landscape basics

Landscaping can provide comfort at low cost. Trees and shrubs may deflect winds, drive breezes, shade your roof, your walls and your windows, block unwanted sunlight, and make the surrounding environment of your home fresher or more sheltered, and all at a small cost...

Do not underestimate landscaping in your cooling and heating strategies. Pay close attention to it.

Evapotranspiration

Trees block sunlight, preventing it from reaching the ground. They do what is technically called evapotranspiration: besides blocking sunlight they release water vapor, making the surrounding environment fresher.

But trees and shrubs can do much more for the sake of your home, and your cooling strategies and home sheltering from the cold winds. We list this landscaping features below.

Cooling the hot parts of the house using trees

It's important to cool your roof in summer. And to block undesired heat, avoiding it to reach the windows and walls. Strategically planted trees provide a much desired shade.

Use deciduous trees in cold and Mild Climates

Deciduous trees allow you to shelter your home from the hot summer sun, without blocking the good winter sun. In climates with cold winters and reasonable heating needs, they are particularly important.

Directing cooling breezes towards your home

Strategically planted shrubs and trees, can drive cooling breezes towards your home in hot weather conditions. If your lot is large enough, and if your region has hot summers and regular summer winds, driving those winds is an important landscaping strategy to maximize comfort at low cost.

Blocking cold winds

Trees and shrubs do not only drive cooling winds. They also can block unwanted cold winter winds. You should study the winds in your site, and study the implementation of windbreaks. If possible, it will be extremely advantageous.

Drainage

Plants and the ground around your home may also help you to avoid water pooling and wet foundations. Plants can intercept water, while a conveniently designed slope of the ground will drive the rain water away from your home's foundations.