Hard Landscaping - Surfaces
| Published: 14th February 2008 13:46 |
Hard Landscaping - Surfaces
Hard Landscaping - Surfaces
Surfaces may include:
- Paths and drives
- Patios
- Terraces
- Steps
- Decking
Hard surfaces perform a range of functions including:
- o Access
- o Carrying traffic, pedestrian or motorised
- o Decorative
- o A social area
- o A link for soft and hard landscaping features in the garden and a link to a focal point
- o A level area from an undulating site
Can you think of any other features of surfaces?
Below is a range of commonly used materials for surfaces. These surfaces must be well prepared in advance, even, safe and usable in all conditions.
Asphalt is used mainly for larger surfaces like roads and large drives but may occasionally be built into paths.
Advantages of asphalt are that its surface is smooth and accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs. It is a hardwearing surface that is functional rather than aesthetic. It also has the advantage of being relatively cheap to buy and install.
Concrete: 
Again, this is mainly applied to larger areas such as roads and large drives but can easily be applied to paths. When applying concrete, we need to make an edge - sometimes called a former - to ensure that the concrete does not spread. Expansion joints, usually from fibre board, are set at distances of about 8ft. apart.
Advantages of concrete are that it is relatively hardwearing and maintenance free. It can be moulded to different shapes. It is possible to introduce different colour dies to achieve a varied effect.
In recent years, a new concept of pattern imprinted concrete has been developed where a pattern or colour is pressed into the surface to give the impression of different materials such as stone or brick
Disadvantages of concrete are that it needs immediate application or it goes ‘off'. Also it may look ugly if not applied considerately.
Gravel:
This would be applied generally to pathways or drives and may be used as a mulch or decorative feature.
Advantages of gravel are that it is cheap and quick to lay. It acts as security, as the noise made when people cross the gravel can be heard.
Disadvantages of gravel are that is not stable, needs to be replaced from time to time, can harbour weeds if not looked after, animals may decide to use it as a toilet and access by prams, pushchairs and wheelchairs is limited.
Paving
This would be used for paths, patios, steps, terraces and drives. A variation on this is crazy paving, which incorporates paving slabs broken or cut into various shapes and sizes and occasionally colours and set as regular paving.
Advantages of paving are the range of choice, flexibility of cost and its aesthetic value.
Disadvantages of paving are that it can become slippery, it becomes a hazard if laid unevenly or without prior preparation, it is porous and can become a host to weeds, pests, ants etc..
Bark chippings
These would be used as a mulch, for paths and play areas.
Advantages of bark are that it is relatively cheap to install, light, flexible, soft and has a pleasant scent from new.
Disadvantages of bark are that it can attract animals (toilet again!), birds and slugs, it needs replacing, it tends to spread and it may have an unpleasant smell as it becomes older.
Decking
This would be used for terraces, patios, bridging levels and steps.
Advantages of decking would include quick assembly, it is good for work on different levels, a terrace effect can be obtained, it can be available or adapted in a range of colours.
Disadvantages of decking are that it could be slippery, presenting a safety hazard, it needs regular maintenance and could be expensive to install and maintain. Badly installed and maintained decking could become a host to rats, especially if food is consumed in its area.
Bricks 
These can be used for drives, paths, steps, edging, patios and terraces.
Advantages of bricks are that they are flexible and can be adapted to a wide range of needs, they are tasteful, long lasting, form a solid foundation, are flexible and it is possible to form attractive patterns with careful use.
Disadvantages of bricks are that they may take a long time to lay, may be proportionately expensive, perhaps needing professional work. It is also important to choose bricks that do not degrade after hard frosts.
Hoggin
Not as widely used nowadays as in previous years, hoggin consists of crushed material which is rolled into place. It is used for paths and a temporary surface for drives.
Advantages of hoggin are that it is relatively cheap and fairly flexible.
Disadvantages of hoggin are that it looks cheap and that it is inclined to hold floodwater, thereby spreading ‘mud'.
Stones/cobbles 
Used mainly as paths or drives or for their decorative effect, cobbles are mainly confined to small areas.
Advantages of stones and cobbles are their attractiveness and effectiveness in enhancing a small area.
Disadvantages of stones and cobbles are the expense and labour-intensiveness in installation and maintenance and problems in access for wheelchairs, pushchairs and prams.
Setts
These are used mainly for driveways, edging and occasionally for paths.
Advantages of setts are that they are attractive, flexible and hardwearing.
Disadvantages of setts are that they may be expensive to buy and are heavy to transport.
Sleepers
These are used mainly for edging, steps and terraces.
Advantages are that they are attractive, ‘natural' looking and hardwearing.
Disadvantages are that they are heavy to transport, comparatively expensive, potentially hazardous (slippery) and care needs to be taken with the type of preservative used on them. To overcome the hazard of slipperiness, it may be possible to incorporate something like chicken wire onto the surface
What do you think?
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