In Iowa, the wind is often the factor that drives people indoors. A sunny, 50-degree day in March is beautiful—until a 20mph gust cuts right through you. Privacy screens aren't just for blocking eyes; they are for blocking the elements. Larkin Landscape and Design utilizes vertical hardscaping to create "microclimates" that block the wind, effectively extending your patio season by two months. Here are five techniques we use.

1. Glass Railing Systems: For patios with a view, you don't want a solid wall. Tempered glass railing systems block the biting wind while preserving the sightline. This is particularly effective for fire pit areas, keeping the flame steady and the heat contained within the seating zone.

2. Louvered Privacy Walls: Adjustable wood or composite louvers allow you to control the airflow. On a hot stagnant day, you open them to catch a breeze. On a blustery fall evening, you close them to create a warm, sheltered nook. For hardscaping and landscaping in Ankeny, IA, this adaptability is key to handling our variable weather.

3. Dense Conifer Rows: Deciduous trees lose their leaves right when you need wind protection the most. Planting a dense wall of Arborvitae or Black Hills Spruce on the northwest side of your patio creates a permanent, year-round windbreak that reduces wind velocity by up to 50%.

4. Sunken Patios: Instead of building up, we dig down. A sunken patio, even just 18 to 24 inches below grade, significantly reduces wind exposure. The retaining walls act as a thermal mass, absorbing sun during the day and radiating it back at night, creating a cozy pocket of warm air.

5. Masonry Fireplaces: A large stone fireplace creates a massive solid barrier. By positioning it against the prevailing wind direction, you create a "shadow zone" of calm air in front of the hearth, allowing you to enjoy a fire even on a breezy night.

Conclusion Creating wind-protected microclimates extends the usability of outdoor spaces significantly. Techniques like glass railings, adjustable louvers, dense conifer plantings, sunken patios, and strategically placed masonry fireplaces block wind and retain heat, allowing homeowners to enjoy their patios earlier in spring and later in autumn.

Call to Action Extend your outdoor season by designing a wind-protected patio with Larkin Landscape and Design. https://www.larklandscape.com/