Top Hardscaping Contractors in Glenview, Illinois Ranked

A well-designed hardscape transforms your Glenview property, creating durable and beautiful outdoor living spaces like patios, walkways, and retaining walls. These installations are more than just aesthetics; they provide functional solutions for drainage, erosion control, and maximizing your usable yard space. This guide will help you understand the unique considerations for hardscaping in Glenview, from material choices to navigating local soil challenges, so you can confidently connect with skilled professionals for your project.

Ross & Jack's Landscaping Inc

chicago

Ross & Jack's Landscaping Inc is a family-owned landscaping company based in Elmhurst, Illinois, serving Chicago and surrounding towns. Since 1975, they have offered comprehensive landscaping services including landscape design, installation, grounds maintenance, lawn care, sod installation, drainage solutions, and hardscaping such as retaining walls and brick paving. Their expertise includes digital landscape design layouts to help clients visualize projects before installation, as well as specialized drainage solutions like dry wells to manage water issues effectively. The company focuses on creating functional and aesthetically pleasing outdoor living spaces that enhance property value.

5.0

157 Reviews

Platinum Patio and Pavers

1125 Candlenut Dr, Naperville, IL 60540

Platinum Patio and Pavers is a landscaping and hardscaping contractor based in Chicago, IL. They specialize in creating outdoor living spaces, including outdoor kitchens with various countertop options such as natural stone and engineered quartz. The company also installs paver sidewalks and entryways that enhance curb appeal and functionality. Their services focus on integrating natural-looking pavers into landscapes to improve garden aesthetics and home entrances.

5.0

115 Reviews

Junior's Landscaping Inc

831 Dennis Dr, Bensenville, IL 60106

Junior's Landscaping Inc is a landscaping and hardscaping company based in Chicago, IL. They provide services including landscape design, lawn seeding and blanketing, spring cleanup with mulching, and the installation of paver patios and retaining walls. The team handles project permitting and cleanup, ensuring a smooth process from design to completion. Junior's Landscaping Inc is known for transforming outdoor spaces to enhance curb appeal and functionality.

5.0

98 Reviews

Pavestone Brick Paving, Inc

1645 Elk Blvd, Des Plaines, IL 60016

Pavestone Brick Paving, Inc is a family-owned hardscape contractor serving Chicago, IL, and the surrounding north and northwest suburbs. They specialize in designing and installing brick and stone patios, driveways, walkways, retaining walls, outdoor kitchens, and outdoor lighting. As an authorized contractor for Unilock and Rochester, Pavestone offers high-quality paver products and provides full 3D hardscape and landscape color renderings to assist with project visualization. With over 24 years of experience, they focus on craftsmanship and structural integrity to create durable and aesthetically pleasing outdoor living spaces. Pavestone also offers permeable paver installations for environmentally sustainable projects.

4.9

255 Reviews

Chino's Tree Care & Landscaping Inc.

chicago

Chino's Tree Care & Landscaping Inc. is a full-service tree care and landscaping company based in Chicago, IL. They provide tree pruning, removal, and stump grinding services to maintain safe and healthy outdoor spaces. The company also specializes in fence installation and high-quality paver patio hardscaping, enhancing both security and outdoor living areas. Serving Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, Will, and McHenry counties, they emphasize safety with experienced crews and proper equipment. Their team handles projects with care to meet structural and building code requirements.

4.9

240 Reviews

See more providers in Glenview, IL

Understanding Glenview's Hardscaping Environment

Successful outdoor construction in Glenview begins with a deep understanding of the local environment. The village's climate and geology present specific challenges that must be addressed in the planning and installation phases to ensure your investment stands the test of time.

The Challenge of Clay Soil and Freeze-Thaw Cycles

The most significant factor influencing any landscape construction project in Glenview is the area's pervasive heavy clay soil ¹. This soil type expands when saturated with water and contracts as it dries, creating constant movement beneath the surface. When combined with the severe Midwest freeze-thaw cycles, this movement can wreak havoc on improperly installed masonry, pavers, and concrete ^{2 3}. Water trapped in the clay freezes and expands, pushing materials upward (frost heave), and then thaws, leaving voids that cause settling and cracking. This makes expert base preparation and integrated drainage solutions not just recommendations but absolute necessities for longevity.

Navigating Local Topography and Drainage

Glenview's topography can vary, featuring gentle slopes and natural grade changes. While this can add visual interest to a property, it also requires careful management of water runoff. Professional hardscape designers often use this topography to their advantage, creating multi-level designs that are both aesthetically striking and functional for controlling erosion ^{4 5}. Proper grading is the first line of defense; a slope of 1-2% away from your home's foundation is a standard requirement to direct water flow ⁶. For more complex drainage issues, solutions like French drains, dry wells, and permeable paving systems are commonly integrated into the hardscape plan to manage the low permeability of clay soil and prevent pooling water or basement flooding ^{1 7}.

Essential Materials for Durability and Style

Choosing the right materials is crucial for creating a hardscape that withstands Glenview's climate while matching your home's architecture and your personal style. Local contractors are familiar with the performance of various options in our specific conditions.

Concrete Pavers: A top choice for patios, walkways, and driveways due to their exceptional versatility and design flexibility. When installed correctly over a properly prepared base and jointed with polymeric sand, interlocking concrete pavers are highly resistant to cracking from ground movement. Reputable brands like Unilock offer a wide range of colors, textures, and shapes, allowing for intricate patterns ^{8 9}.

Natural Stone: For a timeless, high-end aesthetic, natural stone such as bluestone, flagstone, or limestone is unparalleled. It offers unique variations in color and texture. However, its installation demands precision. Natural stone requires an exceptionally solid and level foundation to prevent individual stones from shifting or rocking over time, making professional installation critical ^{1 10}.

Poured Concrete: A cost-effective option for large, seamless surfaces like patios and sidewalks. Stamped and colored concrete can mimic the look of more expensive materials. The primary drawback in Glenview is its susceptibility to cracking if the underlying clay soil shifts significantly. Control joints are used to manage cracking, but movement is often inevitable ¹¹.

Retaining Wall Blocks: Segmental concrete blocks are the industry standard for building functional and decorative retaining walls. These systems are engineered to manage slopes, prevent soil erosion, and create level planting areas. They are designed to interlock and often require geogrid reinforcement for taller walls to handle the lateral pressure of the soil behind them ^{8 12}.

Key Construction Considerations and Codes

A beautiful design is only as good as the construction that supports it. Adhering to best practices and local building codes is non-negotiable for a safe and lasting hardscape installation.

Frost Depth and Footings: Any permanent structure, such as a tall retaining wall, a pergola, or a built-in grill island, needs footings that extend below the frost line. In Illinois, the minimum frost depth is generally 36 inches, but local Glenview requirements may specify up to 42 inches ^{13 14}. This prevents frost heave from lifting and damaging the structure.

Base Preparation: This is the most critical step for patios and walkways. A proper base typically involves excavating several inches of native soil, compacting a sub-base, and then adding and compacting a layer of crushed limestone or gravel. The depth and composition of this base are calculated based on soil conditions and expected load to provide a stable, non-shifting platform for the surface materials ^{1 15}.

Drainage Integration: As discussed, drainage must be designed into the project from the start. This can include the slope (grade) of the surface, channel drains within the patio, and subsurface systems like perforated pipe wrapped in gravel (French drains) that collect and redirect groundwater away from the house and hardscape ^{16 17}.

Planning and Budgeting for Your Project

A clear plan and realistic budget are the foundations of a successful hardscaping project. Understanding the cost drivers and the planning process will help you communicate effectively with contractors.

Understanding Cost Ranges

Hardscaping costs in Glenview vary widely based on material selection, project complexity, site accessibility, and the scope of necessary ground preparation and drainage work. The following are general estimates to help with initial budgeting ^{11 18}:

• Patios: Using materials like concrete pavers or natural stone, expect a range of $10 to $50 per square foot installed.
• Walkways: Generally fall between $9 and $20 per square foot.
• Retaining Walls: Costs are often calculated by the linear foot for the wall face or by the square foot of the wall face. Installed costs can range from $40 to $300 per linear foot or $20 to $65 per square foot. The total project cost for a retaining wall can range from approximately $3,200 to over $10,000 depending on its height, length, and engineering requirements ^{19 20}.

Always remember that the lowest bid may not account for the comprehensive drainage and base work required for Glenview's conditions, which could lead to costly repairs later.

The Importance of Professional Estimates and Permits

It is highly recommended to obtain several detailed, written estimates from licensed and insured local hardscaping professionals. A thorough estimate should break down material costs, labor, site preparation, drainage components, and debris removal. Don't hesitate to ask for local references and examples of past work, especially projects that are a few years old, to see how they have held up.

Before any work begins, check with the Village of Glenview's Community Development Department regarding permit requirements. Projects involving structural walls, significant grading, or work near property lines often require permits and inspections to ensure they comply with local codes ¹⁴. A reputable contractor will usually handle this process for you.

Integrating Hardscape with Your Overall Landscape

The best outdoor spaces achieve a harmonious balance between the built environment (hardscape) and the living, growing elements (softscape). This concept, often called "hardscaping vs. softscaping," is about creating a cohesive and inviting outdoor room ³.

Consider how your new patio will connect to your lawn or garden beds. Plan for planting pockets within retaining walls or space for container gardens on your patio. The materials and colors of your hardscape should complement your home's exterior and the surrounding greenery. Thoughtful integration enhances beauty, improves drainage through planted areas, and creates a more natural, welcoming environment.

Frequently asked questions

Sources