BEST TIME TO INSTALL HARDSCAPES
Are you dreaming of transforming your outdoor space with a stunning hardscape? Whether you're envisioning a cozy patio, a luxurious outdoor kitchen, or a serene pool deck, timing is crucial for your hardscape project's success.
Plan a hardscape project for the wrong season, and you could wreak havoc on your surrounding vegetation. Pick the landscaping industry's busiest seasons or during North Carolina's hurricane season, and you'll be looking at longer wait times.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll reveal why winter is the ideal season for hardscape installation in North Carolina and explore the pros and cons of other seasons.
What is Hardscaping?
Before diving into timing, let's clarify what hardscaping entails. While landscaping focuses on the living elements of your outdoor space, hardscaping deals with the non-living, permanent features such as:
Read more about the distinction between hardscaping and landscaping.
Factors Affecting Hardscape Installation
While each North Carolina season offers unique benefits and challenges for hardscaping projects, several factors can help you make your decision:
Weather patterns: Hardscape construction can be stalled in the face of frequent summer and fall tropical storms and hurricanes.
Plant growth: Drastically altering outdoor living spaces during active growing seasons can damage your carefully cultivated landscape.
Labor availability: In North Carolina, chillier months are generally the least busy for professional hardscapers and landscapers.
Material availability: Common hardscaping materials like stone, brick, and wood can be more difficult to come by during peak hardscaping seasons.
Project scope & complexity: Larger spaces and projects with multiple components will take longer than in certain times of year.
Desired completion date: If you're looking for speedy turnaround, you'll want to choose a season with increased contractor availability.
Why Schedule Hardscaping for Winter
While you may not think about your yard much during North Carolina's colder months, winter is actually the ideal time to design and install most hardscape features.
Here are the five major reasons to consider planning hardscaping projects in the winter:
1) Peak Contractor Availability
Winter is typically the least busy season for many North Carolina landscaping and hardscaping contractors. By avoiding peak season (spring and summer), you can expect to get your project on the schedule with a quality contractor sooner rather than later---in just a couple of weeks instead of months.
2) Uninterrupted Planning & Design
Even if choose not to install a hardscape during the winter, the increased winter downtime allows for meticulous planning and design. Your hardscape designer can dedicate more time to crafting the perfect outdoor space tailored to your vision. That way, you can hit the ground running when spring arrives.
3) Reduced Impact on Landscaping
Hardscaping can disrupt your existing landscaping, such as lawns and gardens. Doing hardscaping in the winter, when most plants are dormant, minimizes the impact on vegetation. It also gives plants plenty of time to recover, adjust, and develop stronger roots before the spring growing season.
4) Faster Project Completion
Depending on the region, the winter climate may allow for faster project completion. North Carolina's typically mild, dry winters create ideal conditions for hardscape installation, reducing weather-related delays (like heavy rain, hurricanes, or extreme heat).
5) Earlier Springtime Enjoyment
If you complete your hardscaping project in the winter, you'll be sipping cocktails on your new patio or cooking in your outdoor kitchen as soon as the warm weather hits. Whereas, a spring or summer installation may mean you won't be able to use your new outdoor space until mid-summer or even fall.
Best Hardscaping Projects for Winter
Cold weather doesn't mean you have to put all your landscaping plans to rest. Winter is the perfect time to tackle your hardscaping needs.
Some of the top winter hardscaping projects include:
Patios
Pool decks
Outdoor kitchens & living spaces
Retaining walls & garden walls
Fire pits & outdoor fireplaces
Sidewalks
Driveways
Pros & Cons of Spring Hardscape Installation
The busiest time of year for most landscaping companies, a spring hardscape installation is still beneficial if your contractor has the availability.
Advantages of Spring Hardscaping
Pleasant outdoor working temperatures
Soil more workable after winter thaw
Favorable conditions for projects with landscaping components
Disadvantages of Spring Hardscaping
Possible rain delays
Extremely high demand for contractors and materials
Finished hardscape may not be ready by summer
May disrupt spring planting
Pros & Cons of Summer Hardscape Installation
Although North Carolina hardscaping projects aren't impossible in the summer, they come with considerable challenges.
Advantages of Summer Hardscaping
Longer days for quicker progress
Rapid curing time for concrete
More workable soil
Disadvantages of Summer Hardscaping
Extreme heat challenges for workers
Potential interference from storms & hurricanes
New plants may struggle if landscaping is done simultaneously
You won't be able to enjoy it that summer
Increased demand for contractors and materials
Pros & Cons of Fall Hardscape Installation
An autumn hardscape project is almost as beneficial as a winter installation.
Advantages of Fall Hardscaping
Cooler, more comfortable working temperatures
Minimal landscaping disruption
Lower demand for contractors
Accompanying landscaping can be established before winter hits
Disadvantages of Fall Hardscaping
Shorter workable daylight hours
Possible early frost in some regions
Can be challenging to juggle with fall planting & cleanup
Potential rain delays
At the End of the Day...
From outdoor kitchens and firepits to patios and pool decks, hardscapes can bring so much functionality and enjoyment to your outdoor space. No matter the season you choose for your hardscaping project, it's essential to consult with a professional landscaper who understands your specific climate and can advise you on the best timing for your project.
Choose Thorpe Landscapes For Your Hardscaping & Landscaping Needs
At Thorpe Landscapes, we're equipped to tackle your hardscaping projects in any season. Our expertise spans from the coastal charm of Wilmington to the mountain majesty of Asheville and the vibrant Triangle Area.
Ready to transform your outdoor space? Contact us today to schedule a consultation and discover how we can bring your hardscape dreams to life.