Hardscape Plan

Imagine an elegant new cobblestone driveway, multi-colored stone garden path arbor covered backyard retreat.

It all starts with a hardscape plan.

In recent years traditional landscaping marked by "soft and natural" living plants has been enhanced with the use of non-living hard elements like concrete, stone and treated wood. The technical term for these non-living landscape products is hardscape. As its name implies, it includes structures made with materials such as concrete, brick or stone; irrigation and underground utilities; exterior pathway lighting; and wood decks. There are dozens of other decorative items like garden ornaments, fountains, arbors, trellises and small fish ponds that are also considered part of a hardscape plan.

Hardscapes are becoming more popular and more intricate partly because of the variety of materials being offered. Just about any look can be created using hardscape materials. However, exterior hard surfaces should complement your home style and landscape design. Blending with nature is the ultimate goal for any exterior finish. That is why if you are starting from scratch, it is easier to work on hardscaping projects before the landscapers come. This way you can clearly see the design you are creating, set the foundation for your complete yard design, and prevent damaging existing plants.

It is easy to add pizazz to outdoor living spaces with hardscape additions. These architectural accents not only enhance your outdoor enjoyment, they make your resale value beautiful too.

Notice the Driveway

The driveway is usually the most obvious piece of hardscape in the yard and often the most overlooked as a design feature. For example, there is a huge visual difference between a plain, broom finish concrete driveway and an oyster shell driveway with a brick border.

Concrete can be finished in a variety of colors and textures making it a great choice for driveways and walks. Many homeowners are discovering that stamping and staining concrete to resemble brick or stone is a less expensive alternative to traditional pavers. Aggregate-like shells or rocks can be added to the concrete to create texture. To complete the look, a driveway can be edged with bricks, stones, or other materials.

Asphalt is less versatile, but it can be painted and edged with different materials. Pine straw and oyster shell are good choices for drive areas that have drainage problems. They provide a natural, "soft" driveway reminiscent of the early days of the Island's development.

Walkways

Give people a path and they are sure to follow it. Walkways help channel guests into your home or lead them through a garden patch.

A curved walkway softens the landscape by counteracting the rigid lines of a house. If the path cuts through areas of visual interest like flower beds or rock gardens, a curve approach makes sense as it slows down visitors allowing them to appreciate your landscape. Just be careful not to overdo it. Utilitarian walks such as those that get your groceries from the car to the house are better off straight.

Traditionally, walkways are concrete with brick edging, but stones and pavers are a beautiful choice if they complement your home's style. Manufacturers have stepped up their selections with new styles, types and sizes of outdoor pavers.

Decks

Homeowners are unleashing their creativity in the backyard with "outdoor rooms" that are comfortable and functional. A deck provides a great place to grill, entertain, or just relax with family.

Constructed of wood or composite fiber board, decks blend in nicely with a surrounding landscape. Wood decks are usually made of pressure-treated pine that can be painted or stained to match any color scheme. Cedar, redwood and mahogany are high-end choices that offer long-lasting beauty and elegance.

Patio Surfaces

Patios work well on flat terrain with good drainage. Usually executed in concrete, brick or stone, the patio functions like a deck, but has the advantage of needing very little maintenance. Concrete is the most durable material, and the easiest to maintain. It can be carved, stamped with designs, trimmed with brick or stone, or colored with dyes and stains. To accommodate the recent trend towards "anti-skid" exterior surfaces, a new glazing technology has emerged that replaces traditional gritty concrete finishes. The glaze is extremely fine and smooth when applied. It is like a matte tile when dry; but, when wet, it has super grip.

Brick and flagstone are also popular choices for exterior patios. Brick comes in naturally stunning colors and various finishes. Flagstone is flat and can be cut into different shapes and sizes. The two can even be combined for a creative approach to an entertaining space. If your patio is apt to get strong summer sun, brick or flagstone may not be the best choices, however. They readily absorb heat and can burn bare feet.

Large format stones have been popular indoors and now hardscape contractors are seeing an increasing request for them in patios. As builders produce more homes that blur the edges between indoors and out, they are using materials like large format stones to create continuity. By linking interior elements to outdoor areas like patios homeowners can extend their living space.

Suppliers are also seeing a demand for reclaimed stone rescued from old buildings. Buyer beware: stone absorbs moisture and stains easily if not kept sealed properly. To achieve the look of stone without the maintenance, look for glazed porcelain tile that has been engineered for outdoor use.

Pools

Pools are a great investment to your property, but this big addition to your home should be something youÕll use and enjoy, so determine your needs when you are planning. Is it for exercise or to entertain children? Should it be rectangular for swimming laps or free-form to please the eye? Will you make use of a jacuzzi?

Another option to consider is the actual water that goes into the pool. Many of today's homeowners are opting for the popular saline system pool, and some are even converting chlorinated pools to this saltwater version. The saline system eliminates the need for expensive chemicals that can irritate the skin. Touted as the natural, environmentally safe pool, a saline system pool uses salt from the ocean to sanitize the water and prevent algae growth.

The Green Factor

Going green with hardscape is actually easier than you might imagine. If you want a hardscape that is environmentally friendly, look for sustainable hardscape materials made from recycled materials. A good rule of thumb to remember: reduce, reuse and recycle by using fewer virgin materials in your hardscape. You can also use non-polluting products, and, if possible, products that are produced locally to avoid excessive use of non-renewable energy sources such as petroleum and coal. You'll also want to create a hardscape that prevents soil erosion, water run-off, and lasts a long time before needing to be replaced.

Some sustainable hardscape materials might include:

• Finely crushed brick or granite, wood chips and nutshells can be used for mulch and pathways as they allow water to percolate into the ground
• Edging boards along paths can be made of a recycled sawdust building material
• Long-lasting pavers and flagstone are reusable and can be placed in places of heavy traffic to avoid water puddling and erosion
• High-quality durable wood benches and wooden arbors will last many years and donÕt need to be varnished or painted
• Large concrete pots are hard-wearing and prevent trees and plants from getting too big