Homes require a lot of maintenance and upkeep, and it can seem to be never ending. There is hardly a year that passes for most homeowners when something doesn’t have to be fixed, replaced, or completely redone. What with all of this to think about, investing in professional landscaping is not high on the priority list for many people. But it’s definitely something that can not only help improve the look of your yard, but it can also raise the value of your home, save you on water and energy costs, and generally improve your life.
Improve the Curb Appeal of Your Home
Like it or not, appearances matter. The simple fact is, professional landscaping makes homes approachable and welcoming, and lets the world know that you are proud of and invested in your property.
Increase the Value of Your Home
Yes, it has been proven that professional landscaping does increase the value of your property, and actually by quite a lot. It’s known as one of the few home projects that pays dividends for several years. Nicely landscaped homes are estimated to be valued at from 5.5% to 12.7% higher than comparable homes with no landscaping. Buyers are looking for a neat and tidy design as well as healthy and established trees, shrubs, and perennials. Everything should work nicely together, rather than look piecemeal and haphazard.
Reduce Energy Use
It’s not something that a lot of people think about, but professional landscaping has the ability to help lower your home’s energy usage.
In the winter, well-placed trees act as a windbreak, which can reduce heating costs. Coniferous trees like spruce and firs are best for this as they retain their shape during the winter, but even trees that lose their leaves can help. They should be planted the proper distance away to be able stop the wind before it reaches your home. A combination of trees and shrubs can block cool breezes for the upper and lower levels of your house. Windbreaks keep your home quieter, as well.
Trees and shrubs also provide cooling shade in the summer. The air in a shaded area is significantly cooler than that above, and stops radiant heat from pathways, sidewalks and driveways from reaching your windows, doors, and walls. Smart landscaping for colder climates should also allow the sun to reach south-facing windows to warm interiors.
Professional Landscaping to Help Save Water
You can also save on water costs with professional landscaping services. When there is major work being done in your yard it’s very easy for us to install underground irrigation at the same time. An automated and calibrated system not only simplifies the process of keeping your yard well-watered, it also greatly reduces overall water use.
Underground sprinklers can be installed in zones to deliver moisture to specific areas of your yard, such as your gardens, your lawn, and your shrub beds. Shaded areas will need less water, sunny areas will require more, and we can set your sprinklers to go off for less time where it’s cool and dark and more where it’s bright and warm. Underground sprinklers also come in different heights to reach up and over plantings in garden areas to get to the soil where it’s needed, or spray low and wide for lawns. Irrigation systems also come with rain sensors that will automatically turn your sprinklers off when there has been enough natural moisture provided.
Xeriscaping is another way to save water, and also allows for a lot of creativity in your landscape design. This type of professional landscaping generally requires less maintenance and less water than traditional designs. Xeriscaped properties have less grass, utilize drought-resistant plants, and make use of elements such as retaining walls, rocks, and mulch.
Keep Your Home or Business Safer
Professional landscaping can also be a way to make your home safer. We can ensure to design your yard to eliminate hiding spaces and keep doorways and pathways clear so that they can be well lit. Low and thorny bushes such as roses and barberries are great for planting next to homes and under windows to make it hard for people to sneak up. You should also always be able to clearly see your gates and other entrances from the windows of your home – they should never be obstructed by trees and plants
Residential and Commercial Professional Landscaping from Mirage
We have more than three generations of experience landscaping in Calgary, providing landscape maintenance and construction services for these southeast districts and communities:
Auburn Bay, Chaparral, Chaparral Valley, Copperfield, Cranston, Douglasdale, Heritage Pointe, Lake Bonavista, Mahogany, McKenzie Lake, Mackenzie Towne, Maple Ridge, New Brighton, Odgen/Lynwood/Millican, Parkland, Riverbend, Sundance, Walden, and Willow Park.
Contact us for a free quote for your professional landscaping project.