There are so many incredible options when it comes to eco-friendly hardscaping products. All are beautiful additions to your overall landscape, and many have the added benefits of being low maintenance materials. A non-exhaustive list includes:
Natural Stone
A great eco-friendly option, natural stone can be used in any project from installing pavers to building retaining walls. Go the extra step in environmental consciousness and source your stone from a local quarry, cutting back on pollution due to the freighting of materials.
Permeable Pavers
This type of paver looks and acts very much like typical pavers. The main difference between the two is that permeable pavers are set farther apart from one another, allowing water to behave in a natural way, and causing rainwater to permeate the ground near to where it falls rather than run off to other areas.
Ceramic Pavers
Ceramic pavers are made from clay, a naturally occurring material that when heated to a very high temperature becomes hard and durable. If left unglazed, the ceramic material allows water to pass through its body, making this an excellent option for ensuring permeability in your hardscape design.
Permeable Asphalt
This material is made up of a greater portion of larger particles than its traditional counterpart. These larger particles leave gaps in the material that allow water to seep through rather than run off.
Gravel
Gravel is a great option that is both highly permeable and excellent for initiating contaminant reduction. Not only is it useful and environmentally friendly, but can be a great cost-effective option for hardscaping in level areas.
Cobblestone
A classic choice that is also eco-friendly, cobblestones are often set in sand or small gravel, making them yet another good option for supporting the natural water cycle. This is a beautiful option when looking for an alternative to a brick patio.
Flagstone
Like cobblestone, flagstone pavers, such as the bluestone variety, are a timeless option with excellent permeability, perfect for allowing rainwater to return to the water table.
These hardscape materials are impressive and popular, but they aren’t the only ones that are worthy of installation in your eco-friendly landscape. A bit of digging will help you to find even more eco-friendly alternatives for your hardscaping.
There are a vast number of eco-friendly hardscape materials out there, and through some consideration and research, homeowners can determine what is the best available option in their area.
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