Landscaping design services are only the beginning of what we do here at Benninger Landscaping. Our team, based in Cornwall-on-Hudson, is also very skilled at hardscaping, a term and process that may be unfamiliar to you. Not to worry! We’ve dedicated this entire blog post to to explaining what hardscaping is and how it can add value to your life. Keep reading to learn more about hardscaping, what it involves, and what the benefits of it are for your property. Then, use the button below to contact our team immediately to set up a consultation! We’d love to hear your vision for your property, and come up with a landscaping design plan that exceeds your dreams.
Hardscaping Definition
In a previous post, we mentioned the fact that there are two main categories of landscape design: softscaping and hardscaping. A clue to the difference between these two can be found right there in their names, “soft” versus “hard.” While softscaping is the process of working with living/pliable elements of a landscaping theme, hardscaping is the process of working with inanimate/hard elements of a landscaping theme. Soft and hard landscaping elements work together to provide the best experience and aesthetic for the property owner as well as the natural environment.
Benninger Landscaping has been hired to provide many people in the Hudson Valley with the hardscaping services they need to enjoy their property to the fullest. Sometimes these projects are fairly small and sometimes they’re large. Although many people may prefer to DIY their landscaping improvements, hardscaping is generally best left up to the professionals because of the heavy machinery and labor required, as well as the geometry and building skills.
Common Hardscaping Materials
- Concrete
- Brick
- Paving Stones
- Natural Boulders
- Wood
- Metal
Common Hardscaping Projects
As you might imagine from the list of hardscaping materials above, the kinds of projects you use to augment your current landscaping are nearly endless. However, there are some features that we’ve been asked to install or repair for many of our Hudson Valley clients. Here are just a few of our favorites:
- Retaining Walls – This hardscaping feature is designed to hold back (retain) either earth or water. Retaining walls can be created from a variety of materials depending on the location and purpose, including concrete blocks, poured concrete, treated timbers, rocks or boulders. To build a retaining wall correctly, one must have a strong knowledge of physics as well as how organic materials react in the face of dynamic weather.
- Patios – This term is generally used to describe a paved outdoor area that commonly adjoins a house or other building. Most people use their patios as extended living spaces, customizing them for dining or recreation. Patios made out of paving stones are much more comfortable for barefeet and are a great place to display plants or place a glider swing.
- Walkways – You invest a lot of time and energy into growing beautiful grass, why waste it by tromping all over the lawn every time you enter or exit your house? With the installation of a walkway made of bricks or other paving stones, you can create a beautiful way to access your home or business without damaging the surrounding landscaping.
- Decks – Is your dining room located on the top floor of a split level ranch? Have you ever wished that instead of looking out the window, you could walk right out of it into a beautiful outdoor dining area? Building a deck allows you to do just that.
- Fountains/Ponds – Some people are surprised to learn that hardscaping also includes water features like fountains and ponds! Adding the relaxing sound of water to your residential or commercial property increases the beauty and uniqueness of your outdoor spaces (and requires very little maintenance!).
Contact Benninger Landscaping to learn more about our hardscaping services today!