Hardscaping​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ in Bradley Beach, NJ: Insights From Actual Coastal Backyard Projects

 

Being a local in Monmouth County means you can't help but notice one thing pretty quickly - coastal yards behave differently from yards just a few towns inland. It's not a matter of better or worse; simply... different. If there's one place where it is really evident is Bradley Beach, New Jersey.

When a person thinks about hardscaping in Bradley Beach, NJ, the first thing that comes to their mind is usually the fun part: patios, walkways, and maybe even a fire pit area or a small outdoor seating space. However, our experience with local projects has shown that the "hidden" parts of the yard are equally important - sometimes even more hardscaping in Bradley Beach NJ.

This is just a summary of our experiences, realizations, and those little moments when we figured out "oh, that's why that happens" while working with the coastal Monmouth County areas.

Living by the Coast Affects Your Yard

The first thing that residents would probably point out, especially after their first heavy downpour, is that the water doesn't always exit the yard the way they expected.

The salt air, sandy soil, and the Atlantic Ocean weather changes throughout the year make the earth in Bradley Beach somewhat of a puzzle. It drains swiftly in some areas and retails water in others. The soil shifts more than most people realize, particularly after the freeze-thaw cycles in the winter.

One client shared with us, "We believed we simply needed a patio. But we didn't know we were also handling water problems."

That is in fact the main takeaway. In the coastal areas of Monmouth County, a yard is far from just a flat surface where you erect your premises - it's more like a system which the elements keep influencing.

Common Hardscaping Issues in Bradley Beach

These are some of the issues that we have encountered repeatedly with coastal properties:

Water Accumulating After Rain

First and foremost, this is a major concern. Many older homes in Bradley Beach did not have drainage systems that comply with the current standards. Therefore, when you install a new patio or a walkway, it might inadvertently alter water flow patterns.

Instead of flowing away, water can accumulate near the base of the house or in the low sections of the yard. A patio that is well built can be "off" and still not have drilling around it if the water is not properly directed.

The catch is that everything may seem fine until the first heavy summer downpour.

Patios Moving Down or Shifting

Frequently, people believe that once a patio is installed, it will last forever without the need for any work. But when dealing with coastal soil, especially sandy or loose ground, patio movement isn't unusual if the base hasn't been suitably prepared.

Our company has seen patios that first year looked perfect, but by their third year, they showed signs of small uneven spots. This was not due to the materials being of poor quality but rather the foundation not having been built to accommodate the soil conditions here.

Small Spaces and Compact Properties

As you might have noticed already, many properties in Bradley Beach are small-sized. That leads to a different kind of challenge when it comes to designing spaces.

You tend to find yourself working with narrow side yards or small back patios that have to serve multiple functions: dining, relaxing, sometimes even the storage corners.

Instead of "filling" space, the aim is to create a feeling of space without making it feel too large.

The Real Objective of Homeowners Besides Good Looking Pavers

When it comes to hardscaping, people primarily think about the visual aspect. But after a little more discussion, the truth often surfaces.

Producing Lots of Usable Space While Still Maintaining Greenery

Generally speaking, homeowners are not aiming for 100% hardscaping. Instead, they want a pleasant balance – an outdoor spot for seating and sunbathing without an overwhelming amount of concrete and stone.

In that case, it involves thinking about garden beds, or employing gradual transitions between stone and grass as opposed to stark dividing lines.

Isolating Outdoor Areas for Privacy

Privacy is an issue that comes up more unexpectedly than you might think, especially in beach towns where houses are built close together.

Sometimes privacy is accomplished by the layout and the use of elevated or angled seating areas. Somewhat more directed planting or walling assists in guiding sightlines but without completely blocking out the space.

Living Near the Beach with Little-to-No Maintenance

Homeowners near the coast typically desire a simple to maintain yard. Having to keep up with sand, wind, and salt is a nightmare for everyone, so a yard that demands constant maintenance is least likely to be chosen.

Consequently, the talk usually drifts towards the discussion of durability and ease rather than the complexity of the task.

Things We Keep Repeating At The Local Clients Projects

Over time, certain lessons just keep repeating themselves.

Investing in Base Preparation Pays Off

This might even be our main point of emphasis. Rarely focusing on the hidden part, the durability and longevity of the selected materials go hand in hand with good support and soil conditions.

By ensuring the ground is well compacted and different layers are present, including a thorough understanding of soil conditions, one can make a change to the extent that even most clients won't realize ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌it.