Most people are familiar with the idea of landscaping. However, hardscaping is a lot less familiar to many, and it often gets mixed up with landscaping. Both terms are important and closely related. It’s no surprise that they sound alike. That said, there are some important differences between the two. Let’s take a closer look. If you should have any further questions or concerns after reading this article, feel free to get in touch.
What Hardscaping Means
Hardscaping refers to using man-made structures and materials when shaping a yard or similar space. For example, if you’re having a cement patio installed or are laying down a brick walkway that leads from the front door to the sidewalk, that’s considered hardscaping. As the name would suggest, hardscaping often involves hard objects, although in some cases the materials aren’t especially hard. You might put down rubber padding, for example, around your child’s jungle gym.
How Hardscaping and Landscaping Differ
Landscaping refers to working with naturally occurring materials and objects. Plants are the most common example. If you have a company install a flower bed, that would be considered landscaping. Likewise, if someone is cutting your grass or trimming your bushes, these services could also be considered landscaping.
Often, the lines between hardscaping and landscaping can be blurry. If you’re making a path and opt to use packed dirt and woodchips rather than cement, this could be considered landscaping. However, as soon as you put cement down, it’s now hardscaping. In both cases, you’re accomplishing the same end goal, more or less, but the materials used are different.
Why People Use Hardscaping
So, why bother having your outdoor spaces hardscaped? The reasons can vary from person to person. However, many hardscaping projects focus on making outdoor spaces more comfortable and useful. If you want to get the most out of your yard or a similar space, working with hardscapers may offer the best way to do so.
If you want to host people for barbecues, for example, the right cement patio can go a long way. Looking to leave a favorable impression on visitors? A fountain or koi pond could go a long way. Ultimately, there are many different options.
According to Yardzen, you can expect to pay between $15 to $50 per square foot for solid hardscaping like stone patios. When you’re ready to make this exciting investment, call Patioscape today. We offer the best professional services and love serving local communities. Together, we can build stunning spaces!
