Are you trying to put your home in the market? Just sprucing up your property in time for summer? Or are you just looking for a new project to work on? Too many homeowners focus on the interiors during property improvements, leaving their huge gardens and backyards neglected.
Although you can always put down some new flowerbeds or cultivate a vegetable patch, improving your property’s exteriors doesn’t have to stop at gardening. Hardscapes refers to man-made additions to your lawn and yard that enhances its utility or provides additional convenience. They can be decorative or practical, depending on the design.
Learn how you can make your backyard and garden more appealing with the perfect hardscaping addition.
- Fetching and Functional Fencing
Privacy is one of the most important aspects of a home and you can increase your yard’s privacy with the right fence construction. Although it can be tempting to simply use large hedges or a row of plants, they don’t provide the same level of sight blocking and containment as a metal grille or composite wood fence panels. Aside from protecting your yard form eavesdroppers, fences can also corral your family pets, so they don’t become a nuisance to your neighbors.
The trick to great fences is the construction and the material. A simple fence of metal mesh and poles can be useful in keeping a dog in your yard but not for much else. Consider the cost of the materials involved and the desired effect. For example, if you want more security, a spike-topped iron fence is the way to go.
- Shaded Benches
As comfortable as sitting on the ground beneath a stand of ash trees can be, you may be looking for something more convenient. Whether you have a large garden or a small yard, don’t underestimate the usefulness and comfort a simple shaded bench can provide. You can place benches around your garden in strategic positions where people can enjoy soft breezes without sun exposure.
As with fencing, the materials of your bench must be carefully considered. Stone and metal benches will weather the elements longer, but they can be uncomfortable and very expensive. Wood benches can be shaped to be more ergonomic, but you will need to constantly repaint them to avoid mold and water damage. Weigh the benefits of durability and comfort and decide which is worth your money more.
- Cozy Gazebos
If a simple bench seems too quaint or underwhelming for your planned yard, you could plan for something much grander: a full gazebo. A gazebo is a raised platform with some form of fencing and a roof, usually in a circular foundation. These can be very expensive and can set you back anywhere between $3,000 and $9,500. The cost of your gazebo depends on its size and the materials involved. A small gazebo, usually around 10 feet in diameter can be useful for afternoon tea or for taking some air in the morning, Larger gazebos can be like additional rooms in your yard and you could entertain small groups in the fresh breeze. You need to decide which type of gazebo you want or how big of a gazebo your yard can accommodate so you can settle on the price.
- Paths and Walkways
Not all hardscaping additions have to be dramatic or expensive. Paths and walkways can be some of the most convenient additions you could make to your backyard. Grass can be great for lying around but unless you put down a path, foot traffic will slowly wear an unsightly and muddy track through your lawn.
Aside from appearances, paths and walkways also protect your guests and your family from bad nasty falling and tripping injuries.
When building a pathway, first decide which way the path will go. Will it simply be a straight line from your backdoor to another location or will meander for a bit around the garden? Next, decide on what kind of materials you want to make the path from. A simple path of cement blocks works for a straight line but a gravel walkway can be cheaper for paths that take a circuitous route around your lawn.
Improving your backyard can be a fun project or it can be what saves your home from lingering in the market for months. Therefor, you need to plan what you are going to do with your garden well in advance. The right hardscaping can increase the price of your home and truly make your home unique.
