Many people don’t realize that the term “landscaping” encompasses two separate methods: hardscaping and softscaping. Most landscaping designs incorporate both to create attractive results featuring various textures and colors. The below guide dives into the concept of hardscapes to help inspire your creative vision.

What Does Hardscaping Mean? 

Hardscaping refers to any non-living landscaping element—such as metal, wood, tile, brick, stone, concrete, and gravel. Softscaping, in comparison, concerns all living landscaping features, like flowers, vining plants, trees, grass, and shrubs. Unlike softscape elements, these features do not change with the seasons or require the same amount of care.

Hardscape features can also help control the elements, such as tiered retaining walls that reduce erosion. Some inanimate features have the opposite effect, such as paved surfaces that allow rainwater and various contaminants to flow into waterways instead of soaking into the soil. Erosion control methods may be necessary depending on the amount of paving the residential or commercial landscape includes.

What Are the Different Types of Hardscapes? 

There are many ways to beautify properties with hardscaping elements. These include freestanding structures, such as gazebos and wooden arbors, as well as those attached to homes, such as wooden decks and pergolas. Patios and walkways also fall into this category. Fencing made from metal, wood, or other materials is also considered a hardscaping feature.

Soft, mixed, and living hardscapes provide additional landscaping possibilities. Features comprised of sand, decomposed granite, and pea gravel are considered to be soft hardscapes, because the materials come from nature but are inanimate. Meanwhile, mixed hardscaping uses soft elements in combination with non-living materials, such as a pea gravel path with a brick border. Lastly, living hardscapes blend living with non-living elements—like a retaining wall with vining plants—to create a unique look. 

Discuss your hardscape ideas with Eliot’s Landscape, the landscaping company serving residential and commercial clients throughout the Canyon Lake, Spring Branch, and New Braunfels, TX, areas for over 20 years. Offering lawn care and lot clearing, among other services, they deliver expert results you’ll love. Call (800) 379-6079 today to schedule a consultation or learn more about landscape design services online.