Difference Between Hard and Soft Landscaping
Difference Between Hard and Soft Landscaping
Hard landscaping and soft landscaping are two fundamental components in landscape architecture and garden design.
Hard landscaping, also known as hardscaping, refers to the construction materials used to improve a landscape by design. These materials can include brick, gravel, rock or stone, concrete, timber, bitumen, glass, and metals.
Hard landscaping elements provide structure and form to an outdoor space and can include features such as paths, driveways, drainage systems, electrics, fencing, decking, patios, steps, and walls. These elements are typically hard-wearing and chosen for their resilience in all types of weather. They provide the base for soft landscaping elements and can also include outdoor furniture and other landscape products.
On the other hand, soft landscaping refers to the vegetative materials used to improve a landscape by design. These materials can include trees, shrubs, grass, flowers, and other forms of vegetation. Soft landscaping elements add texture, character, and structure to an outdoor space, and they bring together all the separate elements of an outdoor space.
They can encompass anything from raised flower beds, hanging flower baskets, hedge animals, vegetable gardens, to low-maintenance plants and smaller trees.
In a well-designed landscape, hard and soft landscaping elements work together to create a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing outdoor space. Hard landscaping elements provide the structure and form, while soft landscaping elements add the greenery and natural elements that make outdoor spaces pleasant and relaxing.
Table of comparison:
| Aspect | Hard Landscaping | Soft Landscaping |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Involves construction materials for structural elements. | Involves vegetative materials for natural and green elements. |
| Materials | Brick, gravel, rock, stone, concrete, timber, metals, etc. | Trees, shrubs, grass, flowers, and other vegetation. |
| Purpose | Provides structure, form, and durability to outdoor space. | Adds texture, character, and natural elements to the space. |
| Elements | Paths, driveways, patios, walls, fencing, decking, etc. | Flower beds, hanging baskets, vegetable gardens, trees, etc. |
| Characteristics | Hard-wearing, resilient in all weather conditions. | Dynamic, changing with seasons, contributes to biodiversity. |
| Aesthetic Role | Defines the basic layout and design of the outdoor space. | Enhances beauty, softens the hardscape, creates ambiance. |
| Maintenance | Generally requires less frequent maintenance. | Regular maintenance for pruning, watering, and seasonal care. |
| Interaction | Serves as the base for soft landscaping elements. | Integrates with hard landscaping, creating a cohesive design. |
| Examples | Patios, steps, driveways, walls, outdoor furniture. | Flower beds, lawns, trees, shrubs, hanging baskets. |
FAQs
What Does Hardscape Mean In Landscaping?
Hardscape refers to all of the non-living elements in landscaping, such as driveways, patios, walkways, pools and ponds, fences, and railing.
It is one of the most important components of any landscape design, with hardscapers dealing with concrete materials rather than dirt and plants. Examples include brick patios, stone walls, and wooden arbors.
Hardscape refers to the hard landscape materials in the built environment structures that are incorporated into a landscape. This can include paved areas, driveways, retaining walls, sleeper walls, etc.
Hard landscaping involves projects that cover the entirety of the yard and that are necessary before soft landscaping features come into play.
Hardscaping can include almost any type of decorative or practical structure in a landscape, from driveways to fences to benches. It is one of the two major subcategories of landscaping, the other being softscape.
Hardscape is a critical part of landscape design, providing function and beauty to an outdoor space.
Water features can also be considered hardscape. Hardscape projects can be very difficult to install, especially under less than ideal conditions.
Overall, hardscape refers to the non-living elements in landscaping, such as patios, walls, and walkways. These elements can add structure, beauty, and definition to an outdoor space
What Is An Example Of A Hardscape?
Examples of hardscape include pavers for paths or patios, outdoor kitchens, gazebos, and decks, while examples of softscape include river rocks used to make walls and rubber mulch or bricks used for walkways.
Hardscapes are any non-living elements in a landscape design, such as patios, walkways, sitting walls, retaining walls, water features, fire pits, and grill surrounds.
What Is Hardscape Used For?
Hardscape is a term used to describe solid materials used in outdoor design such as natural stone, tile, brick, wood, asphalt, and concrete pavers.
These products are used for driveways, walkways, patios, walls, decks, fire and water features, outdoor kitchens, and more.
What Is the Difference between Landscaping and Hardscaping?
The main difference between landscaping and hardscaping is that landscaping generally refers to softscape elements like lawns and gardens, while hardscaping refers to the hardscape elements of your property like driveways, walkways, and patios.
While many people use these terms interchangeably, it’s important to understand the difference so that you can properly plan and design your outdoor space.
What Are The Benefits Of Hardscaping?
Hardscaping provides numerous benefits, such as creating unique textures that diversify a space and contrast with plants, providing more privacy, making yards more usable, solving grade problems, and expanding and enhancing living spaces. It also requires no water, mowing, pruning, or sun like living plants do.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Hardscape?
Hardscape can be expensive and may require permits, and if not carefully planned, it can quickly become an eyesore rather than an asset.
Additionally, hardscaping does not provide the same moisture retention for soil underneath as green landscaping or quality landscaping in offices and hospitals.
What Is The Cheapest Hardscape Material?
Pea gravel is the cheapest hardscape material, costing about $6-$10 per square foot. It consists of earth-toned, flat, loose stones that are about the size of a pea and can be used to easily create a patio in any shape.
Concrete is also an inexpensive material for building hardscapes, ranging from $6-$13 per square foot. However, it is not as versatile as pea gravel and may require more maintenance due to its tendency to crack and chip.
Other materials such as bricks, concrete pavers, stones, and wood may also be used for hardscaping projects but are generally more expensive than pea gravel.
What Is Hardscape Flooring?
Hardscape flooring is a type of outdoor flooring made from a variety of stone materials such as pavers, caps, treads, copings, ledger stone, random, flagstone, and other accessories.
It is available in an assortment of shapes, sizes, and colors and can be used to create pathways, patios, and other outdoor features. Hardscape flooring is also known as hardscaping or natural stone veneer.
What Does Soft Landscaping Mean In Construction?
Soft landscaping in construction refers to the living elements of a landscape, such as trees, flowers, grass, shrubs, and other plants. It also includes aspects of gardening such as soil, mulch, and weed control.
Soft landscaping elements are typically used to soften the landscape and add texture, character, and structure. They can also help reduce pollution and improve watershed health.
Hardscaping, on the other hand, refers to the hard, unmovable elements of a landscape such as concrete, bricks, and stone. These elements provide structure for the soft-scaping elements and create an outdoor living space.
What Are The Types Of Soft Landscape?
Types of soft landscape include trees, hedges, bushes/shrubs, grass, flower beds, and climbers.
Softscape is the living elements of a landscape such as plants and flowers, while hardscape refers to the non-living elements such as concrete, bricks, stone, gravel, paving stones, retaining walls, pavers for paths or patios, outdoor kitchens, water features, gazebos, decks and driveways.
A successful landscape design typically combines both hardscape and softscape elements in order to create an inviting and practical space that can be enjoyed by all.
What Is the Soft Landscape Maintenance
Softscape maintenance involves the planting and ongoing care of living elements in a yard, such as trees, bushes, flowers, shrubs, grass, ivy, vegetable plants, moss and cacti.
This includes watering every other day for approximately 30 minutes, weeding, trimming bushes and trees, mowing the lawn, fertilizing and setting up a sprinkler system to water the plants.
It also involves removing trees if they die or become infested. If annuals were planted instead of perennials, part of the maintenance will involve re-planting them. Properly caring for planted areas will protect investments well into the future.
Is A Fence Considered Hardscape?
Yes, a fence is considered hardscape. Hardscaping refers to the elements in a landscape that aren’t living, such as paths, walls, and fences. It can include almost any type of decorative or practical structure in a landscape, from driveways to fences to benches.
Hardscape is a critical part of landscape design, providing definition and a sense of organization to the natural areas and features. Hardscaping can also create a beautiful and easy-to-maintain yard.
