Hardscaping is the process of using hard materials like rock, pavers, stone and concrete around your landscaping. There are several reasons why people perform hardscaping. A lot of it is for greater aesthetic value—you can create some really unique, attractive formations through hardscaping that add a lot to your exterior spaces. But there are some practical benefits to hardscaping as well—it can be used to protect certain areas of your yard or garden, or cover up areas where growth is difficult.
Here’s a quick overview of a few of the biggest benefits of hardscaping in Kansas City, which may give you some hardscape ideas you can implement at your own home.
Low maintenance
Hardscaping requires very little maintenance, especially when compared to landscaping features. Once the project has been designed and installed, there’s basically nothing you need to do with it for years. You don’t have to worry about mowing, watering, pruning or trimming. Depending on the type of installation, you may need to occasionally pluck out weeds that come up in between pavers or concrete slabs. You might also want to occasionally sweep off or clean your hardscaping to keep it looking its best. But this requires little effort, especially when used as an alternative to landscaping features.
Water efficient
If you’re using hardscaping as an alternative to grass, flowers or other plantings, you’ll significantly cut down on the amount of water you have to use to maintain your landscaping. This is especially beneficial in parts of the country where there are frequent droughts and water shortages—you won’t be wasting any water, and you won’t have to worry about your plants dying off during the dry season.
Improved property value
Beyond the aesthetic and functional value that hardscaping can add to your property, there are some very real financial benefits as well. Beautiful, functional hardscaping features can add a good deal of value to your property, allowing you to increase your asking price if you put your home on the market. This is because hardscaping helps you create an exterior extension to your home, which provides more usable square footage for hosting or simply relaxing and enjoying yourself.
Visually appealing
There are limitless options when it comes to the types of hardscaping features you can implement. It may be something as simple as a patio or a paver path, but you could also create features that add multiple dimensions and different levels to your yard and gardens, or create beautiful retaining walls to hold in your property. An experienced hardscaping contractor will be able to work with you on just about any type of job you have in mind.
These are just a few of the biggest benefits associated with hardscaping. For more information about these benefits and for some hardscape ideas you could implement on your own Kansas City property, we encourage you to contact MSE Hardscape Design and Installation. We look forward to working with you and answering any questions you have about our services.