When people think about improving their yards, they often focus on landscaping. However, home hardscape installations also serve a number of purposes. You may wonder what the potential functions of a hardscape installation are; here are 5 of the most common. 

Soil and Erosion Control

Some properties have issues with controlling soil, runoff, and erosion. Installing a retaining wall is a good way to hold the soil in place, though. Likewise, many contractors install drainage systems behind the retaining walls. This allows you to collect water and control where it goes, significantly reducing erosion on your property.

You can also use a retaining wall to keep soil from falling on areas below slopes. For example, you might have a sidewalk next to an embankment. The hardscaping can hold the soil from the embankment back, reducing how much debris lands on the sidewalk.

Visual Interest

Particularly if a yard is flat, green, and open, it can look boring. Adding home hardscape installations can infuse the area with visual interest. You might install several large rocks, for example, to break things up.

Defining Zones

A hardscape installation can also define a zone. You may want to define where a garden ends and your yard begins, for example. Putting down some pavers at the edge of the garden will distinguish one area from the other. If you hire landscapers to mow the lawn, this will make it easy for them to know where to stop cutting the grass. Also, the hardscaping will make it harder for plants to spread expectedly beyond the garden. Consequently, the overall appearance of the yard will be sharper and more visually cohesive.

Pathways

Sidewalks and other paths are often missed opportunities for hardscape installation projects. Sure, you can pour concrete slabs and have a perfectly functional walkway. However, you can also install pavers, stamped concrete, bricks, or stones. These will give the walkway more character.

Also, you can use textures, colors, and patterns to tie the walkways visually to the house or nearby landscaping features. For example, you might put down light gray stones to tie a path to an adjacent artificial pond with stone edging.

Barriers

Some home hardscape installations serve as barriers. You might want to put up a fence, but a stone wall is likely going to look better. These barriers look more natural and less disruptive. Likewise, the hard and heavy materials can deter drivers and animals.

Contact a local hardscape installation service to learn more.