Hardscaping**
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What is hardscaping? The term **hard landscaping (hardscaping) ** is used by practitioners of landscape architecture and garden design to describe the construction materials which are used to improve a landscape by design.
The corresponding term soft landscape (softscaping) materials is used to describe vegetative materials such as plants, grasses, shrubs, trees etc. to improve landscape or outdoor space.
Hardscaping 101
Hardscape refers to hard landscape materials in the built environment; structures that are incorporated into a landscape. This can include paved areas, driveways, retaining walls, or any other landscaping made up of hard wearing materials such as stone, concrete, etc.
Hardscaping allows the erection of landscaping features that would otherwise be impossible due to soil erosion, or that compensate for large amounts of human traffic that would cause wear on bare earth or grass.
While there are many hardscaping products, AquaReale tends to work primarily with natural stone products. We work with wallstone and flagstone materials.
We tend to stick to natural flagstone pathways and patios because the materials blends well with everything from modern to older architecture. It withstands the test of time, and can hold up for decades if installed properly.
Natural stone allows for more raw creativity, because no system is being followed. This allows us to go with the flow of the design, creating everything from steps and benches to drainage culverts.
Hardscaping and Stormwater Solutions
AquaReale understands that without nearby bare soil, a hardscape with an impervious surface requires artificial methods of drainage or surface runoff to carry off the water that would normally be absorbed into the ground as groundwater.
Lack of capacity can cause problems after severe storms. We make certain that there is adequate drainage or runoff on every hardscaping project we complete.
Contact us to see what hardscaping solution is best for you.
