Although many people use the terms Vegas landscape and Vegas hardscape interchangeably, these two terms are different. Landscape refers to all the living or “soft” things in your outdoor space. These things include plants, flowers, grass, and trees. Landscapers usually focus on cultivating these things to ensure that they turn an outdoor space into a relaxing and calm oasis.
On the other hand, hardscape refers to all the non-living things in your outdoor space. These things include pools, patios, decks, driveways, and arbors. In short, hardscape refers to brick, rock, wood, stone, pavers, and concrete elements in your outdoor space.
Landscaping vs. Hardscaping
Landscaping involves taking care of the living components of your outdoor space. It involves planting and maintaining the grass and flowers in your outdoor space. A Las Vegas landscaper can help you do this. On the other hand, hardscaping involves manipulating the hard materials in your outdoor space to improve your yard’s overall appearance.
A landscaper in Las Vegas can employ more creativity when hardscaping than when landscaping. Manipulating hard materials is usually easier than manipulating soft materials. For example, think about the wooden elements in your outdoor space. Unlike living plants, these elements can be sculpted and made into certain useful items.
Other Differences Between Landscaping and Hardscaping
If you talk to landscape contractors in Las Vegas, NV, they will tell you that different techniques and approaches are used when landscaping and hardscaping. Landscaping is scientific, while hardscaping is artistic. That is why, when hardscaping, you should work with a professional who knows a lot about hardscape materials. They should know how to incorporate engineered, artificial, quarried, and natural materials into a yard. They should also know how to create color schemes with these materials and how to create surfaces that will match the overall appearance of the property in question. In short, you should work with a creative hardscaping contractor.
All About Hardscaping
You will find many hardscape elements in many homes. These elements help certain areas of homes to remain accessible. For example, for your house to remain accessible, it needs to have a patio and a driveway. Also, if you have a pool in your home, it will not function well if it lacks proper decking.
Hardscape elements also prevent excess water absorption. For instance, think of a situation whereby there are no rocks or concrete in your outdoor space. Rain and house water will degrade the exterior of your home. However, when there are hardscape elements around your home, they will protect the foundation of your house.
Hardscaping elements can help improve the overall appearance of your yard and still serve their purposes. For example, stone benches in your yard can be used as relaxing spots as well as improve the overall appearance of the outdoor space. Paved walkways and vertical walls can do the same too.
Hardscaping Plans
There are ideas you can incorporate into your hardscaping plan to ensure that landscape and hardscape elements are in harmony.
• Go for brick instead of concrete patios since brick structures offer a more natural and relaxed look. However, if you need a versatile patio option, go for concrete.
• Use stone retaining walls to convert slopes into yard spaces.
• Stone retaining walls can help you create areas where you can plant flowers.
• If you intend to create walkways in your garden, build stone walkways.
• Gazebos can enhance the overall appearance of your outdoor space and offer shade.
Why Complete Hardscaping Projects?
Hardscaping your outdoor space can help improve its appearance and functionality. However, you will achieve this only if you carefully choose your hardscaping materials. For instance, if you live in a sloppy area, you should add stone stairs and paths to your outdoor space. These hardscaping elements will help you level off the ground. You should also consider building retaining walls in your space. These walls will help minimize flooding and soil erosion.
Hardscaping elements such as gates and fences will provide protection and privacy. They can also help you divide different sections of your home. Some hardscaping elements such as outdoor fireplaces and fire pits can make your outdoor space usable. Your family can get to spend more time outdoors.
All About Vegas Landscape
Las Vegas landscape usually comprises hardscapes and “soft” elements. Therefore, you should consider these two elements if you plan to carry out a landscaping project. For instance, you need to figure out how they will impact the overall purpose of your yard. You should also consider how the hardscape elements you want to add to your outdoor space will affect the available landscape options. If you misplace any of these hardscaping options, the high chance is that it will negatively affect the drainage around your home. That may also raise safety and structural concerns.
How to Combine Hardscaping With Landscaping in Las Vegas
Vegas landscape elements usually transform an outdoor space into a more appealing area. They can help you add interest, texture, and richness to your outdoor space. They can also help you fill empty spaces. For instance, you can plant flowers in the leftover spaces in your yard to improve the overall appeal of your outdoor space.
There are no rules you should follow when incorporating landscapes and hardscapes into your outdoor space. Also, none of these two is more important. Therefore, balance is key when incorporating hardscapes and landscapes. Also, you should ensure that hardscape elements improve the overall feel of your landscape.
You can decide to add large hardscape elements to your outdoor space and then accessorize them with plants. You can also choose to plant grass and flowers in your outdoor space and add a few hardscaping elements to this space. In short, as the property owner, you are free to choose what appeals to you. However, remember that a yard with grass and flowers needs pavements and a verdant lawn needs a few hardscape elements to make it more appealing.
When carrying out landscaping and hardscaping projects at a go, you should ensure that your “soft” elements complement your hardscape elements. For instance, any bushes, grass, or flowers you plant should complement the stone and wooden pieces in your space. You should also ensure that your pool deck and patio are your focal points. That will help you create a space that feels natural. Such large focal points will also help you hide any voids in the outdoor space.
Also, you should always consider your focal point hardscape before adding “soft” elements to your space. It will be easy to create innovations since it will be easy for you to come up with more landscape ideas.
Tips That Will Help You When Carrying Out Hardscaping and Landscaping Projects
Ensure that your hardscaping has a purpose. You should focus on creating hardscaping elements that will be used for certain purposes. For instance, instead of placing stones in your yard, build a fireplace using those stones. Doing this will help you create focal points in your space.
You should use soft elements to create places that will allow your eyes to rest. For instance, you should plant grass and flowers in between focal points. Your landscaping will feel natural when you do this.
You should consider drainage when carrying out landscaping and hardscaping projects. Therefore, consider features that will help improve drainage when coming up with a hardscaping design. These features include stone steps and retaining walls. You should also consider what you would do to areas where water stagnates. Hardscaping materials can help you fix such areas.
You should focus on creating curves when hardscaping and landscaping rather than creating straight lines. That will help you create an environment that feels natural and authentic. It will also give you room to bring in some creativity.
Excessive landscaping will make your space feel cold. Excessive hardscaping, on the other hand, will make your space look unnatural. Therefore, you should mix your hardscaping and landscaping. You should, however, think about the natural contraction and expansion of the earth before putting your hardscaping elements in place. These materials can get damaged if placed above the frost line.
Hardscaping and landscaping are closely related terms. However, they are different. Hardscaping involves adding brick and mortar elements to an outdoor space. These elements include pools, decks, arbors, and patios. Landscaping, on the other hand, involves adding grass, vegetables, flowers, and other living plants to your yard.
Share this post!
