Rectangle Backyard Ideas
Rectangle Backyard Ideas
Rectangle Backyard Ideas
Landscaping with Stone & Masonry
Rectangle backyards call for carefully crafted designs that utilize all the nooks and crannies of every corner. One of the most popular materials to use for these custom designs is stone and masonry. These are weighty materials that can support much more than just lush, green plants. With stone and masonry, endless possibilities for structures, terrain features, and other decorative features can be designed with purpose. Of course, these features and elements can also be used in conjunction with green components like plants, trees, and shrubs to enhance the environment even further.
Doing so poses its own challenges as these materials require considerable resources and knowledge to design, craft, and install correctly. Depending on the scope of the project, hiring a professional mix of landscape artists and masonry specialists is usually necessary. Additionally, utilizing proper techniques for constructing masonry features such as wet stacking, dry stacking, and veneer requires technique and attention to detail. But when used strategically, landscaping with stone and masonry can provide a long-lasting beauty to a rectangle backyard design.
Historical Context
The use of stone and masonry for landscaping predates written history. Archaeologists have ucovered stone structures and formations throughout almost every part of the world that date back to the time of the hunter-gatherers. Additionally, there are monuments like Stonehenge in England and the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt that demonstrate that humans have long recognized the power and beauty of a well-crafted stone formation for centuries.
Key Milestones
The use of stone and masonry in landscaping has come a long way since the days of hunter-gatherers. Early in the 20th Century, the foundation for formalized design was created. Architectural books, such as Design and Construction of Garden Structures by E. H. Diehl, grew in popularity and provided detailed guidance for the use of stone in garden and yard design. As the century progressed, the scope of materials grew and the ability to produce man-made materials with masonry grew. This resulted in the introduction of new techniques and tools that could facilitate the increased complexity of masonry designs.
Popular Trends
Today, the use of stone in backyard designs is as popular as ever. Incorporating natural stones into landscape design has been a trend for many years, with the majority of popular landscaping shows including a feature or two utilizing this technique. Homeowners who are redoing backyard designs are also opting for stone features and structures for a more elegant look. From retaining walls to inlays to patios and walkways, stone and masonry are becoming popular choices for enhancing a backyard design.
Potential Pitfalls
Even with the rise in popularity of stone and masonry in backyard designs, there are potential pitfalls that need to be kept in mind. Constructing stone and masonry features requires considerable resources and knowledge, as noted above. This can be quite costly and time-consuming, and the overall cost of a project can easily add up. Furthermore, construction errors can also lead to problems with structural integrity and create issues with drainage, leading to further costly repairs.
Rules and Restrictions of Building a Fence
A fence can provide a great way to enclose a backyard property, ensuring privacy for the individuals within. There are a plethora of regulations and stipulations that come with the installation of a fence around a residential property, so it's important to acquaint oneself with local zoning laws and other guidelines before moving forward. In most cases, a homeowner will need to get permission from neighbors, the homeowner's association, and the local municipality before erecting a fence. It is typically best to obtain a building permit to avoid costly fines and other complications.
Historical Context
Regulation of the construction of fences in residential areas can be traced back to the Middle Ages. During this time, homeowners began to recognize the need for regulations that would substantialy reduce household disputes after a problem arose. By the 19th Century, these regulations had become formalized through local zoning laws, and by the late 20th Century almost every U.S. municipality (except rural areas) had regulations on fencing.
Key Milestones
During the 1900s, there was a noticeable Democratization of regulations around fencing. Prior to this, many of the fencing regulations had been homogeneous with little variation within different municipalities. However, during the 1900s there was a conscious shift from blanket regulations to more specific rules that impacted different configurations and types of fences differently.
Popular Trends
The most popular type of fence today is the wooden privacy or picket fence with metal posts and black metal mesh. This type of fence offers plenty of strength and durability, while also providing a minimalistic aesthetic that fits well into most residential backyards. Installing a fence of this type requires a great deal of planning and preparation, but it's also known for being relatively easy to build.
Potential Pitfalls
As mentioned earlier, obtaining a building permit is essential for the construction of a fence in most residential locations. Not only will this help prevent potentially costly fines, but it will also ensure that a fence is built in compliance with local laws. Failing to do this can lead to serious complications and even potentially result in the demolition of an already-built fence. It's important to contact the appropriate municipal department before considering a fence.
Insights
Rectangle backyards can be challenging to design, and often times require careful consideration of all the various prospects. Landscaping with stone and masonry can provide a long-lasting physical aesthetic as well as many practical uses, but requires considerable expertise in order to construct properly. Moreover, getting permission from neighbors, homeowners associations, and municipal authorities is usually necessary for the construction of a fence. When properly designed and installed, these features can have many positive benefits that can provide a classic and elegant addition to a backyard design.
With all of this in mind, homeowners exploring a rectangle backyard design should consider the options carefully when it comes to landscaping with stone and masonry, as well as obtaining the necessary permissions and permits before building a fence. Doing so will help ensure a successful project that produces the desired outcome!
Previous Page
Next Page