls, there are many ways you can integrate bricks into your outdoor living space. Plus, brick offers a creative twist for patio surfaces since you use the different shades to create different patterns.

Stone

Stone is another durable material that opens up numerous design possibilities. Natural stone, for example, gives you a broad spectrum of shapes, textures, and shades to work with. Its distinctive qualities allows for a more eclectic arrangement as well as popular styles like xeriscaping and zen gardens. On the other hand, flagstone offers a more symmetrical, structured look, especially when incorporated into walls or paving. Or in its natural state, flagstone is perfect for a rustic motif.

Wood

When you think of hardscaping, wood might not be the first choice that comes to mind. However, many types of natural woods serve well as durable, ornate structures that serve almost any purpose you wish. In fact, this material tends to be the go-to for decks and fencing, but you’ll also see arbors, pergolas, and planters crafted from the more durable varieties, including redwood, oak, and cedar.

Wood Composite

Similar in color and texture to natural wood, wood composite provides an eco-friendly alternative that consists of recycled plastic and wood fiber. Nonetheless, this material proves to be durable, easy to maintain, and of course, visually appealing. Wood composite is primarily used for decking, but more often, you’ll also see fences that are created from this material probably due to the fact that it is mold resistant and repels insects.

Loose Rock

As already mentioned, bricks and flat stones make excellent flooring for your patio, but pavers work just as well and are easy to replace. These pieces are fabricated from a mixture of coloring and concrete that’s poured into a mold. Installing pavers can be as complex as bricks, but you can also lay them over a bed of sand or gravel as long as the ground below has been thoroughly tamped and leveled. Or for a distinct mosaic look, you can use interlocking pavers to create almost any type of pattern.

Tile

Though this hardscaping material comes with a higher price tag than the others mentioned, tile lasts for decades and gives an elegant touch to any outdoor space. Similar to the indoor choices, you can select terracotta, ceramic, porcelain, or quarry tiles for the flooring of an outdoor kitchen or seating area. Tiles also make great accents on the surfaces of outdoor bars and islands.

Asphalt

And when you want a hardscaping material that provides color and some TLC for your flowers and shrubs, try spreading some mulch. As a cheaper option compared to pebbles, mulch adds depth to any garden and helps retain moisture for a longer period, thus making it one of the most eco-friendly choices. With its earthy tone, mulch coordinates well with the many colors of your landscaping. Although this material is not very stable, it’s still one of the easiest to replace.