What is Hardscaping, and How Does It Differ from Landscaping?

Hardscaping involves man-made structures within landscaping, such as patios, fire pits, and pathways, using materials like pavers, natural stone, and wood. In contrast, landscaping focuses on living elements like plants and trees.

What are the Benefits of Adding Hardscaping to My Property in Williamsburg, Virginia?

Hardscaping offers benefits such as improved drainage, increased privacy, reduced maintenance compared to landscaping, added functionality like outdoor cooking areas, and expanded living spaces, ultimately boosting property value.

What are the Best Types of Hardscape Materials for My Williamsburg Home?

Some excellent hardscape materials include brick for durability and elegance, composite decking for low maintenance, natural stone for beauty and longevity, concrete for flexibility in design, pavers for durability in patios, and wood for natural warmth.

How Do I Incorporate Hardscaping Into My Landscape Design?

Start by defining your goals, setting a budget, creating a design with selected materials, and working with professionals if needed. Batchelder & Collins can connect you with reputable contractors or landscapers in Williamsburg and surrounding areas for your project needs.

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Natural Hardscapes in Williamsburg

image of hardscape project with retaining wall and stairs made out of hardscape products

As VA’s leader in brick and stone, Batchelder & Collins has everything you need for exciting home projects.

Natural Hardscapes in Williamsburg

Want to refresh your yard? Whether you’re installing a patio or pathway, putting hardscaping on your property is a fantastic way to enhance your landscaping and increase your home’s value while you’re at it! At Batchelder & Collins, we provide natural hardscaping options for homeowners and contractors, and we facilitate installation for homeowners who want more help with their hardscaping projects.

Learn more about hardscaping materials and designs with our handy guide. Then when you’re ready, come down to Batchelder & Collins to pick up all the supplies you need to transform your outdoor space.

What is Hardscaping?

Hardscaping is a man-made structure or outdoor living space within a landscaping design. Hardscaping can be made from any number of materials, including pavers, natural stone, mulch gravel, brick, and wood. Anything from a bench to a pathway can be considered hardscaping. Some examples of hardscaping that you might find in residential exterior projects include:

Fire pit
Outdoor kitchen or outdoor living area
Fireplace
Paver patios
Deck
Pathways and walkways
Stairs
Retaining walls
Stone walls
Driveways and paved areas
Fountain
Pergola
Gazebo

What is the Difference Between Hardscaping and Landscaping?

Generally speaking, landscaping is all of the living and organic parts of the yard, such as the plants, trees, grass, and flowers. Hardscaping is any man-made element that exists within the existing landscape. While hardscaping can be considered a part of the landscape, it has a harmonious relationship with landscaping. The purpose of hardscaping is to add functionality and beauty to the natural elements already growing in the area.

The Benefits of Hardscaping in Williamsburg, Virginia

image of back yard patio made with hardscaping

There are many benefits to adding hardscaping to your property. For example:

Drainage: Williamsburg, VA is humid and swampy in summer and cold and icy in winter. Hardscaping helps ensure proper drainage, which can protect your house and create a more usable outdoor space.
More privacy: Hardscaping can add walls and features that obscure the view of the property from outside, giving you a more private space.
Less maintenance: Whereas landscaping needs to be weeded, watered, and pruned on a regular basis, hardscaping only needs the occasional maintenance.
Adds function to your yard: Hardscaping makes your outdoor space easier to use and more functional for people of all ages, from kids to seniors. Hardscaping can provide places to sit and interact, a place to receive guests, spaces for cooking, and even places to play.
Expands living spaces: If you get tired of spending your time inside, installing hardscaping can expand your living space and provide you a place where you can spend time outside enjoying the company of others and members of your household.
Boost property value: Home buyers like hardscaping as much as you do. By installing hardscaping in your yard, you can improve your home’s property value.

The Best Types of Hardscape Materials for Your Williamsburg Home

There are many different types of hardscaping materials that you can use in your landscaping projects.

Brick: Brick is a long-lasting, durable material with a vintage appearance that can make your outdoor spaces more sophisticated and elegant.
Composite decking: Composite decking is a durable and low-maintenance product made from resin and wood pulp. Unlike natural wood, composite decking never needs to be refinished.
Natural stone: Natural stone has texture and beauty that can add elegance to your outdoor spaces. Natural stone is also very strong and can last for a lifetime.
Concrete: Concrete can be cast in many shapes and colors, so it’s very flexible and functional at the same time.
Pavers: Pavers can be arranged in any number of shapes to create a patio that is long-lasting and durable.
Wood: Wood adds natural warmth and beauty to your home’s exterior spaces.

How to Incorporate Hardscaping Into Your Landscape Design

image of stairs made out of various hardscape items

Incorporating hardscaping into your landscaping design is a multi-step process. If you need more guidance on this process, the team at Batchelder & Collins can help you find a professional who can provide assistance with your hardscaping projects.

Know your goals. What are you trying to accomplish with hardscaping? Knowing your goals will help focus your project and guide your decisions when creating a design.
Set a budget. How much can you afford to spend? Keep in mind that your project can raise the value of your home. Buying quality products and materials is important. The lowest-cost materials are not always the best materials for your project.
Create a design. Make a drawing that outlines what hardscaping features will be installed.
Select materials. Select materials that will accomplish your goals. Consider durability and beauty when choosing the materials for your hardscaping.
Work with the professionals. Do you need professional help to get your project underway? Ask yourself if you’re capable of accomplishing your goals on your own. Keep safety in mind as well. For example, if you’re installing a deck, it will need to be constructed according to building codes to ensure that the deck will be structurally sound. For projects like this, work with a contractor to ensure the work is done right.

The Perfect Hardscape Starts With the Right Materials

Installing the perfect hardscaping starts with the right hardscaping materials. At Batchelder & Collins, we sell hardscaping for your projects and can help you find a Williamsburg contractor or landscaping company to help with your project. Our service area includes Williamsburg, Hampton Roads (Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Newport News, and Chesapeake), Richmond, Yorktown, and York County.

Do you need help with a hardscaping or landscaping project? Need a full-service material company? We can help you find landscaping services and lawn care companies that can help with your project. We offer fair pricing for your projects to help you accomplish your goals within budget. Contact us today at 757-625-2506.