Royal Creations Blog

What Is A Hardscape?

Hardscape is a design term that means the inanimate parts of the landscape.  Softscape means the living parts of the landscape.  Generally, the hardscape is installed before the softscape, so it doesn’t damage any of the plants going in.  We will usually install at least one, but possibly all, of the following components. 

• Patios 
• Decks 

• Fire Features 
• Pergolas and Roof Structures 

Patios 

The patio is a paved outdoor area adjoining the house.  It can be made out of natural or man-made materials.  We use three different types of material to make a patio.  Each has advantages and disadvantages. 

Concrete   

Concrete is easy to work with and is the cheapest material we install.  However, as the soil freezes and thaws, it can move under the concrete.  This can cause it to crack.  Also, if there are pipes or wires under the concrete that need repair, you will have to hammer out the concrete for access to them.  This can quickly get expensive. 

Pavers   

These are our most popular patio material.  Approximately 80% of the patios we install are made of some sort of paver.  Pavers are individual concrete pieces that are laid in a pattern to form a patio.  They come in all shapes and sizes.  Our favorite paver manufacturers are  Belgard and Unilock brands for their quality and range of products available.  Pavers are more expensive then concrete but are much more durable.  They are a flexible pavement, which means they can move with soils instead of cracking.  They can be dug up to get to pipes or wires below them and then reinstalled, instead of being destroyed as they are removed. 

Natural Stone  

 This is the best choice as stone will weather the best.  They can be in shapes, irregular pieces, or as squares or rectangles, depending on the formality of the landscape.  They never go out of style as they are from the earth.    We lay them in a mortar bed on a concrete base or dry lay on an aggregate base.  We use polymeric joint sand to fill the gaps between them when laid on aggregate.  Natural stone is more expensive than the other two materials but will last a lifetime. 

Decks 

A deck is an elevated structure adjacent to the home.  They are often built so that you can enjoy a view, such as by a lake or creek.  There are several different materials you can chose for your deck. 

Wood   

Wood decks are probably the most common.  You can use pressure treated wood to repel insects that might eat the wood, such as carpenter ants or termites.  A more organic solution is cedar wood, which naturally repels insects and is also resistant to rotting.  Wood is normally the cheapest material to build a deck with, but lumber is in short supply right now and is quite expensive.  This can add to the price of a deck, so quotes may need to be adjusted based on the current price of lumber.  Decks do require periodic sanding and re-staining as the sun makes the stain fade.  Or you can let the wood age naturally for more of a grey tree bark look overtime. 

Composite material  This is a blend of wood fiber and PVC.  It looks like wood but is much more durable.  It does not need to be sanded or stained as the color is added when the product is manufactured.  Composite boards come in many different colors.  You will need to sweep debris such as leaves off it regularly and hose it off periodically.  Composite material is more expensive than wood and cannot quite match the warm glow of natural wood. 

PVC boards  These boards look like wood but are all PVC.  PVC boards are strong, durable, and low maintenance.  They are more expensive than wood or composite material and do shrink and swell during temperature fluctuations. 

Alternatives   

Decks don’t have to be constructed with wood or wood lookalikes.  We can use a steel frame and put pavers, stone, or tile down instead of wood.  These types of decks are long lasting and the lowest maintenance of the choices we install.  Since they are unusual, they are great conversation pieces, as well. 

Fire Features 

Fire features usually go on top of patios and decks.  They add to the enjoyment of evenings outside.  Fire features can use natural gas, liquid propane, or wood.  We install several types of fire features.   

Fire pits   

These are structures that contain fire in a bowl or pit inside the structure.  They are great for sitting around on a cool evening or making marshmallows.  They are an inexpensive way to add fire to your outdoor space. 

Fireplaces  

 We can build a gas fired or wood burning fireplace in your outdoor living space.  These look like the traditional fireplaces inside a home, but do not have the size constraints home fireplaces do.  They add a warmth and depth to your outdoor space.  We can even put a spit in the fireplace so you can roast your food over it. 

Fire Tables   

These tables have a fire inset that burns while you eat.  It can be used as a flame to prepare a meal or just to enjoy one by.  The tables are usually resin, metal, or stone and use natural gas or liquid propane as a fuel.  They can include a glass wind guard, so the flames are not blown out by a breeze. 

Outdoor kitchens and pizza ovens   

Southern homes used to have summer kitchens outside that had a roof and were enclosed by screen.  This meant the house was not heated up by the stove and ovens when it was already hot.  It also gave the cooks some relief from the heat.  We don’t have to worry about that now but having an outdoor kitchen and/or pizza oven can make preparing for a crowd easier without the cook having to miss the party.  Pizza cooked over an open flame just tastes better than one cooked in a conventional oven. 

Pergolas and Roof Structures 

Pergolas are structures, usually made out of wood, that cast shade so you can enjoy the outdoors without the heat of the direct sun.  They must be designed and oriented for your lot to cast shade when and where needed.  Often people grow vines or vining roses up and over the pergolas for a stylish look and added shade.  There are several styles available to choose from. 

If you want shade and protection from rain, we can install a roofed structure.  Often called pavilions, the roof allows for additional amenities such as fans, lights, and heaters.  Pavilions can be screened in to protect from insects while allowing cooling breezes to flow through the space. 

Hardscapes provide elements to improve your outdoor living space.  Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping can design and install any of these components for you.  We can advise you on what the best hardscapes are to facilitate your goals for your outdoor living space and show you what that would look like.  Book a consultation with Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping today to get started.