If you have decided to revamp the landscape surrounding your home, you may be looking to hire a Oakland County landscape designer. Before you do so, you need to be assured that your home will receive custom landscape design. Oakland County homeowners will not want “cookie cutter”-designed landscapes attached to their homes. So you need to be assured that you will receive a custom design. [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…]
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…]
