Best Modern Hardscape Ideas for a Northwest Climate
When designing outdoor landscapes, it’s crucial to consider the existing site conditions, like the natural surroundings and the style of your home. For example, modern materials may not suit a log home in a forested area. Harsh climates can cause materials to degrade over time, so it’s important to select proven, durable materials that can withstand freeze-thaw cycles and moisture. Avoid trends like stamped concrete or early synthetic decking that may not last. A landscape should complement both the home’s style and the environment, blending natural elements with functional design. Always consult an expert to ensure your materials are reliable and appropriate for the climate.
Great designs always incorporate the existing site conditions, such as the natural surroundings, existing built landscape features, and the style of the home. Your home may not allow for a cohesive modern design. An example would be my home. Many years ago, I selected an older log home bordering the Snoqualmie National Forest. Crisp lines and contemporary materials such as stainless steel, tight-fitting concrete slabs, along with sharp hedging, would be completely out of place with my log home on my forested lot. A flat-roofed home with vertical metal siding and a brushed concrete foundation sitting on a suburban or urban lot would lend itself to a modern design with brass or stainless steel lighting, possibly a metal prefab water feature, concrete walls, and sheared or hedged plants. Below, we discuss the best modern hardscape ideas, as well as the considerations.
Climate Considerations
Our climate is the harshest in the world, possibly. Our winters have such a high level of precipitation that daily temperatures rise above freezing and commonly dip below freezing, allowing for water to seep into cracks and porous materials. This yin-yang of freeze-thaw can cause unproven materials to quickly fall apart, cracking or sometimes top layers sheeting off.
The Impact of pH and Moisture
Also, because of our high level of moisture and the diversity of pH from our igneous boulders and crushed gravels, being highly alkaline to our western red cedars and douglas firs that are dropping needles, changing the soil to a very acidic pH. These pH inconsistences along with the high level of moisture, can result in material degradation, along with color inconsistencies such as red from iron, resulting in even some products turning mostly a light red after several years. Calcium that is naturally occurring can result in a spilled milk residue, which is very unsightly. Both iron and calcium can be removed with a wide range of products, but they always returns resulting in repeated maintenance.
Selecting Proven Hardscape Materials
The best is to have help from an expert to guide you with material selections that are proven. Also, materials imported from unproven markets can also fall apart or change color without the ability to be repaired. I strongly suggest only using proven materials that are either suggested by a qualified designer or that you have seen weathered after several years
Lessons from the Past Hardscape Failures
Several years ago, in the early two thousands and the late nineties, stamped concrete was considered modern. We can see at the target and REI plaza located in Issaquah how all of the top surface has deteriorated, exposing large rocks in the concrete, along with brownish-red colors changing to pink in color. While attending Cornell University, we deeply studied handicap accessibility, which guided my choices to never install stamped concrete because of how slippery it was when installed.
Another example of a modern material that failed was the original synthetic decking products of that same period. There are three major types of manufactured decking products. The least expensive is a composite decking product mixed with wood chips and plastic. There is a deck that was installed about thirty years ago at Our Lady of sorrows catholic church in Snoqualmie. This deck looked amazing when installed. Within a couple of years, the freeze-thaw cycle had removed chunks of decking, making the deck unsightly. At the time, this product was deemed modern and innovative; it is still available for sale, and many of the same problems still exist. The one hundred percent PVC decking has lasted the test of time, whilecompressed bamboo decking is new and unproven.
Designing with Modern Homes in Mind
I have completed a number of landscapes at modern-looking homes, incorporating the existing landscape. Many examples of modern hardscape are homes built by EVO Development at the summit of the Snoqualmie ski area. These homes are flat-roofed, square, and use vertical siding, and lack irregular dimensions, but still have the native landscaping and mountain views. We used large square concrete slabs for patios, paths, and staircases.
For a number of less expensive spaces, we used timbers to retain decorative gravel for staircases and patios. For the lawn area, we used high-quality artificial turf in a dimensional setting. Finally, to incorporate the natural space, we used durable bright colored irregular planting, incorporating some native plants, while the bright colored plants stood out against the native green backdrop. As you can see, new isn’t always better when it comes to material selection.
In conclusion, I would only use a time-proven material that you have had guidance from a seasoned designer or a product that you have seen in person that has proven the test of time, along with matching the existing sight conditions of your landscape and home, and taking the existing site conditions into account.
Get Started with Expert Exterior Hardscape Guidance Today!
Ready to create a timeless, stunning space with outdoor hardscape designs? Contact us now to explore the best materials and modern hardscape ideas that suit your home and landscape. Our experts are here to guide you every step of the way. Let Adam Gorski Landscapes bring your vision to life!
