What Are The Best Hardscape Design Options For Winter Durability?
The Right Materials for Your Winter Hardscape Design
Different factors come into play when it comes to selecting the correct materials for your outdoor hardscape design. Taking into account where you live, the winter temperatures, snow, and other inclement weather can help you determine which materials will provide the best value. Materials that provide natural drainage for water reduce ice build up making pathways safer. Gravel and pavers both excel in winter. They are both sturdy and are much less likely to crack under the pressure of expanding water turning to ice. With less ice buildup on brick or concrete pavers, you have a safer patio or walkway. A hardscape made from these adaptable and durable materials also will require much less maintenance, especially during the cold winter season. Bricks, stone, gravel, concrete, wood, and other materials have different levels of durability, required maintenance, price points, and visual design.
Pros & Cons of Common Outdoor Hardscape Materials
Hardscape materials all serve different purposes. Some hardscape designs will have bonuses and some setbacks, but by choosing the best design and materials for your backyard you can maximize the durability and effectiveness. Patios, driveways, pathways, and other outdoor hardscapes are great ways to best enjoy winter, and by making the right selection of materials you can have a safe and durable backyard feature.
Continue reading to learn more about the pros and cons of different hardscape materials. To get an even further understanding of what materials best suit your needs, schedule a consultation with one of Ciminello’s Landscaping designers. We will meet to discuss and share ideas on how to make your outdoor space the area of your dreams.
Brick
Brick is a timeless construction material that is still commonly used today. While brick can be laid beautifully and is generally considered a durable material, it may not be the best option for winter resistance. One of the downsides to utilizing bricks for hardscapes is how easy it is for water to penetrate them. Bricks are typically very porous, so brick hardscapes won’t be as resistant to the freeze-thaw cycle. As water seeps into the pores, it will freeze and expand creating pressure within the brick itself.
Natural Stone
As one of the oldest building materials, natural stone is known to be durable, long-lasting, and low maintenance. Natural stone can be utilized in a variety of ways for hardscaping. Retaining walls, paths, and pavers can all be installed with natural stone. One of the more durable materials is also one of the more costly options. Natural stone outweighs concrete and brick pavers in its long-term durability.
Concrete Pavers
Concrete pavers are one of the more popular options being an all-around great material. With concrete pavers, you’re working with a sturdy material that can withstand wear and tear. Pavers allow water to drain, which gives them the opportunity to dry out more. This means you won’t have to de-ice or salt as frequently. Concrete pavers provide a strong, durable pathway that withstands winter after winter, regardless of the temperatures. In the event that some of your pavers become damaged, it is easy to replace a few pavers or even a small section. Pavers can be designed in many patterns and can be customized to complement other design elements in your outdoor plans.
Wood
Wood is commonly used for decks, permanent patio furniture, pergolas, and other outdoor structures. Certain woods are better suited for winter weather. Some woods are more absorbent and are more susceptible to structural weakening with the freeze-thaw cycle. Absorbent wood will hold on to water longer, which leads to safety concerns. Other woods that are less absorbent dry more quickly and are able to last through many winters. Composite wood also excels in withstanding cold temperatures and icy conditions.
Hardscapes That Focus on Durability and Safety
Pavers are commonly one of the more popular materials for hardscape projects because of their versatility, durability, and their edge over concrete or asphalt. By laying concrete, brick, or natural stone pavers the hardscape will not be made from one single hard casting. These interlocking pieces create a hardscape that is less susceptible to the ground shifting, or the freeze-thaw cycle that occurs during winter. This cycle causes water to freeze when the temperature drops at night and melts during the day. This will impact a walkway, driveway, or path by pushing the materials away as the ice expands in cracks and around the materials. Pavers allow water to drain around them, and aren’t fixed together they will shift without being damaged.
By having your patios, driveway, outdoor fire pit, and other hardscapes installed with the right materials you won’t have to deal with additional maintenance or accelerated aging of your hardscape.
Backyard Winter Hardscaping Ideas
Winter months in Central Ohio can make outdoor leisure activities less desirable, but with a proper hardscape and landscape design your backyard can be used for more days out of the year. An outdoor fireplace or fire pit can provide enough warmth to make your space enjoyable even in colder temperatures. Having covered structures creates spaces that aren’t so exposed to the elements and can increase the effectiveness of your outdoor heat source. Retaining walls can create a barrier around fire pits, or help to carve out a space where the existing ground isn't level. This not only provides you with more usable space in your backyard but creates a more cozy environment. Landscaping with winter in mind can also create a warmer environment. By placing evergreen trees and dense shrubs they will act as a barrier to the wind. This, coupled with a cozy and inviting hardscape makes your backyard an enjoyable outdoor space even on cooler days.
Maintaining Visual Appeal Throughout Winter
A backyard winter landscape doesn't have to be cold and bleak! By focusing on a winter-friendly hardscape layout your outdoor patio can be surrounded by beauty. An outdoor living space can even include an oven or grill to cook while enjoying the cool winter weather. Retaining walls are commonly used for practical reasons, but can also be incorporated to enhance the visual design. These hardscaping features can include evergreen shrubs, or other hearty plant life to make the yard cohesive and comforting. Lighting can also be integrated into your hardscaping and landscaping designs in order to highlight certain areas of the yard. Create a garden that won’t succumb to the winter weather and will provide visual interest throughout your backyard!
Custom Hardscaping Design Services
Creating a beautiful outdoor living space starts with creating a plan. When we first meet many of our clients they have a list of hardscape features they want installed. Throughout a consultation meeting, we will help focus these feature requests into a complete and cohesive design. We provide a way to transform a simple or outdated backyard into a space that both complements and enhances your lifestyle. Our team is made up of award-winning designers who utilize 3D software to create a rendered visual example of what your revitalized space will look like. We design and install hardscapes, pavers, outdoor cooking spaces, lounging areas, outdoor structures, fountains, and other water features, retaining walls, and lighting.
Consult with Ciminello’s Landscaping
As a professional landscaping business providing Central Ohio with incredible property transformations for nearly 4 decades, we take pride in our work. We transform our client’s backyards into the space of their dreams. Ciminello’s has experience in many different styles of hardscaping including outside entertainment spaces, large pool and lounge areas, complete backyard transformations, and lush outdoor oases.
Meet with Ciminello’s Designers Today
If you are looking to begin your backyard renovation, reach out to Ciminello’s Landscaping to meet with one of our designers. Schedule a consultation with one of our designers and behind you to create a list of the features and design elements you envision. With the help of our professional design team we will enhance your vision to create a space that goes beyond your expectations. With 3D renderings of the design, you will see how your yard will look when it has been completed and be able to provide final feedback for adjustments.