5.1 Horizontal landscaping materials Flashcards
Describe a range of horizontal elements; paths, steps, patios, decking.
Compare benefits and limitations of a range of materials for each including concrete, paving and wood.
in terms of suitability and design terms.
in-situ concrete (poured), paving (name which type) sandstone paving, concrete paving slabs, limestone flags.
Wood - railway sleepers, log sections, bark.
Gravel
Manmade plastic decking materials
Foundations/sub-base of a patio materials
a from level base which supports a structure or patio
compacted limestone clippings
Hardcore
Poured Concrete
Units of materials - brick, blocks etc
Make sure to preface any unit with which material.
So…
Natural sandstone paving flag
Porcelain tile
Clay bricks (not impervious to water)
Clay engineering bricks (better suited for ground, as more impervious to water and damage)
Natural vs concrete brick/slabs/blocks
Natural stone is unfinished, and as so is irregular in shape and size. It can be finished to provide regular shapes, seen in formal gardens.
Concrete bricks, blocks, slabs are uniform and therefore all identical is shape and size.
Hard-landscaped areas are used for:
Functional - foundations for greenhouses, buildings, paths, driveways, utility areas such as one to store dustbins.
Aesthetic - vertical elements such as pergolas, walls to design spaces, purely aesthetic spaces
Recreational - areas used for relaxation, cooking, play areas. Patios, decking
Horizontal materials: Tarmac
Hardwearing, and functional
A smooth single piece which can be layed in irregular shapes.
usually used for drives and sometimes paths.
Good for mobility issues
could be viewed as aesthetically unpleasing
Horizontal materials: Poured Concrete
Suitable for many uses
Hardwearing and functional (permanent and difficult to change/remove)
Large energy output to produce cement to make concrete
low maintenance
can fit any shape and size with holding
Suitable in modern designs, but might not suit more traditional designs
can be finished in may different ways, eg. imprinted to look like cobbles
impervious to water, need to consider drainage, can cause flooding with water run off
Horizontal materials: Concrete slabs
Suitable for many purposes, can be recycled and reused
can be made to fit many areas, come in trying shapes and sizes and colours
Geometric patterns
relatively inexpensive compared to natural stone
uniform thickness and size
Slabs can leave planting pockets in patios if desired
Horizontal materials: natural stone
Can use local stone to keep up unity and cohesion with local area
Granite hardwearing
Sandstone/York stone softly coloured changed with age
Can be expensive compared to concrete slabs
Can be reused
non-renewable material
Can be reused to combat negative eco impact
May be of unequal size and shape, though can be finished to make uniform.
Highly skilled to lay correctly
need cleaning to not become slippery
Horizontal materials: Gravel/Stone chippings
available in many grades and colours can source local material to match surrounding areas heavy, though easy to transport easy to lay cheaper compared to other materials plants may self seed in gravel, intentionally or unintentionally needs to be contained or will spread requires maintenance to keep in check not good for buggies, wheelchair users
Horizontal materials: Bricks and Blocks
Durable and of standard sizing
available in many different colours sizes
clay bricks may perish slowly if incontact with water, ie when laid as a path
can be laid in geometric patterns, shapes
Horizontal materials: Wood
well suited to informal, or woodland garden
renewable is sourced through FSC scheme
hardwood is longlasting, soft wood not
easy to remove unlike concrete
need treating
softwood can perish/rot quickly
slippery when wet, or if not cleaned of algae
recycled scaffold boards, railway sleepers
(old recycled sleepers may contain toxins which can seep into soil)
Wood not FSC approved has negative ecological impact. increasing global Co2
Horizontal materials: Bark Chippings
Readily available cheap material
will quickly rot and need topping up
pleasant to walk on, though not good for mobility issues
blends well to a natural setting
will need maintenance to keep in it place, as will travel around
Patios
Used for entertaining, relaxing, viewing garden, play area. Often geometric shapes
Thing to consider:
Exposure, is it windy?
Focal points, is there a nice view, borrowed or otherwise?
Or is there an eyesore you don’t want to see?
Is there area poorly drained?
Access for materials to build it?
Consider what time of day the client would mostly like to use it. Will it be in sun or shade?
Natural stone slabs, concrete slabs, engingeering blocks, poured concrete, slate paving slabs
Path
Links one area of the garden to another, surface should be none slip, and drainage needs to be considered
Is there hedging, trees need maintenance to eliminate risk of thorns, or slipping on leaves
Direct route to prevent people walking over areas ill suited, borders, garden beds
mixed materials, oak railway sleepers and gravel
bark chippings
gravel
poured concrete
Hoggin surface (compacted gravel, clay sand)
