Key Differences between Landscaping and Hardscaping

Landscaping and Hardscaping both provide a variety of functions, but in their own unique way. The materials used to hardscape are vastly different. A hardscape project will likely provide more function, but can still be beautiful. The cost differences are very noticeable, however, the benefits can outweigh the price point. Continue reading to learn about both of these design features, their differences, and how they can improve your home!

What is Hardscape Design?

Hardscape design incorporates hard, non-living materials into your outdoor space, which typically includes elements of function and beauty.

Functionally, some of the features of a hardscape include elements like walkways, retaining walls, shelters, driveways, and features to prevent erosion. There are many ways to incorporate hardscaping into your outdoor space. Creating an outdoor living space with an outdoor kitchen and seating area extends your home to the outdoors and provides a new space for entertaining. With hardscaping, you can truly transform your property by creating new uses for existing spaces.

Visually, hardscaping provides unique ways to add visual appeal to your home. Retaining walls can be used to create depth in your yard or garden, allowing plants to grow on different vertical levels. Hardscaping can be used to create texture and pathways with gravel, stone, pavers, and more. Outdoor structures like decks and pergolas can transform the look of your yard and provide additional ways for your landscaping to be featured.

Even a small amount of hardscaping can add a significant amount of function and visual appeal to your yard!

What is Landscape Design?

Flowers, bushes, hedges, and other plants make up the core of landscape design, sometimes called softscape design. These plants and natural elements create visual appeal in your yard while also making your outdoor space more inviting and relaxing.

Garden beds are a key element to landscaping and include organic materials like mulch, compost, flowers, herbs, shrubs, and more.

Some landscaping elements are added for practical reasons, like energy efficiency, property value, or preventing soil erosion. Landscape design is often used to visually block nearby unsightly structures or even to reduce noise pollution. Bushes and trees can create an organic barrier that separates your yard from the outside world. Even these practical landscaping features can be visually appealing and add to the attractiveness of your yard.

Most landscape design uses organic materials to make your outdoor living space more attractive. By making modifications to the property, you can create a space that is peaceful and inviting. Continue reading to learn more about how adding hardscaping to your yard can improve your outdoor living space.

Creating A Functional Space with Hardscaping

While landscaping is used more for visual appeal than function, hardscaping is the opposite. Hardscape features provide the opportunity to transform your outdoor area into a functional living space.

Practically speaking, hardscape elements serve a purpose. These features can be anything from brick retaining walls to stone pathways. Hardscape pathways make it easier and safer for people to move around the yard, especially at night when it’s more difficult to see. Retaining walls prevent soil erosion and offer the opportunity to utilize more parts of your property.

Hardscaping allows you to create an outdoor living space, an outdoor kitchen, or spaces for outdoor entertainment. A large patio offers a space to incorporate features for cooking, grilling, and entertaining. Hardscaping also includes outdoor shelters like pergolas, gazebos, and ways to cover a patio. All of these structural elements can extend your living space out into your backyard, giving you a versatile addition to your home. A well-designed hardscape increases the value of your property.

Choosing the right hardscaping materials is a major part of creating a functional space. Working with Ciminello’s, our team will take your feedback and create an outdoor design plan. Together, we can make adjustments to ensure you have the outdoor area of your dreams.

Integrating Masonry with Landscaping

Masonry is a key material in hardscape design. One can incorporate masonry in countless ways to create unique spaces that are molded to your outdoor area. The durability of masonry creates a juxtaposition with the soft, lush materials of landscape elements. The versatility of masonry means it can be used in a variety of design styles and offers unique solutions to distinct problems.

Paver bricks are frequently used to add features like a full patio, pathways, driveways, grill landing pads, fire pits and fireplaces, water features, retaining walls, garden edging, and more. Masonry is also extremely durable, and when installed and treated correctly, it can withstand harsh climates and the intense winter season. Its strength means it can be used to create walls and boundaries in your yard, and it can support large structures like covered patios and pergolas.

Anyone interested in using these elements to create an outdoor living room should consult Ciminello’s. Our experience in outdoor design gives us the skills to design and build a truly unique space. Masonry has a place in every backyard and outdoor entertainment space, and it can help completely transform your yard.

How Hardscaping Benefits You and Your Property

Hardscaping materials mostly include very durable materials like bricks, stone, wood, concrete, boulders, gravel, asphalt, and more. Hardscape materials are known to be strong and hold up to intense wear and tear, and are perfect to create an outdoor living space.

Unlike plants, hardscaping requires significantly less maintenance. Many hardscape materials only need general cleaning and maintenance once or twice a year. Some hardscape materials should be sealed to prevent water damage, especially pavers and concrete. Hardscape maintenance will vary depending on the materials. Outdoor elements are the biggest concern with hardscaping, but with proper preventive care, the issues are greatly mitigated. Unlike plants, a hardscape can be utilized throughout the entire year, giving you functionality beyond your landscaping.

Not only will hardscaping provide you with an outdoor recreation space to enjoy, but it will also increase the value of your property. Poor landscaping and hardscaping are widely known to be major factors in the real estate market.

Cost & Value: Landscape Vs. Hardscape

When comparing hardscape and landscape renovations, there are some stark differences. Looking at the upfront costs, the price of hardscaping greatly outweighs the cost of landscaping. Hardscaping materials are more expensive and often require a foundation to install. Large hardscape projects like decks and pools are much larger undertakings and require more of an investment.

Gardens, plants, bushes, and other items used to landscape a yard are significantly cheaper, however, they do require very regular maintenance, and unique care depending on the season. A hardscape feature requires very little regular maintenance other than cleaning. Cleaning a deck or patio can be done in an afternoon, but maintaining a large yard with a lot of landscaping can take hours per week. A balanced blend of both provides both function and beauty, and gives you more freedom in how you utilize your property.

Ciminello’s Custom Landscape & Hardscape Designs

Our design team at Ciminello’s Landscaping brings the dreams and visions of our clients to life. From large driveway courtyards to backyard dream worlds, we turn properties into gorgeous outdoor spaces. Work with our team to turn your ideas into life with our award-winning designers. Contact us to learn more or set up a meeting.

What’s the Difference Between Hardscape and Landscape?