For as long as there has been the need to move about the outdoors, there has been "hardscaping". This typically referred to paved walkways and stone walls but today, is much more.

Natural stone and brick were the materials available in the past and although supremely beautiful, were and are still today, very labor-intensive to obtain and build with and therefore, more costly; this prompted the development of man-made materials which dominate the hardscapes we see today. These materials include:

Pavers: These are the materials used for "paving" such as walks, driveways and patios. These come in a myriad of shapes, colors, and even functions, giving you endless possibilities for creating a beautiful paved area.

Wall Stone: As with pavers, there are many different types of wall stone or blocks, and choosing a wall stone will be influenced by color and design but more importantly by function. These products are most often used to build retaining walls, hence their being properly referred to as segmental retaining walls - SRW. But don’t let that stop your imagination; wall stone can be used for decorative columns, planters and even outdoor kitchens!

Manufactured Stone: Another alternative are the natural stone "look-alikes". These often are produced using real stone in the manufacturing process but offer benefits over natural stone. You may have seen these kinds of materials used as kitchen countertops that mimic granite or quartz; the same types of products are available for exterior projects.

How do you choose? There are a few links listed below to some of the fine companies producing hardscape materials. You can find great ideas and see some of the endless possibilities for using these products in your home landscape.

But the best way to choose is to contact Milestone Landscape today to get started on your project. We can help you sort through the choices and options with your needs in mind.

http://www.belgard.biz
http://www.techo-bloc.com
http://www.versa-lok.com
http://www.allanblock.com

For Before and After pictures, click here.