When you’re choosing materials for your new patio or driveway, you’re probably thinking about how it looks first. That makes sense. Amazing-looking hardscape options range from pavers that resemble English countryside cobblestone to natural stone that shimmers in the sunlight.
But remember where you live.
“Idaho’s climate is a major factor when selecting hardscape materials,” says Cole Allen, who works in outside sales at Outback Landscape. There’s plenty to consider besides how it looks.
“Freeze-thaw cycles, snow and ice, moisture, and UV exposure can all affect long-term performance,” Allen says. “In Idaho, freeze-thaw cycles are the biggest concern.”
What is the best hardscape material for Idaho's climate? Concrete pavers and non-porous varieties of natural stone are the best hardscape materials for Idaho's climate. They hold up well in our extreme freeze-thaw landscaping cycles, handle heavy winter snow and accommodate ground shifts without cracking.
Allen offers some insight and advice about choosing hardscape materials in Idaho.
What hardscape material does Allen suggest? There’s no one easy answer.
“It will honestly depend on the design and aesthetic choices of the client and their specific landscape conditions,” he says. “There are a variety of different styles, colors, and hardscape materials that do well in our climate. So really it would lean heavily on the look you’re trying to achieve.”
Love a rustic mountain look that fits the Idaho vibe? Natural stone is a great option, he says.
“Pavers also have a certain amount of charm,” Allen says. “Concrete pavers generally provide consistent durability and freeze-thaw performance, although their color can fade or show wear over time.”
Natural stone varies in durability, he says, depending on the type.
“Some types perform extremely well,” Allen says, “while more porous stone can struggle in our climate.”
“Dense, low-porosity options like quartzite are extremely durable and hold up very well to Idaho’s freeze-thaw conditions,” Allen says. “Choosing dense, low-porosity materials that are proven in our climate is important for maximizing durability and minimizing maintenance.”
What does he mean by “low-porosity?”
Low-porosity natural stone means the material has very few, very small empty spaces or pores within its structure. That’s good when it comes to long-lasting hardscapes in Idaho.
Because the mineral grains are tightly packed together, water can’t easily soak into the stone and freeze and expand. That means it’s less likely to crack from freezing water or break down from weathering over time.
Granite is low porosity. It’s formed from cooled magma, making it dense and tightly bound.
Slate is low porosity, too. It features a tight, layered structure with minimal absorption.
Allen loves quartzite, a hard metamorphic rock that resists moisture well.
We said this decision shouldn’t be all about looks, but quartzite looks amazing.
It has organic color variations, a subtle crystalline sparkle, and unique veining that will remind you of high-end marble.
It’s often laid as irregular flagstones or geometric pavers, with an expensive yet earthy aesthetic.
But getting back to why we’re here, how does quartzite hold up in Idaho?
How to use it? You can cut quartzite into irregular pieces for patios and walkways, modular pieces for retaining walls, or tumbled pieces with smooth, comfortable edges for pool coping and steps.
Natural stone hardscape is stunning and timeless, offering a textured, earthy look that works well in both formal and informal landscape designs. Landscape designers love it.
Concrete paver patios, driveways and walkways look high-end and can be designed with elegant patterns and borders.
Are they durable? You bet. Those pretty pavers are a lot tougher than they look.
Pavers flex and move as they shift, which means they don’t crack in our frigid Idaho winters.
Pavers rise with the winter freeze and settle back into place during the summer thaw. If damage does occur, we can pull up pavers in isolated sections and reinstall them without tearing out the entire area.
No tree root troubles, either. If a tree root sneaks under your paver driveway and raises an area, remove the affected pavers, address the tree roots and replace the pavers.
If a paver gets damaged, it’s easy to replace. Save a few from your hardscape installation.
If you want to make your driveway or patio more environmentally sustainable, you can use permeable pavers, which allow water to move through the surface. That helps with erosion and stormwater issues.
Poured concrete has come a long way in recent years, with stamping and tinting making it look much higher-end than the plain gray stuff you drew on with sidewalk chalk as a kid. It’s cheaper than other options, too.
But does it hold up in Idaho's climate? Not in our winters. Concrete’s big disadvantage is that it cracks.
As Outback owner Chase Coates likes to say, “There are two kinds of concrete: the kind that’s already cracked and the kind that will crack.”
Repairs are tricky with a stamped or colored pattern. It’s hard to recreate a specific color or design exactly, so if an area has to be repoured later, it might not match.
When it comes to Idaho hardscape materials, it’s best to steer clear of concrete.
Even the most stunning hardscape project won’t look great if it isn't installed properly.
Proper grading and leveling ensure your pavers or natural stone are level and drain well. Water can’t penetrate a hard surface the way it does a garden bed, so skilled grading is crucial.
Make sure you hire an Idaho Falls hardscape installation company with the skill and experience to do this right.
Whether you choose pavers or natural stone, you’ll need some occasional maintenance to keep your Idaho hardscape materials looking great and lasting for years.
Here’s what to expect:
Weekly sweeping to remove leaves, twigs, and loose dirt to prevent staining.
Clean up spills quickly. Blot food or grease spills immediately with a cloth, then use warm water and a pH-neutral dish soap.
Update your joint sand every few years, and clear out unwanted weeds or moss first. Then, top off the joints with fresh masonry or polymeric sand to keep your Idaho hardscape materials locked in place.
Apply sealer to your pavers or stone every 2 to 3 years, especially in high-traffic areas or near outdoor grills where grease drips.
Skip the de-icing salt. Avoid using harsh chemical de-icers or rock salt in winter, as they can cause your natural stone or pavers to disintegrate. Use plain sand for traction instead.
While durability is a major factor in choosing hardscape materials in Idaho, Allen says he also considers other elements. Where on the property will it be installed? How much use will it get? What aesthetic does the client want?
“All of these variables help determine which specific product will provide the best combination of appearance, durability, and long-term performance,” he says.
Unlike plantings and furniture, hardscape materials aren’t easy to change once installed, so it’s a big commitment. You want to get this right the first time.
This is where landscape designer expertise comes in: catalogs full of ideas, piles of samples, and the experience to help you choose Idaho hardscape materials that not only match your house but also stand up to our challenging climate.
Hardscape can be tricky, too. Drainage and water management are involved. Where to place your patio. Foot traffic patterns to consider.
Expert, thoughtful hardscape design plus skilled Idaho landscape construction makes sure your Idaho Falls hardscaping project looks amazing and stands the test of time.
Make sure the Idaho Falls landscaping company you choose for your hardscape project has a designer on board to help walk you through it all. Not all hardscaping services in Idaho Falls have one on staff.
Q: How does Idaho's freeze-thaw cycle affect patios and walkways?
A: Water expands when it freezes. When moisture seeps into hairline cracks or microscopic pores in hardscape materials, freezing turns it into ice, which widens those gaps incrementally with each freeze-thaw cycle.
Frost heave also happens when soil moisture freezes and pushes the soil upward, lifting sections of concrete or pavers unevenly.
Q: How long do different hardscape materials last?
A: Dense natural stone can last 50 to 100 or more years. Concrete pavers typically last 30 to 50 years, though colors can slowly weather over your paver patio lifespan. Poured or stamped concrete lasts only 20 to 30 years. It’s prone to cracking over time from harsh freeze-thaw cycles.
Q: Which Hardscape Materials Require the Least Maintenance?
A: Hard, durable natural stone can withstand heavy use and harsh weather without fading or breaking down quickly.
Concrete pavers are tough and long-lasting, though joint sand may need minor touch-ups every few years to prevent weeds.
At Outback Landscape, we love matching clients with the perfect hardscape materials and watching your excitement as the process unfolds.
We make it easy, from your first meeting with our landscape designers to the excitement of your hardscape installation.
We’ll talk with you about your expectations, what the project includes, the expected time frame for completion, and your budget.
We have Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI) certified installers on staff, with the skill and expertise to install your new project perfectly.
Outback Landscape is a full-service landscaping company offering maintenance, design, and landscape installation throughout Southeast Idaho and Wyoming.
We install beautiful, functional landscapes. But our work doesn’t stop there. We’ll stay with you for the long haul, taking care of your property through all four seasons.
We serve residential and commercial properties in Idaho Falls, Rexburg and Pocatello, Idaho, as well as Bonneville, Madison and Bannock counties and Jackson Hole, WY.
Call us at 208-656-3220 or fill out our contact form to schedule a no-obligation meeting with a member of our team. We can’t wait to hear from you.