Let’s Get Ready to Spend Some Time Outdoors
In today’s blog, Wheaton discusses hardscaping and how you can turn your Fremont backyard into a unique outdoor living space! Let’s get into the hows and why so you can choose before the summer outdoor entertaining season!
The Material
Many forms of hardscaping material can be used to create varied looks, from modern to class to rustic! Stones have stood the test of time and still make a great walkway or wall.
Meanwhile, concrete is a versatile material you can shape to look like anything you wish, including stone.
We combine classic looks with modern advances to create a space in which you’ll want to spend all your time.
The Hardscape Design
Before beginning any landscape installation project, we like to consult with the client on landscape design. Our approach to hardscape design is the same.
We will discuss how you plan to use your installation and how you’d like it to look. That may include blending it in with your home’s current aesthetic or creating a brand-new look. Either way, we’ll also survey your property to understand what is already present and how to find it in your new hardscape installation.
Remember To Think About the Big Pictures
It pays to have a landscaper do your hardscaping! That’s because we understand how changing your property will affect everything growing in it. Of course, every time you dig in the ground, you’ll affect root systems, but that’s only the begging of the effects!
Changing a surface from porous to unporous will change your water management. So some plants will get more water while others may get less. We’ll help you think through all of that during the design process.
Hardscaping Choices
The types of hardscaping material and aesthetics are rivaled only by the many choices of what you can build with them! Hardscapes can be large or small, practical, decorative, or anything in between. Here are some of our favorite things to create!
Patios
The patio is the start of the outdoor party, even if it’s a party of one! We love to go outside on our patios to sip a cup and listen to the birds chirp. But they’re also the center of any summer barbeque or garden party!
Any concrete pad outside your backdoor is a patio; for some homeowners, that’s enough. But sometimes we want more!
As patios grow and we add features, we call them outdoor living spaces. They may include fire and water elements, cooking surfaces, and even complete outdoor kitchens!
Walkways
How do you get from your patio to your gardens? The best way is a walkway!
Walkways can be contiguous concrete, cobblestone, or a combination, but no matter how we build them, they protect your gardens from trodding feet. But walking paths aren’t just a friendly way to say watch your step. They also provide a frame for your gardens, helping them stand out.
Finally, there’s a practical safety benefit to your walkways. They create a level surface for safe walking. Level land is especially relevant for anyone with mobility issues or older relatives who are unsteady on their feet.
Fire Pits
If you want to be cool, you have to bring the heat. Nothing lights up a gathering like a fire pit! They’re a lovely place to gather while also providing light and warmth.
The practicality of fire pits allows you to extend your gatherings later into the evening as people can continue to see each other and not grow cold. Perhaps that’s what makes firepits one of our most popular hardscaping features.
Retaining Walls
Finally, there’s a retaining wall, an oft-misunderstood feature that can do more than hold up a hill. While retaining walls do a stellar job at preventing erosion, they can also be a way to build up raised gardens so your landscaping has more height. Or create tiered walls to create extra seating among your flowers at your gatherings.
Don’t Do Your Scapes the Hard Way
If you’re considering how to best enjoy the upcoming summer, we recommend giving hardscaping a closer look. But don’t try to do it on your own!
Your best bet for your hardscape project is a professional landscaper with experience like Wheatons. We’ll help you think through your design and safely install your new installation so you can enjoy it for years to come!