Retaining Walls and Hardscapes

​Any great landscaping design will be comprised of two types of things: softscape and hardscape. Softscape is the building out of materials that change and mature over time; living materials like grass and plants. Hardscape, on the other hand, is the building out of elements that do not change over time; non-living material like stone and brick. A combination of these two things is really what makes any good landscaping come to life and pop. If you need either of these done, let us know.
 

Brick Retaining Wall
Brick retaining walls are the most classic type of retaining wall there is. Brick can be stacked together to make walls of varying heights. These walls are generally used to keep flowering material inside a certain area or to hold back elevated land. Because brick is a sturdy material, it does a fairly good job of holding back lighter weight material. Brick retaining walls are usually used in elevated flower boxes; keeping soil or compost inside the flower box, and out of the rest of your lawn. Brick also allows for natural drainage, because of the joints in it.
 
Stacked Stone Retaining Wall
Stacked stone retaining walls come in all different types of stone. In these walls you can use natural stone or manufactures stone, depending on what you are using them for. A heavier natural or manufactured stone does a very good job of holding back both soil and earth and is a great choice for flower boxes or for helping to hold back elevated land mass. The beauty of using stone is that it does a great job of blending in with more natural elements and can be designed to look as if it is a naturally occurring structure.
 
Poured Concrete Retaining Wall
Poured concrete retaining walls give a very modern aesthetic to your landscaping. Because poured concrete walls are made to give one, uniformed wall color and style, they are not meant to look naturally occurring in any way. Where brick and stone can blend in to the rest of your landscaping, poured concrete is meant to completely stand out. Poured concrete retaining walls are designed to be a feature, rather than just another element. Because concrete is poured when wet, these types of walls can be shaped in to nearly anything you want; giving completely customization to your wall.
 
Hardscapes
As discussed above, a hardscape is a landscaping element is that is made from completely non-living elements. Hardscapes are meant to be the solid foundation upon which softscapes are made. Because hardscapes do not change, they give a stark and beautiful contrast to the organic pieces of landscape design. Hardscapes can be constructed from stone, brick, concrete or any other material which is solid and unchanging. Hardscapes can be built in the shape of walk ways, retaining walls, rock features or flower boxes. Hardscapes are not meant to change, but usually can be added to or removed, depending on your wants and needs.
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