Dos and Don'ts for a Successful Hardscape (Continued from Page 1) By Rose Kennedy, special to HGTV.com
Here, the retaining wall and steps complement the stonework on the house. — image courtesy of Susan Murphy
Get more information on using stone in the landscape.
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Mix and match — but carefully. Select a few materials that complement your home's interior and exterior. Just as you wouldn't want to listen to someone sing in a monotone, you don't want to have to look at a hardscape with all one color or material, says Ohio-based hardscaping expert Samuel Salsbury."The idea is to find two or three materials that are visually creative and coordinate not just with each other but with the interior and exterior of the house," says Susan Murphy. Textural variety is important, too, says Pleasant. "In most hardscapes, it's okay to have two textures going, for example flagstone underfoot and landscape blocks for low walls, but more than two textures tends to look messy. If a wood deck is part of the picture, try to stick with a single type of stone or brick for your hardscape," says Pleasant, who is based in Pisgah Forest, N.C. "The deck counts as a texture, too." Don't take on two styles, particularly in a small space. "Hardscapes can be relaxed or formal, but the best ones show a well-defined style," says Pleasant. "Think of a two or three-word phrase that describes your vision and stick with it. An intimate courtyard, for example, has little in common with a Grecian garden when it comes to style."
Know when to phone a friendly expert. Hire a designer or landscape consultant who knows your style. If you do opt for a hired designer or contractor, get recommendations and check portfolios and references, says Salsbury. "Instead of looking for someone trendy, find someone who can click with the melding of the land and natural elements, the architecture of your space and your style. If you leave out one of those aspects, it's like constructing a two-legged stool." Don't build a structural wall or massive project without an engineer. Salsbury-Schweyer was called in to right another landscaper's boulder wall that had literally pulled down an entire hill and was endangering the foundation of the nearby house. And while most hardscaping doesn't fail quite that spectacularly, Salsbury insists that anyone embarking on a project that involves a structural wall or a hill with stability issues first contact--or have their builder contact--a geotechnical engineer to discuss the implications."They can prevent really serious damage, or you get the best case scenario, which is they come out and say, 'I don't see an issue.'" Buy enough materials at the outset. "Whether you're working with brick, stone or another material, buy a little more than you need for the project," says Garden Stone author Barbara Pleasant. "Later on, you can use the extra materials to accent pretty beds with temporary edgings, or to add steppingstones or landings, knowing these little features will match the dominant hardscape." Don't evaluate materials and installation on price alone. "It's rarely a cost-effective strategy just to purchase the least expensive materials or services for a hardscape design — too often you get what you pay for," says Schweyer, who is one of only hundreds of certified landscape designers nationally. "There are a lot of considerations besides price, including how long a material will last and whether it will suit the architecture of your site. It makes more sense to economize by scaling back a project or the number of design elements, with the help of a cost-conscious professional, then to always buy the least expensive materials." Don't skimp on stuff you can't see. "The most common mistake I see people make is putting in a hardscape element without preparing the site appropriately, which is a sure formula for future failure," says Susan Murphy. "If you don't put the correct amount of base material down, or compact it well enough, you risk having a wall sink or settle or a patio settle and heave in frost."Not everyone needs the four-foot frost footing that's required to withstand Wisconsin winters, but you can determine the specifications in your area by talking to an inspector at your local building authority or contacting the American Landscape and Nursery Association (ALNA) or your state landscaping association. Make sure to follow the standards. Says designer Salsbury, "People who aren't skilled tradespeople think, 'If I can't see it, it's not worth spending the money,' but a level surface to build on and the proper depth for the freeze line are everything in hardscaping. If you don't have them, five years out your project will be breaking up."—Rose Kennedy is a home-and-garden writer based in Knoxville, Tenn.
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From paths and patios to pergolas and water features, our hardscaping ideas will help you create the yard of your dreams. |
Guests Samuel Salsbury
Landscape Designer
Website: www.salsbury-schweyer.com/
Sabrena Schweyer
Landscape Designer
Website: www.salsbury-schweyer.com/
Susan Murphy
Landscape Designer
Landscape Solutions by Susan Murphy, LLC
Weston, WI
Phone: 715-355-1771
Barbara Pleasant
Website: barbarapleasant.com/
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