What Do We Mean by Hardscapes?
Hardscapes are patios, walkways, retaining walls, outdoor kitchens, driveways, and pavers. They are basically everything in your outdoor space that isn’t a “softscape” (plants, lawns, and trees). Hardscape projects help to form the backbone of your outdoor space, and well-planned hardscape installation boosts both beauty and functionality. Here’s 4 reasons why fall is the best time to upgrade your outdoor space.
Reason #1: Fall Weather Creates the Perfect Building Conditions
Comfortable Temperatures for Crews and Materials
Fall’s cooler temperatures make work a lot more efficient– and more comfortable– for crews. Materials such as concrete and mortar often cure better in moderate weather, so hardscape installation moves a lot more smoothly.
Fewer Weather-Related Delays
Spring’s rains or summer’s storms can slow down outdoor projects, whereas fall tends to bring steadier conditions. This means fewer interruptions for your project, so your outdoor space likely gets completed faster.
Reason #2: Better Soil and Ground Conditions
Natural Settling Over Winter
Winter’s freeze–thaw cycles naturally compact the soil, creating a firm base for long-lasting hardscapes. By planning your hardscape installation in the fall, you’re getting it set up just in time for winter, and ensuring that come spring, your patios, pavers, or walls are firmly in place. This helps to prevent shifting, cracks, or an uneven surface in your outdoor space.
Easier Excavation Before the Ground Freezes
Even though winter is a great season for allowing your hardscape installation to settle, it’s not a great season in which to undergo your hardscape installation. Getting it done in fall means getting it done before the soil freezes (and frozen soil makes proper grading and drainage work so much harder). Basically, choosing fall for your hardscape installation ensures a stable foundation, and also allows for you to address any drainage issues before winter’s snow and spring’s thaw.
Reason #3: Avoid the Spring Hardscape Rush
Contractors Are More Available in Fall
Spring and early summer tend to have long waitlists. It’s the time of year when most homeowners decide to refresh their outdoor space, so contractors are in high demand. Booking your hardscape installation in fall means you’ll be able to avail of much more flexible scheduling, your project will start sooner, and it’ll also finish faster.
Ready to Enjoy Your Outdoor Space by Spring
A fall-built patio or walkway is ready for your enjoyment as soon as the warm weather returns, allowing you to enjoy spring and summer months to the fullest– without having to wait for work to be completed in your outdoor space. You get to start spring ready to relax and entertain in your new hardscape installation.
Examples of Hardscape Installation Projects That Are Perfect for Fall
- Patios: If you build your patio in the fall, then come spring you’re instantly ready to plant your flowers and plants around your new structure.
- Walkways: It’s much safer to complete your walkways before icy conditions make these paths more hazardous.
- Retaining walls: Retaining walls are a good idea to place in fall, because you can stabilize the soil before winter’s freeze-thaw.
- Fire pits and outdoor fireplaces: If you install a firepit or an outdoor fireplace, fall is the perfect time to be able to cozy up and enjoy your outdoor space for longer.
- Driveways and paver replacements: Fall’s moderate temperatures ensure lasting results.
Why Hire Professionals for Hardscape Installation
Design and Structural Expertise
Only professionals know how to grade, drain, and design your hardscape installation properly. If you’re investing in your outdoor space, you want it to last, and a professional team– like our crew at Dean’s Pool & Landscaping– will be able to ensure long-lasting results. Our years of experience in designing and installing hardscape means that we can also give you some expert guidance into what will be the best fit for your outdoor space, and provide custom designs that will suit your home and lifestyle.
Access to Quality Materials and Tools
High-grade materials and equipment aren’t always available for DIY, so if you don’t work with a professional team, you might have to settle for less than optimal-quality. But we don’t think you should settle for less than the best: your outdoor space deserves professional-grade finishes, and a pro team can deliver that.
Safety and Reliability
A professional, trained crew will know how to follow safety protocols and local codes, so they can complete your hardscape installation safely and properly. And with a team like Dean’s Pools & Landscaping, quality and results are guaranteed.
It’s not a: “hopefully it’ll turn out alright”; it’s a: “this will turn out exactly as you want it.” When you work with us, you’re getting professional-grade finishes that last, excellent execution of your vision, and peace of mind.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Wait Until Spring for Your Hardscape Installation
Fall is an ideal time for your hardscape installation because the weather works with the materials, you ensure optimal soil settling over winter, you avoid the spring/summer renovation rush, and come warmer weather, you get to relax and enjoy your completed project.
If you’d like to learn more about your hardscape installation options and what we can do for your outdoor space, get in touch with your local team at Dean’s Pools & Landscaping today! We’d love to hear your ideas, your vision, and to provide you with a free estimate to get you started. Let’s build your dream outdoor space this fall.
