Choosing Landscape Choosing Landscape Construction Materials Construction Materials

(Hardscape)(Hardscape)

Your selection Your selection should be based on:should be based on:

QualityQuality DurabilityDurability CostCost Long-term maintenance Long-term maintenance

requirements requirements

Earth/SoilEarth/Soil

Can be graded into any 3-Can be graded into any 3-dimensional shape > sculpted to the dimensional shape > sculpted to the form you desire:form you desire:

berms, mounds, etc.berms, mounds, etc.

< Berm

RockRock ““Rock” could be boulders, cobbles, Rock” could be boulders, cobbles,

stone and gravel as paving, for building stone and gravel as paving, for building walls as groundcovers and surfacing.walls as groundcovers and surfacing.

Can be used in its natural state or as Can be used in its natural state or as cut stone, sawed stone or polished cut stone, sawed stone or polished stone. It is more expensive than most stone. It is more expensive than most artificial materials but it is very artificial materials but it is very durable, with interesting texture.durable, with interesting texture.

Transportation costs can be higher than the stone itself!

RockRock Its appropriateness depends on how Its appropriateness depends on how

well one uses it in relation to the site well one uses it in relation to the site and to other landscape materials.and to other landscape materials.

Guideline: natural rock should be Guideline: natural rock should be placed as nearly as possible to the placed as nearly as possible to the position it occupied in nature. position it occupied in nature.

Emphasize horizontal dimensions - Emphasize horizontal dimensions - they should give an impression of they should give an impression of stability.stability.

Chinese-style garden

FlagstoneFlagstone has horizontal layers that has horizontal layers that can be split into large, flat slabs. It is can be split into large, flat slabs. It is most suitable for paving patios and most suitable for paving patios and walks and comes in various colors.walks and comes in various colors.

FieldstoneFieldstone is composed of irregular is composed of irregular blocks of uncut stone of various sizes blocks of uncut stone of various sizes found on or under the earth.found on or under the earth.

Flagstone

Examples of flagstone applications

Formal pattern

Using fieldstone in informal and formal applications

GraniteGranite is a very hard, strong and durable. is a very hard, strong and durable. Its texture can be fine or durable and may Its texture can be fine or durable and may be found in various colors but is most be found in various colors but is most often gray. Granite pavers, also referred often gray. Granite pavers, also referred to as cobblestones or granite setts, are to as cobblestones or granite setts, are quarried and are set in mortar/sand mixes.quarried and are set in mortar/sand mixes.

PebblesPebbles are small stones, rounded by the are small stones, rounded by the action of water. They can be used as a action of water. They can be used as a textured ground cover.textured ground cover.

GravelGravel results from the disintegration of results from the disintegration of rocks or blasting. It is relatively rocks or blasting. It is relatively inexpensive but it is hard to confine, inexpensive but it is hard to confine, difficult to walk on and may present a difficult to walk on and may present a glare problem.glare problem.

(Alternative loose aggregates: bark and (Alternative loose aggregates: bark and wood chips)wood chips)

Granite Pavers

Pebbles

Gravel – in several colors

Using rock in the landscape

ConcreteConcrete ConcreteConcrete is an inexpensive form of paving is an inexpensive form of paving

but it can be dull and uninteresting. A but it can be dull and uninteresting. A large expanse of concrete can be visually large expanse of concrete can be visually overwhelming as well.overwhelming as well.

There are several ways to finish the surface There are several ways to finish the surface of concrete: of concrete:

ColoredColored JointedJointed Exposed aggregateExposed aggregate StampedStamped

Availableconcrete

colors

Colored, jointed concrete

Exposed aggregateconcrete

Stamped concrete applications

Manufactured Masonry Units Manufactured Masonry Units – brick, concrete blocks – brick, concrete blocks

& precast concrete pavers& precast concrete pavers

Manufactured in standard sizesManufactured in standard sizes BrickBrick is hard-burned clay. It comes in a standard is hard-burned clay. It comes in a standard

size except for paving brick which is ½ as thick. size except for paving brick which is ½ as thick. It is solid, durable and can be laid in a variety of It is solid, durable and can be laid in a variety of

attractive patterns. Laid on sand, they can be attractive patterns. Laid on sand, they can be slightly uneven and are subject to frost action but slightly uneven and are subject to frost action but can be easily reset. can be easily reset.

Textures and colors vary. Textures and colors vary. Avoid too busy patterns that can dominate a Avoid too busy patterns that can dominate a

landscape.landscape.

Concrete blocksConcrete blocks are composed of are composed of Portland cement, aggregate and water.Portland cement, aggregate and water.

Patio blockPatio block is made of similar material is made of similar material and is available in a variety of sizes and and is available in a variety of sizes and shapes.shapes.

Concrete pavers Concrete pavers come in various come in various textures, colors, sizes, shapes and textures, colors, sizes, shapes and thicknesses. Some are interlocking and thicknesses. Some are interlocking and sometimes different shapes can be sometimes different shapes can be combined to make interesting patterns. combined to make interesting patterns. They are used for patios, walkways and They are used for patios, walkways and driveways and are set in mortar or driveways and are set in mortar or sand.sand.

Examples of paver patterns and colors

WoodWood Its abundance and low cost make it a Its abundance and low cost make it a

practical selection for hardscaping practical selection for hardscaping and its color, texture and grain and its color, texture and grain patterns add a natural richness to patterns add a natural richness to the landscape. the landscape.

Wood can decay as a result of fungi Wood can decay as a result of fungi and insect attack but there are and insect attack but there are methods of preservation treatment methods of preservation treatment

AsphaltAsphalt The most common landscape The most common landscape

surfacing material for walks, parking surfacing material for walks, parking areas and driveways. areas and driveways.

Its main appeal is its low cost and Its main appeal is its low cost and quick installation. quick installation.

It can get hot in the summer, It can get hot in the summer, however and requires regular however and requires regular resealing. resealing.

Stamped asphalt