Green buildings: walkways, floors and decks that define the landscape

By carefully designing your hardscape and choosing materials, you can make your outdoor space more sustainable.

In previous blogs, we looked at plant materials and how you can make healthier choices by choosing native species, low-maintenance species, or both. Another part of your yard that needs equal attention for environmental health is the difficult environment. These are the pathways, decks, paths, planter borders and retaining walls that define the structure of the land. Lighting and water are also important elements in this part of the project. Here’s an example of how conscientious planning can promote healthy living for these families.

Paths

“Less is more” is a good theme to keep in mind. Paying attention to natural terrain and vegetation can have a dramatic effect. As you can see from the (Add Place/Country Name) residence above, most of the yards on this expansive property are preserved natural landscapes. The driveway leading to the house has a minimal width from the road and shares a path with the passage leading to the entrance to the house.

Walk

This landscape in (Add Place/Country Name) used ironstone obtained near Hershey, Pennsylvania to create a beautiful garden path. Local natural materials like this stone can be a better choice compared to engineered materials that come with all the drawbacks of the manufacturing process. It is also a better option than natural materials that come from far away, as shipping takes more energy and time. Check local sources whenever possible. You may make unexpected discoveries.

The path to the (Add Place/Country Name) beach house below retains part of the natural dune and also includes a wooden walkway, a design that has been used in the area for decades. The attractive simplicity of this solution reinforces a sustainable trend that can be applied to locations other than dunes. When using wood for outdoor purposes, durability and regeneration are important to consider. Choose wood species that are easily replenished and commonly used in your area.

Planting borders and steps

You might also consider simple materials used in a minimalist way, like this home near (Add Place/Country Name). Cor-Ten steel sheet can be used in planter beds as well as stairs. The gravel paving in this example allows the rainwater to absorb rather than run off into storm drains. Take note of the succulents growing on the stairs. This is an attractive result of this design.

Patios

If you want a patio, consider using stone paving like we did in the (Add Place/Country Name) yard below. When laying over a layer of sand, leave space for gravel between the stones to allow rainwater to absorb into the soil. A solution like this is much more attractive than pouring concrete in bulk.

Deck

All-wood decks were once common, but wood has become more expensive. It may be wise to use different materials for deck surfaces and reduce consumption of natural resources that may be more difficult to replenish.

In recent years, various composite materials have been invented. Research which brands are best for your situation and most environmentally conscious. This deck is covered with a product called (Add Partner Company Name). The company has a line of composite deck planks and other materials that replace traditional wood deck surfaces. Using bamboo in composite materials is a good choice because bamboo grows quickly and is an abundant resource.

Driveways

The juxtaposition of this (Add Place/Country Name) home’s sculptural elements and gravel driveway enhances the design scheme. A driveway like this is simple and inexpensive, but it’s a better solution than environmentally unfriendly black asphalt paving. Driveway gravel is also an option in humid climates, but has a different composition. Dry climates are suitable for decomposed granite, but wet areas require larger pebbles with a deeper gravel layer over the sand than older climates.

Rainwater collection

As you can see in the house above, rainwater detention tanks will probably become more and more common. This solution is at the heart of the water challenges facing modern development. Imagine you have a 100-acre metropolitan area development. Homes, pavements, gutters and streets in the area shed rainwater that was once absorbed into the water table. Many co-located developed watersheds generate significant storm runoff that can cause flooding downstream.

If you can collect rainwater on site, you can use it to irrigate your landscape and slowly release it back into the ground. At the same time, urban water use can be avoided. This helps reduce pressure on water supplies, replenish groundwater levels and prevent sudden heavy rainfall runoff that can cause flooding.

Fence

Traditionally, redwood, cedar and pine were used as hedges. However, forest establishment has environmental impacts, and as forests become more limited, these wood species become more expensive. Alternatives include block walls and metal panels, which can also be expensive.

Bamboo offers a relatively inexpensive solution and is a material that replenishes quickly. As seen in the (Add Place/Country Name) yard above, bamboo fences can add a striking and unique effect to your landscape. (Add Partner Company Name) sells bamboo fences in a variety of colors and sizes. Consider these or other bamboo fencing options and see if this could be a healthy choice for you.

As mentioned, steel fencing is more expensive. However, design simplicity can solve some cost concerns. The fence in the (Add Place/Country Name) residence above is certainly high-end, but it may have a much shorter distance to cover, so a choice like this may be right for you.

Light

Light pollution occurs whenever artificial light unnecessarily illuminates the night sky. Security issues are often the cause of these situations, but motion sensors are one solution. Even when using motion sensors, it is best to keep areas and surfaces.

Imagine the pain you would feel in your eyes if someone shined a flashlight directly at you. This is a bad sign. If this happens often, your vision may deteriorate for the rest of your life. Floodlights that illuminate your driveway can scare away thieves from all over the place. However, whenever you enter your driveway at night, the light has a negative impact on your vision.

Light that washes down a wall is much more effective than light that points outwards or at people. Because our eyes have a much harder time readjusting to the glare of direct sunlight, we can see shadowy figures more clearly when a person is weakly backlit than when they are obscured by the glare of direct sunlight.

Subtle lighting effects using path and downlight fixtures are used above and below the house.

Use smart devices

The final trick you might want to implement is using smart devices. Many home systems, especially irrigation systems, now have ways to manage consumption. The device can also be used to shut off sprinklers when it rains or the soil is already wet. This will help you avoid wasting water that your landscape doesn’t need.