Hardscaping FAQs from Ware Landscaping

If you live in the greater Chicago area, you know that excessive moisture can be both a blessing and a curse for your yard. Lawn care and maintenance become a frequent requirement. Your private outdoor sanctuary could turn into an overgrown source of stress, and the cost of your yard’s upkeep could become excessive.

The good news is, commercial and residential property owners alike can upgrade the beauty of their landscaping with low maintenance features. 

Striking hardscapes implemented throughout a yard can allow homeowners and commercial property owners to maintain their curb appeal, utilize outdoor gathering spaces, and enjoy the full value of their greatest investment.

But where can you turn for hardscaping help? An Illinois hardscape expert can create, design, and implement the hardscapes that best fit your vision for your yard.

A hardscaping multi-level retaining wall with a complex design

Hardscaping FAQs

What is hardscaping? 

Hardscaping is the aspect of landscaping that integrates man-made elements to create stand-out features in a yard. Commercial property owners and homeowners may have multiple hardscapes on their property. Environmentally-friendly materials like bark, stones, and tile can also be integrated into a hardscaping design scheme.  

Some of the most popular hardscaping designs create the following:

  • Decks
  • Firepits
  • Fountains
  • Outdoor Barbecue Pits
  • Outdoor Kitchens
  • Patios
  • Pool Areas
  • Outdoor Stairs
  • Walkways

How can Illinois hardscaping experts help? 

Based in Naperville, the hardscaping experts of Ware Landscaping have helped countless property owners implement beautiful landscaping designs through the integration of hardscapes. Hardscaping enables you to get the most out of your yard through every season.

Some of the ways our team can help meet your hardscaping needs include: 

  • Create solutions for any landscaping issues you face
  • Design custom hardscapes to fit your needs and dreams for your yard
  • Enhance the outdoor beauty of your property
  • Implement environmentally-sound, low-maintenance hardscapes
  • Work with the other elements in your landscaping design to ensure seamless aesthetics
Best Hardscapes

How to gain the most value from hardscaping?

Hardscaping designs can enhance the beauty and the real estate value of your Illinois property. DIY hardscapes can prove costly and time-consuming. Whether you choose to add hardscaping features on your own or just want to maintain areas created by hardscaping experts, you should plan your hardscapes wisely.

These hardscaping facts, tips, and tricks can help you gain the most value out of your yard.

What are some helpful hardscaping tips and hacks?

Since hardscaping doesn’t use materials found in your yard, you need to strategically plan how to add them to your natural landscape. For example, use bricks, pebbles, stones, and wood that match the color scheme found in your outdoor vegetation.

If you’re a commercial property owner, using permeable paving may give your outdoor patios and walkways a natural aesthetic.

You can get the most out of your yard’s hardscapes by utilizing these hardscaping hints and hacks as guidelines:

  • Plan your hardscaping based on your overall vision for your property. Do  the hardscaping elements you want to add detract from or enhance the landscape design already in place?  
  • Consult a seasoned landscaping team. Landscapers who have also successfully designed hardscapes can ensure that your yard drainage system and other aspects of your lawn won’t be damaged by your hardscaping plans.
  • Avoid only linear designs. If your yard slopes or naturally winds, plan your hardscapes to fit within these curves. Straight walkways or square patios may look jarring in a curvy or hilly yard.
  • Integrate plants. Consider hanging ivy or including a small garden on your hardscapes. The addition of color will make your hardscapes more visually appealing and help to foster a warm and inviting atmosphere.
  • Balance is imperative. Balance whatever elements you incorporate into your hardscapes with the rest of your yard. If your yard has large natural features such as towering trees or large rocks, create a hardscape that balances these features well.

Stone pavers and tools for side yard hardscapes

What types of hardscapes can you add to your Illinois yard?

Creating the perfect hardscape for your yard can be an exciting process. Whether you’re adding a bridge or a garden bed, a walkway or a patio, your hardscapes can inject new life into your outdoor sanctuary.

You can choose your hardscaping from a wide array of materials based on your personal taste. Some of the most popular hardscaping materials include:

  • Brick and brick chips:

Brick can set the tone of your outdoor hardscapes. It’s a great foundational material for outdoor kitchens and fireplaces, and can be used on patios.

Brick chips are exactly what the name implies — small, crushed up pieces of deep red brick. They’re an excellent choice for driveways and can even be used as mulch. 

An alternative to real wood decks, composite decking material is eco-friendly as it’s made almost entirely of recycled materials. Durable and long-lasting, composite decks require little maintenance and you won’t have to deal with stressful replacement issues such as wood rot.

  • Lava rock:

This unique, porous rock comes in black or red hues. Lava rock makes a great addition as a distinctive border to hardscaping areas such as patios and firepits. Wow your neighbors with this fantastic decorative rock.

  • Pervious concrete:

Pervious concrete is a fantastic, highly-porous permeable paving material that can be utilized in driveways, patios, and walkways. 

  • River rock:

River rock comes in various sizes and shades of brown or gray. This smooth, small rock naturally drains excessive moisture and prevents soil erosion. River rock works great in retaining walls and garden beds.

  • Pervious concrete:

Pervious concrete is a fantastic, highly-porous permeable paving material that can be utilized in driveways, patios, and walkways. 

Hardscape outdoor wall and bench

What are the benefits of hardscaping?  

Hardscaping offers a plethora of benefits for Illinois commercial property and homeowners. Along with adding additional eye-catching features to your landscape, hardscapes can help you to ensure your property reflects your personality.

The benefits of adding hardscapes to your yard include:

  • Privacy:

By adding hardscaping features like a fence or retaining wall, you can enjoy an enclosed outdoor haven. You’ll enjoy your privacy and help reduce noise pollution, too.

  • Creation of an outdoor gathering space:

Hardscapes are invitations for year-round outdoor gatherings. Imagine a cold, snowy night that still allows you to enjoy your outdoor kitchen. You can gather around your outdoor fireplace for hot chocolate and s’mores.

  • Little need for maintenance:

Hardscapes require minimal maintenance — enjoy your patio and avoid lawn mowing and weeding during the hot Illinois summers.

  • Yard drainage assistance:

The hardscape areas of your yard can redirect stormwater runoff and absorb excess moisture. 

  • Increased property value:

Hardscapes can increase the curb appeal of your property which can raise its value by 7%. Each hardscaping feature that you add to your landscaping design can cause the value of your home to increase. 

For example, decks, patios, and outdoor kitchens can attract future potential buyers should you ever choose to sell your property.

How do I contact Ware Landscaping for help with hardscaping?

At Ware Landscaping, we understand how much your commercial or residential property means to you. You can contact us for a hardscaping consultation online or call us at (630) 557-8170.

Our team of seasoned and local landscape professionals can work with you to find a customized hardscape solution to help your vision for your property come to fruition.