When you are hiring a landscape contractor in Bloomfield Hills, you want to make sure that your money is going to be spent on the best quality service that you can buy. Nothing is worse than expecting a professional job from a landscaping company in Bloomfield and getting a sub par job that makes the landscaping around your property look amateur and cheap. Fortunately, there are ways that you can minimize this risk and ensure that you find a great landscape contractor in Bloomfield Hills. [Read more…]
Michigan Landscaping Company Constantly Battles the Elements
Providing long lasting landscaping in Michigan is an uphill battle fought by landscape contractors. The seasonal changes and yearly freeze and thaw cycles can damage landscapes in if proper care is not taken during installation. Many people love to try their hand at landscaping their own property, but when it comes to some projects it is really better to get the professional opinion of a landscape contractor.
Contact a landscaping company that is based in your area for a consultation on the best options for your yard. A landscape contractor can take your thoughts and ideas and help you to create the kind of outdoor area that you have been dreaming of. They may even be able to help you save money on the landscaping that you want to have done. [Read more…]
Brick Pavers Installation Michigan
There are many things to consider when you are thinking about installing a brick paver patio or driveway pavers in Michigan. First you should decide whether this is something you want to try to do yourself or whether you want to hire a professional to install it for you. Brick pavers installation can be done as a DIY project if you follow the directions carefully. There are also many professional brick paver installation companies that can be hired for the work. [Read more…]
Retaining Walls
Retaining Walls are often used to leval a yard or to prevent erosion on a hillside. In a flat yard, you can build a low retaining wall and fill in behind it to create a raised planting bed. Terraced retaining walls work well on steep hillsides. Two or more short retaining walls are easier to install and more stable than a single, tall retaining wall. Construct the terraces so each wall is no taller than three feet. While retaining walls can be built from many materials, including wood timbers and natural stones, interlocking concrete blocks have become a very popular choice. Typically made from concrete, retaining wall blocks are rather inexpensive, very durable, and easy to install. Several styles of interlocking block are available at building centers and at your local landscaping supply yard. Most types have a split-face finish that combines the rough texture of cut stone with the uniform shape and size of concrete blocks. Some have cast flanges or tongue and grooves to create a locking system that holds the retaining wall together. Other types do not interlock, but have flat surfaces that need to be bonded with landscaping stone adhesive. Some older styles relied on nylon pins that fit into cast holes in the blocks to add strength and assist in alignment. This type of system is rarely used today. Interlocking wall blocks can weigh up to 80 lbs. each, so its a good idea to have helpers when building a retaining wall. [Read more…]
Patio Landscaping
Creating a patio for the first time can be an exciting experience for any home owner, given to the touch of creativity that can expand through the horizon. Of course the labor and cost would be something secondary, it would be a enriching experience, thus a few patio landscaping ideas should be in place.
First off is to know what kind of theme should be planned out, and this would only determine on where the homeowner is located. Patios are meant to be a place to relax outdoors, and what better way is to set the mood depending on the scenery. The material involve should be both aesthetically and functional, thus allowing the patio to be sturdy as well as good to look at. [Read more…]
Paving Stone Fire Pit
A stone fire pit makes a wonderful focal point for backyard gatherings. Many local codes within Macomb and Oakland County require that the fire pit area be at least 20 feet from the house. This should include the surrounding circular area that can be outfitted with chairs, benches, and/or brick seating walls. Stone fire pits can be dressed with several different materials such as retaining wall blocks, flagstone, garden wall stones, and brick pavers to create a firebreak between the stone fire pit and surrounding structures. For safety concerns, fire pits should only be installed on ground level. When constructing a fire pit out of any stone material, be sure to set the stones on a solid foundation such as compacted gravel or a cement footing. It is recommended to prepare your seating area at the same time as your fire pit to ensure both areas are set at the same level. Most cities such as Rochester Hills, Shelby Township, Macomb, Oakland Township, and Sterling Heights Michigan have regulations for the maximum size of a stone fire pit. It is recommended to check the city codes in which you live to avoid any violation issues. Some cities may also require a permit each time you use your stone fire pit, or at least notify your local fire department so responders aren’t dispatched unnecessarily. [Read more…]
Sealing Your Brick Pavers
Sealing your brick pavers is a wise decision. Much like you should weather proof your wood deck with a product like Thompson’s Water Seal, applying a sealant to your brick pavers will help prolong the life of your pavers.
Pavers are an aesthetic material. Functional, yes, however, most people agree that the primary value pavers bring to a home is their visual impact. Sealing pavers helps to add to this value. A sealer will protect them from premature fading due to strong or direct sunlight. You will be able to clean the pavers easier once they have a sealer on them. Water will bead on top of the pavers after a hard rain, just like it beads on your car after you’ve had it waxed. Mold cannot as easily take a foothold in the natural pours of the bricks, as those pours are now sealed. And most significantly, sealer will darken the pavers. When pavers are sealed, they have a wet look to them. Generally, the wet look is very appealing as it makes the rich, vibrant colors of the pavers stand out more prominently. [Read more…]
Brick Driveway Pavers
As an alternative to paving your driveway with concrete, brick driveway pavers offer a viable means of providing a parking and walking space without the need of mortar. Driveway pavers come in a variety of sizes, colors and shapes. If you compare the cost of either hiring a concrete crew to pave your driveway or paving it yourself with buying a number of interlocking driveway pavers, you’ll find the advantage is with the pavers. When you factor in labor, laying brick driveway pavers cost less. [Read more…]
Brick Paver Patterns
Narrow Down Your Style for Brick Walkway or Driveway
When it comes to brick paver patterns for a patio or walkway, there is almost no limit to what can be created. With use of a variety of brick paver colors, and pattern techniques some paving projects become admirable works of art. But even with straightforward common projects such as a paver driveway or a brick paver walkway, the design alternatives can be a bit overwhelming. Here’s how to narrow down the options. [Read more…]
Brick Paver Seating Walls
Maximize Your Outdoor Space with Seating Walls
Unilock retaining wall products are especially great for defining and creating useful outdoor space. Retaining walls allow you to create horizontal space that you normally would not have because of a sloped yard. Whether you’re cutting into an embankment or filling in lower area, gaining that extra space is invaluable. Unilock walls are manufactured to tight tolerances with a high compressive strength concrete often exceeding industry standard specification. This strength, combined with superior engineering and design, will give you the peace of mind that your installation will last for many years to come. [Read more…]
