How​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ We Figured Out Hardscaping in Aberdeen, MD (Real Backyard Lessons, Not From Showrooms)

 

Anyone who’s lived in Baltimore and its surrounding areas long enough has probably looked out of his/her window and wondered, “This yard could be more ... but there’s just something about it.” It’s exactly the same sentence we hear from homeowners in Aberdeen, Towson, Perry Hall, and everywhere else in between.

Hardscapingin Aberdeen, MD is not about Pinterest or picking up what’s popular in other states. It’s about knowing our soil, our weather, and how people live here. Most of what we have learned did not come from fancy design magazines but from muddy boots, unexpected drainage issues, and nets of neighbors talking face to face.

Why Do Many Baltimore Yards Seems “Almost Perfect,” But Not Quite?

There is this odd situation with many yards of Baltimore area. They are neither a complete mess nor have they been really made use of. For instance, a tiny concrete patio which is only just functional and the most unlikely is nobody wants to use it. Or it may be that a sloping lawn looks okay but when it rains the whole area becomes a muddy puddle for days.

From our point of view, the main reason why it looks that way is that most of the outdoor spaces have been constructed gradually. Here a walkway is added, then a retaining wall is added years later, and a patio is put down without considering how rainwater will flow in the yard. Each individual component is logical but together they do not make a functional whole.

Homeowners usually start to wonder at that point.

What are the Local Factors Behind Hardscaping in Aberdeen, MD?

We always tell people that hardscaping in our area needs to be in tune with the rules of Maryland and not simply generic landscaping advice.

The first one is that the soil is very heavy with clay. Large parts of Aberdeen and the wider Baltimore area are covered with clay soil, which is a dense type of soil that doesn’t allow water to drain quickly. Everything is affected; and therefore, whether patio bases, retaining walls or any other things, we’ll just have to deal with it. We have seen many projects were the materials were great but the foundation was totally neglecting the local soil conditions. Things start shifting after a few seasons.

Then there is the climate. We experience hot and humid summers, sudden storms, and the freeze-thaw cycles of winter that wear out poorly installed hardscapes. Moreover to that, materials expand and contract even more than people think especially when water gets underneath pavers or steps.

None of this signifies that hardscaping here is out of the question—it just means that it should be done in a more careful way.

A Typical Job We Can Always Account For

We often encounter a very familiar scenario which goes along the lines of: The backyard is sloping away from the house, there's a small patio at the back, and the grass never quite dries up.

Initially, the owner would probably say, "We think a bigger patio is what we need."

Sure, that’s the way a homeowner would see the problem. More space looks like the most obvious solution. However, after talking about it, and actually looking at the way water flows through the yard, we could tell that it was the layout, not the size, which was the real issue.

Most often, a combination of modest hardscaping changes actually turns out to be the real solution: reshaping grades slightly, adding a small retaining wall, extending the patio just enough, and creating clear transitions between spaces. It’s a whole new thing, truly intentional, not patched together.

And nearly every single homeowner after that already proclaims in unison: "How come we did not think of it that way before!"

Small Hardscaping Upgrades That Greatly Improve the Situation

One lesson/work experience that we obtained in Aberdeen is that less glamorous decisions can lead to success in hardscaping.

First draw a layout before you pick the materials. To be honest, people adore to chat about pavers, stone colors, and patterns—and those aspects do carry some weight. However, even a really nice patio if badly placed will not attract users. We have witnessed that even with the omission of fine materials, a space could look good just because it seamlessly flows from house to yard.

Knowing the importance of edges is something that most people underestimate. The overall look of a space is determined by them. Steps, borders, and transitions are what make a space feel finished. A patio that gently connects to the lawn or garden beds feels welcoming. One that ends abruptly often feels awkward, even if it’s brand new.

Bringing landscape and hardscaping together can have a dramatic effect on the latter. Besides, designing an overly strict layout here can make it look like a piece from a totally different world. Furthermore, planting - especially with native species - in conjunction with stone will make patios and paths really Marylandish instead of looking like a porch of a catalog.

What Are We Usually Advising the Neighbors Before They Take On Their Hardscaping Project?

The majority of the tips that we have given them are not in the form of a checklist. Instead, these tips come from observing how people use their backyards on a daily basis.

For example, we want the homeowners to manipulate their mind to reflect the future picture of the outdoor space. Do you see children playing? Will there be a lot of entertaining? Or maybe you will want less lawn maintenance? These answers are much more helpful in giving you good ideas than are any of the latest trends.

We also eventually got to discussing the matter of maintenance. There is a group of homeowners that would like a yard that is basically self-operating while there are others who like to be engaged with the act of taking care of plants and detailing. There is no indisputable answer as a matter of fact, yet in such a scenario, a hardscaping should be in line with one's lifestyle rather than a generator of unexpected extra labor.

Last but not least, we strongly believe that people should not hurry their decision. Planning time normally results in fewer regrets during the project execution phase unless the weather is seriously unpredictable which is most likely the case of Baltimore.

Why Hardscaping in Aberdeen, MD Is More a Matter-of-Fit Than-of-Trends

Remember that trends have a way of coming and going. We have seen many times that they go through cycles. The thing that remains is good design i.e. one which is compatible with the home, the yard, and the neighborhood.

Lot sizes in Aberdeen, especially, are very different from one another. Thus, there are some properties with plenty of backyard area while some others are working with very limited spaces. What matters is that the best hardscaping projects are the ones that understand these constraints and live in harmony with them rather than attempting to do away with them.

That is why small patios seem to be quite expansive because they are well-designed, whereas large hardscapes, untidy and not quite comfy, are perhaps the result of not being connected to the way the homeowner actually lives.

Hardscaping Lessons From Backyards Like Yours

There are a great many things that we could learn from the various yards that we have worked in, but probably the most important thing that stands out is this: Most homeowners prefer simple and functional rather than trendy and flashy.

It's a yard that works, a yard that drains properly, a yard that feels comfortable and one that beckons them to step outside more often.

The most successful projects simply lead to the opening up of a communication channel and the willingness to take a second look at what is already there. And, nearly without exception, the technique is not founded on doing more but on doing things smartly.

And therefore, if you’re standing in your backyard and wondering, “This could be better, but I don’t know how,” you’re in good company. Most of the neighbors we have gotten involved with were right where you are ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌now.