Birmingham Hardscaping

Hardscape features help spruce up less-attractive areas of your yard, bring visual interest to full-shade hard to grow areas, and help add privacy to an area. When constructing hardscapes it is important to think of your property as a whole. We take any existing issues your property may have into consideration, such as poor or inadequate drainage. The installation of a retaining wall or French drain is a great way to correct a drainage problem, and properly divert water flow. Other hardscape structures, such as fencing, not only enhance the look of your home, but add value as well. Some types of fence, such as picket fencing, are great for adding a decorative touch, while shadow box style fences help bring privacy to your backyard retreat in addition to keeping pets and children safe. Call us for more information on the different style and material options available in constructing a new fence for your property.

Pergolas are an attractive landscape feature used to form a shaded walkway or sitting area. They are constructed of pillars that support cross-beams, and may be enclosed with lattice to grow climbing plants. A pergola may be added as an extension of a building, used to join patios, or extend from a building’s door to an open garden feature such as an isolated terrace or pool. Freestanding pergolas create an open sitting area that allows breeze and light while offering protection from the harsh glare of direct sunlight. Generally constructed of a weather-resistant wood such as red cedar, a pergola is an affordable and increasingly popular addition to many landscape designs.

Retaining Wall Contractors

Retaining walls can also be used for aesthetic purposes. Some people think that adding stones or plant life will give their property an appealing look so they incorporate retaining walls into their landscaping beds.

These walls can be created using many different materials including stones (either natural or artificial), concrete, metal sheets, wood, rotting logs (well-rotted logs will act like sand since they cannot hold their own weight when saturated), plastic sheets (in the case where dirt alone would not retain water well) and other sturdy building materials.

While retaining walls serve multiple functions, their primary purpose is to prevent erosion of sloped soils by holding them in place . Of course this depends upon the type of wall being built but generally , they hold soil in place by either holding the weight of the earth behind it or by interlocking and overlapping with each other.

Without retaining walls, even a slight slope of loose dirt and clay created from digging and removing roots can cause mudslides, washouts and poor drainage. This is not only unsightly but also potentially dangerous for people who choose to garden, play or live near such areas.

We will consult with you in developing an attractive design that will complement your home, not compete with it. Selecting a brick or stone similar to your home’s siding along with properly proportioned accents are things we help you decide when choosing materials. These elements can include walkways, walls, fences, arbors, gazebos, garden statues, fountains, bird baths, and lighting. We will help you decide which will work with your yard according to your taste and the available space around your property to create an overall cohesive look for your landscape.

If a new hardscape looks too harsh or stark, plant moss, lichen, or creeping plants may be added to stone walls and between stepping stones to soften their appearance. Painting concrete, terra cotta, or wood may also help create an aged, more established look and feel to a new hardscape installation.
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Call or email J & M Landscapes today to schedule a design consultation and receive more information about the services we offer. References are available upon request, and your satisfaction is guaranteed.