Even though hardscaping and landscaping are related and they contribute to developing and designing the outdoor space, they are completely different in nature. While hardscaping is about creating a functional area and giving structure to the outdoor space, landscaping is about creating an aesthetically pleasing space and giving life to your yard.
A combination of proper hardscape and landscape design will make your outdoor space enjoyable and exciting. However, before you ask for hardscaping and landscaping services from a hardscape design company, you should know the difference between hardscaping and landscaping.
What Is Hardscaping?
Hardscaping is about building a functional space by using hard materials. This process may involve the installation of hardscape elements, such as stairs, patios, and sidewalks. Therefore, hardscaping is one type of landscaping with hard materials that take place in place of plants. Hard landscaping contractors will work with concrete materials, instead of plants and dirt.
Hardscaping is not as flexible as plant-based landscaping. You can neither change them easily nor grow plants on them. Even though the cost of hardscaping can be less than landscaping, hardscaping requires regular maintenance and a long-term commitment. Hardscaping helps you to prepare an outdoor space for entertaining guests, hosting barbecues, or playing games at the park.
What Is Landscaping?
Landscaping is about preparing an aesthetically pleasing outdoor space by using plants and flowers. Thelandscape design includes living and soft things, such as grass, trees, plants, and flowers. When it comes to commercial or residential development projects, landscaping plays a crucial component. This process will also improve your property value.
Landscaping brings certain benefits tour the environment as trees absorb carbon dioxide and reduce greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. Besides fighting global warming, landscaping also helps to reduce noise pollution. More importantly, it creates a place for several living creatures.
Landscaping creates a functional as well as visually pleasing space. Therefore, it is about creating harmony between man-made structures and the natural environment. You can prepare areas for water runoff, recreation, drainage, and driveways or walkways. During this process, you can use different combinations of soil modifications, such as peat mosses, mulches, composts, several other organic materials, fertilizers, lawnmowers, irrigation systems, pruning shears, etc.
Hardscaping Vs. Landscaping:
While Landscape design is meant to build an aesthetically pleasing space, hardscapes do not necessarily focus on visual impressions. Landscaping helps to develop curb appeal by adding plants, trees, and other elements. On the other hand, hardscaping creates functional spaces in the surroundings of your house by building decks, concrete walkways, or patios.
The Advantages of Hardscaping:
The major advantage of hardscaping is that your property becomes more accessible. Hardscaping also lasts long, eliminates unwanted vegetation, and survives after rain.
The Advantages of Landscaping:
Landscaping helps to improve the curb appeal of your property and gives a welcoming look to your house. It improves the air quality and water retention of the surrounding area. Landscaping makes the surroundings of your house livelier and attracts bees, butterflies, and birds.
Even though hardscaping and landscaping are different projects, together they produce a great outdoor space for enjoyment and relaxation.