What is landscaping in construction?

The services in the landscape construction sector can be split into two broad categories – softscapes and hardscapes. Hardscapes within a landscape are usually materials such as paving, stone (fireplaces or firepits, outdoor kitchens, barbecues, and patios) and wood (fences, decks, and arbours). Water features such as ponds, fountains and dry river beds also fall into the hardscape category. Softscapes, on the other hand, refer to the installation and services of organic materials, usually plant life.

Landscaping projects are considered an investment in the home and are either semi-permanent or permanent installations, so choosing the right materials when undertaking a landscaping project is key to ensuring the end result will stand the test of time.

What types of landscape construction jobs are there?

Landscape construction projects typically fall into three broad categories: residential, commercial and civic.

• Residential landscaping includes a range of jobs from building an outside terrace to the landscape of a whole estate.
• Commercial landscaping, on the other hand, covers landscaping projects like outdoor areas of independent coffee shops, as well as large scale jobs such as vast shopping centres.
• Civic landscaping is used to describe construction company jobs ranging from parks to children’s playground areas.

What are the benefits of landscaping?

There are a number of advantages to landscaping beyond improving the appearance of a home. Improved functionality is a key benefits to landscaping, as it allows for better use of the land of any property. For instance, a patio helps create a functional area designated specifically for outdoor dining or entertaining guests, whereas a raised bed outlines a designated space for growing flowers or vegetable produce to improve the look of the estate.

Landscape construction can also greatly boost the value of a property as it tends to make it more attractive to prospective buyers – appealing landscaping can become a unique selling point that sets one well-designed house from another. Landscaping can also be a source of emotional value to home owners, as they can take pride in their nicely landscaped house or even improve its appearance specifically to match that of the neighbouring houses. What’s more, landscaping can help enhance the liability of estates in densely populated areas.

When planned well, landscaping can also reduce domestic energy costs – trees and other plants, in particular, are efficient in helping manage the temperature within the house. In summer, thick shade produced by landscaping can reduce the need for use of an air conditioner, while in winter, landscape features like a windbreak of trees would keep the cold and wind at bay, thus helping reduce the need for heating.

What are surface treatments?

Surface treatments are commonly used across industries to improve the surface properties of manufactured items. The term surface treatment is used to describe the removing or adding of a material, or the chemical alteration of a surface. The reasons for using surface treatments may involve improving wear resistance, corrosion protection and friction control. Some of the most common surface treatments include thermal spraying, case hardening, cladding, polymer film and lubricants. Sika Setting Sand, for example, can be used to give perfect pointing for all types of block paving, as it will not shrink, wash out or crack over time.