Choosing Landscape Construction Materials (Hardscape)

Your selection should be based on: Quality Quality Durability Durability Cost Cost Long-term maintenance requirements Long-term maintenance requirements

Earth/Soil Can be graded into any 3-dimensional shape > sculpted to the form you desire: Can be graded into any 3-dimensional shape > sculpted to the form you desire: berms, mounds, etc. berms, mounds, etc.

< Berm

Rock “Rock” could be boulders, cobbles, stone and gravel as paving, for building walls as groundcovers and surfacing. “Rock” could be boulders, cobbles, stone and gravel as paving, for building walls as groundcovers and surfacing. Can be used in its natural state or as cut stone, sawed stone or polished stone. It is more expensive than most artificial materials but it is very durable, with interesting texture. Can be used in its natural state or as cut stone, sawed stone or polished stone. It is more expensive than most artificial materials but it is very durable, with interesting texture.

Transportation costs can be higher than the stone itself!

Rock Its appropriateness depends on how well one uses it in relation to the site and to other landscape materials. Its appropriateness depends on how well one uses it in relation to the site and to other landscape materials. Guideline: natural rock should be placed as nearly as possible to the position it occupied in nature. Guideline: natural rock should be placed as nearly as possible to the position it occupied in nature. Emphasize horizontal dimensions - they should give an impression of stability. Emphasize horizontal dimensions - they should give an impression of stability.

Chinese-style garden

Flagstone has horizontal layers that can be split into large, flat slabs. It is most suitable for paving patios and walks and comes in various colors. Flagstone has horizontal layers that can be split into large, flat slabs. It is most suitable for paving patios and walks and comes in various colors. Fieldstone is composed of irregular blocks of uncut stone of various sizes found on or under the earth. Fieldstone is composed of irregular blocks of uncut stone of various sizes found on or under the earth.

Flagstone

Examples of flagstone applications

Formal pattern

Using fieldstone in informal and formal applications

Granite is a very hard, strong and durable. Its texture can be fine or durable and may be found in various colors but is most often gray. Granite pavers, also referred to as cobblestones or granite setts, are quarried and are set in mortar/sand mixes. Granite is a very hard, strong and durable. Its texture can be fine or durable and may be found in various colors but is most often gray. Granite pavers, also referred to as cobblestones or granite setts, are quarried and are set in mortar/sand mixes. Pebbles are small stones, rounded by the action of water. They can be used as a textured ground cover. Pebbles are small stones, rounded by the action of water. They can be used as a textured ground cover. Gravel results from the disintegration of rocks or blasting. It is relatively inexpensive but it is hard to confine, difficult to walk on and may present a glare problem. Gravel results from the disintegration of rocks or blasting. It is relatively inexpensive but it is hard to confine, difficult to walk on and may present a glare problem. (Alternative loose aggregates: bark and wood chips) (Alternative loose aggregates: bark and wood chips)

Granite Pavers

Pebbles

Gravel – in several colors

Using rock in the landscape

Concrete Concrete is an inexpensive form of paving but it can be dull and uninteresting. A large expanse of concrete can be visually overwhelming as well. Concrete is an inexpensive form of paving but it can be dull and uninteresting. A large expanse of concrete can be visually overwhelming as well. There are several ways to finish the surface of concrete: Colored Colored Jointed Jointed Exposed aggregate Exposed aggregate Stamped Stamped

Available concrete colors

Colored, jointed concrete

Exposed aggregate concrete

Stamped concrete applications

Manufactured Masonry Units – brick, concrete blocks & precast concrete pavers Manufactured in standard sizes Brick is hard-burned clay. It comes in a standard size except for paving brick which is ½ as thick. Brick is hard-burned clay. It comes in a standard size except for paving brick which is ½ as thick. It is solid, durable and can be laid in a variety of attractive patterns. Laid on sand, they can be slightly uneven and are subject to frost action but can be easily reset. It is solid, durable and can be laid in a variety of attractive patterns. Laid on sand, they can be slightly uneven and are subject to frost action but can be easily reset. Textures and colors vary. Textures and colors vary. Avoid too busy patterns that can dominate a landscape. Avoid too busy patterns that can dominate a landscape.

Concrete blocks are composed of Portland cement, aggregate and water. Concrete blocks are composed of Portland cement, aggregate and water. Patio block is made of similar material and is available in a variety of sizes and shapes. Patio block is made of similar material and is available in a variety of sizes and shapes. Concrete pavers come in various textures, colors, sizes, shapes and thicknesses. Some are interlocking and sometimes different shapes can be combined to make interesting patterns. They are used for patios, walkways and driveways and are set in mortar or sand. Concrete pavers come in various textures, colors, sizes, shapes and thicknesses. Some are interlocking and sometimes different shapes can be combined to make interesting patterns. They are used for patios, walkways and driveways and are set in mortar or sand.

Examples of paver patterns and colors

Wood Its abundance and low cost make it a practical selection for hardscaping and its color, texture and grain patterns add a natural richness to the landscape. Its abundance and low cost make it a practical selection for hardscaping and its color, texture and grain patterns add a natural richness to the landscape. Wood can decay as a result of fungi and insect attack but there are methods of preservation treatment Wood can decay as a result of fungi and insect attack but there are methods of preservation treatment

Asphalt The most common landscape surfacing material for walks, parking areas and driveways. The most common landscape surfacing material for walks, parking areas and driveways. Its main appeal is its low cost and quick installation. Its main appeal is its low cost and quick installation. It can get hot in the summer, however and requires regular resealing. It can get hot in the summer, however and requires regular resealing.

Stamped asphalt