Hard landscaping Flashcards
Describe a range of horizontal hard landscaping elements
Paths: links the areas of the garden an allows access. It should follow desire lines (the shortest route from A to B) otherwise people will stray from the path. Widths may vary depending on how many people are using them and the surface should be none slip. Drainage is important so that the surface is not wet. Paths may be bordered by hedges or planting so it is important to maintain these so that they do not present a tripping or cutting injury (If the hedge was thorny)
Steps: link areas of the garden together while allowing travel up and down levels where there are contours in the garden. Steps are made of treads and risers which vary in measurement but for a flight of steps the risers should be the same or else they present a tripping hazard. Lighting, handrails, surfaces with grip and considering surface water all make steps safer. Good design may include hand rails, landings where the pedestrian can pause, and a textured surface which is non slip.
Patios: an outdoor area with a solid floor such as paving or concrete used for entertaining, sitting and viewing the garden. It is often sited next to the house but may be in other areas of the garden depending on the site aspect. Shapes are usually geometric - square, rectangular, circular. Patios have a firm level surface which is usually large enough to accommodate table and chairs. Ideally the surface should not present a trip or slip hazard.
Decking: Decking areas are usually elevated and as well as a sitting area they can look out across the garden to views in the distance. They can provide a level space for sitting if the garden has steep gradients, or a decking pathway (Boardwalk) may be suspended over a boggy or marshy area of the garden. Decking is made of boards or planks which are laid across a solid framework beneath.
What should you consider when selecting materials for horizontal hard landscaping?
- Durability: Does it rot, will it have to be treated regularly to stop it rotting, will it last for a long time with no maintenance.
- Maintenance: Will it require regular cleaning / treating with preservatives.
- Ease of construction
- Sustainability: Using local natural stone vs importing Indian sandstone. Some materials take a lot of energy to make such as concrete. Using FSC approved (Forestry Stewardship Council) timber. Recycled materials are more sustainable.
- Garden Style: Selection of materials match the garden style so that the design is cohesive. Should also match the local environment – e.g. using the local natural stone as paving to match the local stone used for the house and garden walls.
- Colour: Some materials come in a range of colours and some materials can be painted or stained to match the colour of window frames or doors of the house for example.
- Porosity of the material: Does the material allow surface water to infiltrate through the ground to lower the risk of surface flooding?
Describe benefits and limitations of concrete in horizontal hard landscaping
May be poured concrete, concrete blocks or bricks, or concrete flags
Benefits: long lasting, low maintenance, hardwearing, flexible to suit space provided use mould for poured concrete, can be cast to different size blocks/slabs, can be coloured, range of textures, no weed growth through poured concrete which could be tripping hazard
Limitations: Not as environmentally sustainable as other materials. Very permanent and difficult to modify or remove. Large volumes of poured concrete require special equipment. Not permeable to water so camber and drainage need to be considered. Weed growth between flags or bricks increases maintenance, could be tripping hazard, and look unsightly.
Describe benefits and limitations of paving in horizonal landscaping
4 main types of natural stone paving: limestone, sandstone, granite, slate.
Come in units of flag, blocks, bricks, gravel. Full name of material would be e.g. sandstone paving flag
Benefits: natural material so in keeping with cottage garden style if locally sourced, hardwearing and durable, little maintenance required, can be cut to various sizes, can plant between them or leave planting pockets (helps drainage)
Limitations: Quarrying stone destroys natural habitats, stone can be very heavy, can become slippery when wet due to algae so needs to be cleaned regularly, not ideal for irregular shapes as flags are usually square/rectangular, gravel needs to be topped up periodically and retains from lawn areas as can damage mower blades, can get weed growth through gravel/between paving flags/bricks which can be tripping hazard
Describe benefits and limitations of wood in horizonal landscaping
Need to describe as hardwood or softwood as have different properties. Hardwood is more durable but more expensive.
Units are decking planks (grooved or planed), or railway sleepers
Benefits: hardwood is long lasting, gives more natural appearance suiting styles such as cottage garden, can be sustainably sourced (FSC certified) and is renewable material, less skill involved compared with using other materials, can be painted/stained many colours to suit garden style
Limitations: Softwood is cheaper but less durable and needs to be treated regularly, decking not suitable for very heavy loads, slippery when wet, regular maintenance needed to remove algae,
Describe a range of vertical hard landscaping elements
- Walls: lend sense of formality, should suit building and area around garden, may be free-standing (delineating boundary) or retaining (defining differences in gradient).
- Fences: provide enclosure, delineate one section from another, prevent entry of unwanted visitors, act a windbreak
- Screens:
- Pergolas:
- Furniture:
- Statuary
Describe use of walls in gardens and compare natural and man-made materials
Walls lend sense of formality, should suit building and area around garden, may be free-standing (delineating boundary) or retaining (defining differences in gradient).
May be stone (natural - mortared or dry stone), or brick (man-made)
May be coursed (clearly defined rows) or uncoursed (randomly placed stones)
Describe use of fences in gardens and compare natural and man-made materials
Fences:
- provide enclosure
- delineate one section from another
- prevent entry of unwanted visitors e.g. livestock
- act as a windbreak
May be constructed of:
- timber
- metal
- plastic
- concrete
Describe use of screens in gardens and compare natural and man-made materials
Screens:
- divide garden into smaller units
- hide unsightly intrusions e.g. oil tank
- may only be partially transparent -> create sense on intrigue between different parts of the garden
May be constructed from:
- wicker
- timber trellis
- plants
- block and wire netting
- bricks
Describe use of pergolas in gardens and compare natural and man-made materials
Pergolas:
- provide sense of place
- support climbing plants
- provide dappled shade
- should be of suitable size for the setting
May be constructed from:
- Timber (most common)
- metal
- brick/stone columns with timber horizontals
- columns must be strong enough to support weight of structure including plants
Describe use of furniture in gardens and compare natural and man-made materials
Furniture: e.g. chairs, benches, tables
- style should suit design of garden
- may be built into design e.g. in walls or on edges of raised beds, by fire pit
- if going to be left outside in winter wood or metal are preferred materials
Describe use of statuary in gardens and compare natural and man-made materials
Statuary is 3D object included in garden design purely for interest
- should be positioned carefully i.e. not too close to another
Describe a rock garden
Rock gardens simulate natural rock formations or natural (often mountainous) conditions for the display of alpines. Examples include:
- rock garden
- scree garden (stone debris mixed with soil)
- troughs
- should appear natural both in colour and texture
May be constructed from:
- natural rocks e.g. sandstone, limestone, tufa
- artificial rocks (often hollow and therefore light to transport), Pulhamite (cement like product used to cover brick-built foundations and moulded to simulate natural rocks, appears like gritty sandstone)
Describe the use and construction of water features in the garden
Water features A water feature can be defined as a landscape feature designed to house, display, or propagate aquatic plants, house wildlife/fish, or to make use of moving or still water as a design feature.
May be formal or informal, including:
- open water (raised ponds, wildlife ponds, rills)
- self-contained features (fountains, pebble ponds)
Describe the materials used to construct water features
Pond may be constructed from:
- puddled clay (an impermeable lining to the base and sides of the pond by treading a mixture of clay and water so as to compact it and produce a water tight layer. It is used to create wildlife ponds.)
- butyl liner with base layer of sand to prevent punctures
- pre-formed fibreglass
- poured concrete
Water feature may be constructed from:
- drilled natural stones e.g. sandstone, granite, slate
- stones and pebbles e.g. marble, sandstone, slate, granite
- metal (steel)
- glass
- plastic
- wood and brick a surround for raised ponds
