The Basics On Hardscape Design

| Friday, August 2, 2013
By Lela Perkins


Hardscape is a word that is used in the industry of landscaping. It refers to areas such as streets and sidewalks, as well as business complexes and housing developments. This is also used in industrial places and areas where bare soil is not at the top of the surface. Instead, it is below another surface. Hardscape design is different all around the world.

Hardscape is often used in places where there is very little bare soil, for example: urbanized and suburban areas. There might be different features that are found in this type of design. Small-scale set ups often include patios and sidewalks of some kind. Retaining walls might also be used as a way to create a boundary between hardscapes and softscapes, which are natural landscaping components.

In urban planning, these landscapes usually feature large elements. Some examples of the big components that are found in these: paved roads, traffic circles, traffic islands. Many different water features are considered under this terminology because they still require a barrier that retains water rather than draining into the surrounding bare soil.

When it comes to looks, many people like this type of design. This is because people have the chance to customize and create set ups with different features that may not be possible with a soft set up, especially where soil erosion may become a problem. Likewise, the features are better fitted to handle high traffic. Typically, soft landscapes struggle under high volumes of traffic, unless they are maintained on a regular basis.

The word hardscape means any space devoted to a landscape and comprised of hard wearing materials. Some examples of materials used in hardscaping include concrete, stone and similar construction materials. In contrast, soft landscaping mostly refers to bark, grass and other natural components.

There are numerous things that are done with landscaping of this type. People who do exterior design and planning, as well as landscapers, can work with their clients to put together a plan that looks good and is also functional. Utilizing construction materials, instead of natural components, is often an advantage. This is especially true when it comes to building set ups that have been customized. Many people opt to put soft and hard components together in a design. This makes for a look that is not too organic or too rigid, but is functional and aesthetically pleasing.

When there is no bare soil in an area, the hardscapes must have some method if drainage or surface runoff. This is important for removal of water that would naturally absorb into the ground as groundwater, but cannot when there is no nearby soil. The artificial methods may not be able to effectively drain an area when there are thunderstorms, hurricanes, typhoons and other natural occurrences that bring in a lot of water.

Hardscape design is related to landscaping. Unlike softscapes, these are set up to include construction materials, such as stone and concrete. Designs of this type are usually found in suburban and urban areas where there are housing developments, sidewalks, streets, businesses complexes and more. There are a lot of landscapers and other professionals who help people set these designs up so that they look good and are functional. Usually components of soft and hard are put together.




About the Author:



1 comments:

Anonymous said...

If you have hired the services of a professional hardscape and landscape services Services, you will stay relaxed always. You no need to have concerns about from where to get the materials or tools. 

Post a Comment