What is all the hype about hardscape? Hardscape refers to the permanently built structures and features of a landscape, while softscape encompasses all the organic, living aspects. 

A great landscape strikes the balance between hardscape and softscape elements. 

Hardscapes can include patios, retaining walls, paver driveways, seat walls, pathways, steps, fire features, water features, outdoor kitchens, shade structures, artificial turf, landscape lighting, and more.  

When clients share what their dream landscape looks like, it almost always includes some form of hardscape. The reason for this is because hardscaping helps to create a sense of home beyond four walls. It pays tribute to KALEIDOSCAPE’s mantra, “Home is where the yard is.” Hardscapes not only increase the value of your home, but they increase the value of your life. Hardscaping allows us to carve out pockets of usable, meaningful space amidst the natural world. To walk the paths of your garden, to prepare dinner at your outdoor kitchen, or to sit around the fire pit with loved ones, these are often the kinds of visions that people hold for their yards. KALEIDOSCAPE sees the importance of your investment, and we install hardscapes with the intention of bringing you those memories for years to come. 

Hardscape should be seen as an investment.

Hardscape is going to be one of the most expensive parts of a landscape, but knowing the extent of the process involved in constructing quality hardscapes does offer insight on the cost. Hands-down, the most important part of any hardscape is the installation process, especially base preparation. We install our pavers over a 6” minimum, compacted, open-graded base, ensuring a final product that can handle Colorado’s moody freeze thaw cycles. Site analysis, slope, drainage, labor, materials: these are all factors that must be accounted for prior to installation. Read more about our process here. 

Quality matters! 

Intentional planning and proper installation techniques are important, but the materials used to build your hardscape help ensure its longevity, as well. There are a wide range of hardscape materials to work with, but at the end of the day, quality matters. For instance, if you’re looking to extend your patio space, your options might be a poured concrete slab, a paver patio, or a porcelain patio. While concrete is much more inexpensive upfront, the material will inevitably crack, stain, and wear, demanding future maintenance and more money. Porcelain, on the other hand, is more of an investment initially, but you’re left with a patio that won’t stain, deteriorate, or require any additional care. A porcelain patio will always look as good as the day it was installed. 

I’m interested in hardscaping options for my yard. What’s the next step? 

So, you’ve made it through this post, and you’re all hyped up about hardscaping (that’s how we feel every day). You’re thinking of your own yard and dreaming of all the potential and possibility. So are we! Ready to start having the conversation? Fill out our contact form to give us a little insight on your landscape, and we’ll get the ball rolling from there. 

We hope this post has given you a deeper appreciation and understanding of hardscaping. When it comes to designing and installing an outdoor living space, our vision is to create balance between hardscape and softscape, the natural world and a person’s sense of home. Ultimately, we want this experience to be the one that draws our clients outside day after day. 

Thanks to all our KALEIDO-Friends for tuning in this week. As always, questions and comments are always welcome! Drop your thoughts in the box below.

Until Next Time,

KALEIDOSCAPE