The Maine Women's Journal - Fall 2007

Hardscaping, a Brief History

Linda Gagne-Boucher

Have you looked out a window of your home lately and envisioned something completely different than what you see before you? Perhaps a pathway from the front porch to the driveway, or maybe a patio right off the back deck surrounded by a small decorative wall. A relatively new concept to this part of the world is a term called “hardscaping,” the use of stone and cementatious products to enhance the beauty and value of your property.

Hardscaping has been around since before the Roman Empire. Over 50,000 miles of road were constructed out of stone and mortar to connect most of Western Europe during this period.

After World War II, war torn Germany saw the renaissance in “hardscaping” with the introduction of interlocking concrete pavers in many different shapes, sizes and colors. Millions of square feet of pavers were manufactured and installed all over the country giving Germany the beauty it has today.

It didn’t take long for the rest of Europe and the Far East to catch on to this “New” “Old” concept.

Finally in the 1970’s, hardscaping made its way across the Atlantic, landing in Canada and within ten years hardscaping migrated to the United States. By the mid-90’s over two hundred million square feet were being produced in this country and now it is still considered a concept in its infancy.

Installing interlocking pavers and decorative retaining walls is relatively easy. Preparing the ground is certainly the most important part of the project. The rest is the frosting on the cake. There are also many qualified hardscaping installers in most every community. A lot of the contractors are I.C.P.I. (Interlocking Concrete Paver Institution) Certified, but it is always a good idea to check their work and include references.

If you would like to give your property a bit of old-world charm and add value, hardscaping just might be the answer you are looking for!

For more information on how to get started with your hardscape project Contact Linda Gagne-Boucher at Gagne and Son @ 1.800.339.3313 or visit any one of our seven hardscape centers in, Belgrade, Auburn, Westbrook, Saco, Naples, Kittery, Topsham.

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