Do you plan to have an outdoor space where you can host barbecues, relish lunch with loved ones, or relax after a busy day? Great! Selecting the right hardscaping materials is the first step to achieving your dream space.
But various hardscaping materials are available, each offering unique advantages and appeal. In this post, we explore the pros and cons of popular hardscaping materials to enable you to make the right choice.
Pavers
Pavers are great hardscaping material for your outdoor space. They are typically made of brick, stone, marble, or concrete and are flat-topped, making them an excellent choice for furniture placement.
Pavers are easy to manipulate, allowing you to choose the size, style, shape, and color that best match your home and design preferences. With pavers, there’s room for lots of experimentation.
Pros
Versatile
Durable
Aesthetically appealing
Durable and long-lasting
Low maintenance
Cons
Expensive
Not easy to install
Weed growth between cracks
Concrete
The first image of concrete that comes to mind is a plain, dull-looking slab. But that doesn’t have to be the case. Concrete can be stained, giving rise to any color you can imagine. You can also embed it with other materials for a less plain look.
Concerned about the slipperiness? Texturize your concrete to make it less slippery. It’s also easy to shape, allowing it to fit irregular yard curves.
Pros
Easy to install than pavers
Versatile
Affordable
Cons
Can be slippery if not textured
Can split and crack
Unattractive unless stained
Stone
Looking for a hardscape material that blends easily with nature? Stone is what you want. It is available in patterns, textures, and colors guaranteed to give your outdoor space a natural beauty.
Stone materials are also very durable and low-maintenance, making them the perfect choice to withstand the harsh elements. Whether you want a rustic appeal or a more formal look, you can achieve it with stone material.
Pros
Natural beauty
Durable and low-maintenance
Readily available
Variety of stone options
Slip-resistance
Cons
Installation can be time-consuming due to irregular shape
Uneven stone can be hard to walk on or place furniture on
High initial cost
Decking
Decking offers two options depending on your needs and preferences - wood and composite. Wood decking gives you a natural and rustic look that blends seamlessly with your outdoor space. Through staining, wood decking can be customized to your taste.
It is also affordable and available. Composite decking, on the other hand, is made of recycled materials to imitate the appearance of wood without its hassles. It is very durable and does not warp, splinter, or rot.
Pros
Strong and durable
Can choose between wood and composite
Wood decking is affordable
Composite decking does not rot, fade, or splinter
Cons
Wood decking requires regular maintenance
Composite decking is expensive
Wood can crack and splinter
Get help choosing the best hardscaping material for your outdoor space
With the variety of options available, there are many factors to consider before making a decision. If you live in Upper Bucks, Montgomery, or Lower Lehigh County, get a free estimate today. Our experts can discuss with you, consider your preferences, and offer valuable insights, enabling you to choose the best material for a gorgeous outdoor space.