Landscape architects shape the bones of our outdoor spaces – from urban plazas to country estates. Their specifications balance aesthetics, function, and longevity. But when subpar products enter the equation, projects unravel fast. Here’s what pros specify most and why quality isn’t negotiable.
🌿 1. Permeable Paving Systems
- Why Specified: Manages stormwater runoff (critical for UK SUDS compliance), reduces flooding, recharges aquifers.
- Top Choices:
- Resin-Bound Gravel: Seamless aesthetic, high permeability
- Grass Grid Systems: Combines parking with greenery
- Recycled Composite Pavers: 95% reclaimed content
- Poor Quality Perils:
- Clogging & Flooding: Cheap aggregates lose permeability in 2-3 years
- Surface Degradation: UV-resistant binders fade/crack if inferior
- Cost: Replacing failed systems costs 3x initial install
🛡️ 2. Geosynthetic Solutions (Erosion Mats, Root Barriers)
- Why Specified: Stabilize slopes, protect structures from roots, create stable planting zones.
- Top Choices:
- Coir Logs: Biodegradable slope control
- HDPE Root Barriers: Protect foundations from invasive trees
- TurboTurf™: Reinforced grass for high-traffic zones
- Poor Quality Perils:
- Erosion Catastrophes: Weak tensile strength causes landslides on steep sites
- Invasive Roots: Thin barriers rupture (e.g., bamboo through cheap poly)
- Ecological Damage: Non-biodegradable synthetics fragment into microplastics
💧 3. Smart Irrigation & Drainage
- Why Specified: Precision water management (UK water restrictions), prevent hardscape heaving.
- Top Choices:
- Weather-Responsive Controllers: Link to Met Office API
- Geocellular Tanks: Underground stormwater storage
- Slot Drains: Sleek surface water removal
- Poor Quality Perils:
- Chronic Leaks: Cheap PVC pipes crack in freeze-thaw cycles
- System Failures: Non-certified controllers waste 40%+ more water
- Flood Liability: Collapsed tanks flood basements (insurance nightmares)
🌳 4. Structural Soils & Soil Amendments
- Why Specified: Support tree health under pavements, remediate contaminated urban sites.
- Top Choices:
- CU-Structural Soil®: Stone-soil matrix for root growth under load
- Biochar Amendments: Sequester carbon, boost moisture retention
- Mycorrhizal Inoculants: Accelerate plant establishment
- Poor Quality Perils:
- Tree Mortality: Compacted “topsoil” suffocates roots in 18 months
- Contaminant Spread: Unverified recycled aggregates leach toxins
- Wasted Budgets: 70% of urban trees fail without engineered soils
♻️ 5. Recycled Hardscaping Materials
- Why Specified: Meet BREEAM sustainability targets, circular economy mandates.
- Top Choices:
- Reconstituted Sandstone: 100% quarry waste
- Glassphalt Pavement: Crushed bottle aggregate
- Plastic Lumber Decking: Recycled ocean plastics
- Poor Quality Perils:
- Structural Failure: Weak recycled composites warp under load
- Aesthetic Rejection: Inconsistent coloring leads to client disputes
- Greenwashing Fines: False recycled content claims violate FTC/CMA rules
⚠️ The Ripple Effect of Poor Specifications
| Failure Point | Immediate Cost | Long-Term Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Cheap Erosion Control | £5k slope repair | £50k habitat restoration |
| Substandard Irrigation | 30% water overuse | Native plant die-off |
| Weak Permeable Pavers | Localized flooding | SUDS compliance fines |
| Toxic Soil Amendments | Tree replacement | Groundwater contamination claims |
Landscape Architects hold a key role in keeping costs down on a new build through considerate and careful planning.
The right products help ensure that new developments retain value and quality over centuries.
Our team has experience in specifying materials in Landscape Architecture and can help you source or find the right product for you.
Find out more by contacting our team.