Vegas Landscape Materials That Aren’t Sun-Friendly and Ones That Are
A landscaping project can add beauty to your home. It can also add some curb appeal. However, when taking on a Vegas landscape project, one thing to keep in mind is the sun. Choosing the wrong materials for your project can make your patio and yard unbearable to be in. Therefore, it is important to know what materials to avoid when landscaping in Las Vegas, and the best ones you can use instead.
Pavers and Your Vegas Landscape
Pavers and other types of outdoor flooring are known to absorb the sun’s heat. Materials like stone, concrete, and asphalt are all going to absorb heat. If you are set on installing pavers for your patio, you may wonder if they are cooler options for pavers.
Color
Darker colors are more likely to absorb the sun which can make pavers hotter. The Solar Reflectance Index can measure your pavers’ temperature. Not only will it tell you how hot your pavers are going to get, but it also will also let you know if they have the ability to reflect heat. Although cooler, a light color paver may have to be cleaned more.
Paver Material
Installing pavers for your outdoor patio and driveway is a great investment. They can provide an aesthetic for your home that reflects your taste. They can also allow you to customize your space. If you live in a hot climate, though, you want to be aware of the material you choose for your pavers. You also want to be aware of how color can affect the temperature of your driveway and walkway.
Hot Paver Options
Choosing a red brick paver can cause you to burn your feet. Redbrick is known to absorb a lot of heat from the sun. It is a popular material for pizza ovens due to this fact. Therefore, you may want to choose a different material for your pool deck and driveway. Concrete is a little cooler than brick, but they do absorb heat.
Cool Paver Options
One type of paver that is cooler than concrete is travertine. In fact, it is 20-30% cooler. This stone is beautiful and will provide decorative flooring for your patio. If you have a young family or your feet are sensitive, this is a great option for you.
Another cool paver option is porcelain. Porcelain is not only beautiful, but it is great for temperature control. Although it is typically used indoors, it is a great outdoor option as well. Porcelain pavers are not susceptible to fading and can be cleaned easily.
Ways to Keep Pavers Cool
One way to cool down your pavers is to hose them down. This is only a temporary solution, but it can help make the burn bearable. Another option is to install outdoor fans. Putting a fan near the lounging area or pool deck will help with air circulation and keep the pavers at a comfortable temperature.
Planting trees can also help keep your patio area cool. Trees can block out the sun and provide coverage for pavers. You can also plant trees by your pool deck, driveway, and walkway. This is a practical way to keep your pavers cool.
Keep Pavers from Fading
Sometimes the sun can cause your outdoor flooring and pavers to fade. Although it seems impossible to keep the beautiful colors on your pavers from fading, there are some options that can help with this problem.
First, you want to take care of your pavers from the beginning. Then, you want to have them sealed and keep any weeds from growing through the pavers. Inspect your pavers and make sure they aren’t coming loose. If they are loose, put them back or repair them.
Plants for a Vegas Landscape
Choosing the right plants for your landscaping project is very important. However, if the plants you choose are not able to deal with full sun, you may be disappointed by the look of your garden after a few days. Although most plants need sunlight, excessive sunlight can lead to the production of deadly free radicals.
Plants get their energy from the sun through photon-capturing molecules, carotenoid and chlorophyll. Too much sun, though, can cause the molecules to take in more energy than necessary. As a result, they may produce reactive oxygen species that end up destroying the plant.
Drought-Friendly Plants
A great way to keep your landscape looking good and save some money is to plant drought-tolerant plants. You can add greenery to your garden without the headache of watering the plants. There are many plants to choose from that suit your tastes and the style of your garden.
Succulents are a great plant choice. Although they need to be watered on a regular basis, they need considerably less water than other plants out there. It is important that they are planted in well-drained soil. They do require some soil dryness between the times that you are watering them. They thrive in full sun which makes them perfect for your Las Vegas landscape.
Cacti are great because they like the sun, and they don’t need a lot of water. Plus there are some cacti that produce pretty flowers, like the prickly pear cactus. They do well in well-drained soil.
Lavender also does well with infrequent watering. When you first plant them, they will need to be watered well. However, once they are established, you don’t have to water as much. They enjoy full sun. They also give off a really nice scent that can be calming.
Vegetable Gardens
If you enjoy growing your own food, a vegetable garden can be a great addition to a landscaping project. Vegetables, for the most part, need full sun to thrive. They do well in stone-line beds that have been installed permanently in the yard.
Having a raised bed makes it easier to maintain the vegetables because they need less weeding, and they are easier to access. A landscape contractor can help you put in stone vegetable beds.
The Wrap Up
Choosing the right materials for your landscape is an important part of creating an oasis. Dark, brick pavers are not the best option for your patio as they can burn your feet as you attempt to make your way to the pool. Choosing plants that can only bear partial sunlight is also not good because they can die in the full sun. This is especially true for your landscape in Las Vegas.