5 Things to Consider Before Getting a Water Features

Water Features are beautiful additions to any outdoor living space they bring tranquility, add class and increase the overall aesthetic of your outdoor living space. Here are 5 things to consider when you are planning to add a water feature to your outdoor living space. 

1. Type of Water Feature:

There are plenty of different water features that you can add to your outdoor living space: waterfalls, fountains, artificial creeks, water/fire features and much more. Water Features can be tailored made to fit any theme or style of your backyard so that it perfectly compliments the rest of your outdoor living space. 

2. Design:

It is vital that your water feature suits the aesthetics of the rest of your outdoor living space because you want to maintain the aesthetic and feeling of your outdoor living space without making the water feature look out of place. So it is imperative that you think carefully about your existing features and how the water feature you would like to add will look alongside the rest of your existing features.

3. Safety:

Safety is imperative so if you have young or elderly family members it is very important that you have safety in mind when deciding what water feature you’d like in your outdoor living space. If you have small children maybe a large climbable water feature maybe wouldn’t be the best investment. Or if you have elderly people it is important you consider the placement of your water feature as some tend to splash water which can produce a slippery surface. Essentially you shouldn’t just tailor your water feature to the aesthetic of your backyard but also tailor it to the people whom are going to be enjoying it.

4. Longevity:

Durability is an important thing to consider when deciding on your water feature. It is important that your water feature is high quality because you want to make sure it lasts a long time so you can enjoy it for years to come. Which is why it is not only important to make sure your water feature is made of durable material but it is properly maintained. Be sure to talk with your contractor about the proper maintenance steps needed to maintain your water feature so that you can enjoy it for years to come. 

5. Budget:

Make sure you have a firm budget plan for the water feature project so that there is no misunderstanding with your contractor and so that your contractor can present you the best options for you that fall within your budget because you want open dialog with your contractor that way you are not only happy with your water feature but your wallet stays happy because it is nice and full

Do not hesitate to fill out our FREE Estimate form so we can help you come up with a plan for your water feature but also make it a reality.

10 Things You Must Know About Landscaping!

Layout a Plan

Create a plan. There are a lot of things that go into remodeling your landscape so having a plan laid out will allow you nothing is overlooked and keep things organized.

Budget

Budget out what you are willing to spend and then plan your landscaping project according to your budget because you do not want to end up spending unnecessarily and exceeding your budget. Hiring a landscaping professional will help create and keep your landscaping budget so that project stays within budget. 

Understand the Soil Type

An important thing to know is the type of soil in your yard. Understanding the nature of the soil in your yard allows you to plan your landscape project in a way that best compliments the soil making your landscape more sustainable and easier to manage. Understand the nature of the soil and plan your landscaping in a way that best complements the soil. If you lack the knowledge, you might want to seek professional advice.

Understand the Design

Design is the major component to landscaping that will dictate the overall look and feel of your yard. Understanding the dimensions of your yard is vital so you can optimally design your landscape. Figure out the theme you would like your landscape to have so you can figure out which patterns, colors and style are perfect for you and your space.

Softscape

Softscape is the horticultural element of landscaping, which includes flowers, plants, shrubs, trees, etc. Softscape is meant to complement the overall landscape and design of the backyard. There are various design themes when it comes to softscaping including ones that are sustainable, drought tolerant, luxurious, etc. 

Hardscape

Hardscape is the hard landscape element of landscaping, which includes driveways, paved areas, retaining walls, stairs, walkways and any other additions to the landscape that are made of  wood, stones or concrete. Hardscaping, essentially, structures and establishing the general layout of the yard. Hardscaping fundamentally alters the foundation of the yard meaning that the hardscaping needs to be done before the softscaping can be done. 

Appropriate Texture

It is essential to keep in mind the texture you want your landscape to have. The way you achieve having the perfect texture to you is by having the right combination of soft and hard landscaping coupled with the correct color tones.

Choosing the right color combination

Having the right color palette is one of the most important aspects of landscaping. The color palette is vital to accentuate and compliment the other aspects of the landscape like the softscape and hardscape aspect of the landscape design.

Maintenance plan

Maintaining your yard is a given so having a maintenance plan will give you a leg up when the time does come. Keeping a maintenance plan in place will allow you to better care and track the health of your plants. We highly recommend you consult a landscape professional about the maintenance that your yard will require so you can have a detailed idea of what needs to get done. Different plants require different levels and different kinds of maintenance. 

Why you may want to Invest in a Patio over a Deck

There are a multitude of different options when it comes to making ones outdoor space more functional but by far the most popular options are either a patio or a deck. Without a doubt, both patios and decks are wonderful choices if you are looking to create more space in your home for entertaining guests or simply relaxing with the family. Many professionals, however, recommend patios over deck to their clients. Find out why they recommend patios over decks. 

1. Patios are more budget friendly

Patio’s on average cost about $15 for every square foot, while a basic deck using only treated wood will cost on average $30 for every square foot. If however you decide you’d like to use cedar, or mahogany any other high end wood as the basis for you deck the price is about triple the price of the basic deck. 

2. Patios are easier to maintain

Patios are much easier to maintain. Sealing your pavers or deck is vital to protect your investment because both are susceptible to the elements meaning they both require regular maintenance. The difference between pavers and decks is their maintenance schedule, decks need to be resealed every year, while patios need to be resealed every 3 years.  

3. Patios last longer

Pavers are more durable than decks because patios are made from pavers, while decks are made from wood or composites. Pavers are more resistant to the elements unlike wood which is much more susceptible to temperature extremes. Furthermore, patios have an average lifespan of 25 years meaning you will definitely enjoy your patio for a long time with minimal maintenance 

Whether you are in the market for a patio, a deck or are still debating between the two speak to one of our professionals about your project get your dream outdoor entertainment space fill out our FREE Estimate to get started!

5 Reasons Why An Outdoor Kitchen Should Be Your Next Remodel

1. Increases Home Value

Outdoor Kitchens are a great addition to your home if you are looking to increase your home value. Outdoor Kitchens have a high return on investment. According to NAR and NALP, Outdoor Kitchens have about a 70% ROI. NAR and NALP recommend keeping the project simple to best be able to project the ROI.

2. Expand your Communal Space

An Outdoor Kitchen creates an additional space for your family and friends to come together and spend time together without the need for expensive renovations like walls and roofs. 

3. Save Money on your Utility Bill

Cooking / grilling outside allows you to avoid having increasing the internal temperature of your house meaning you will save money from having to overuse your A.C., especially in the summer months. The reason for this is because when you bake, roast, broil or fry food in your interior kitchen it causes the temperature of your house to drastically increase forcing your AC to work that much more to maintain the temperature at your preferred temperature. 

4. Keep the Smell Outside

If you ever had made fish in your kitchen, you are well aware that the fish smell permeates the entire house, these kinds of incidents can be easily avoided by cooking in your Outside Kitchen. Keep your house smelling fresh by cooking outside. 

5. Boost the Entertainment Value of your Home

The biggest plus of having an Outdoor Kitchen is boosting Entertainment value of your home. The inclusiveness of an outdoor kitchen allows you as the host to spend more time with your guests because you aren’t confined in the kitchen alone making the meal, meaning there are more opportunities for memories and fun to be had. 

Whether you need help understanding which kitchen style would be the best fit for you or need help installing your new outdoor kitchen, fill out our contact form to speak to one of our experienced designers and for a FREE estimate.

TOP 2020 Sustainable Landscape Design Trends

Interest in sustainable design and being eco-conscious are both on the rise especially in places where droughts are common like Los Angeles. So we’ve created a list of the top trends in sustainable design for 2020.

Proper Drainage

Proper Drainage is one of the most important factors to keep in mind if you want your outdoor space to be more environmentally friendly. We suggest installing gutters and gutter guards onto your roof top edges this will divert a good deal of the rainwater from your patio and backyard helping prevent rain water from flooding your yard and creating unnecessary runoff. We suggest adding a slotted system for your patio to properly drain the water from your patio. A slotted system is a essentially a long drain that is installed next to your patio to collect the water and properly dispose of it, preventing the water from running off and  polluting public water with debris and toxic pollutants. 

Plants that soak up excess water:

Planting plants such as Boxwoods and Maple trees will help curtail the amount of excess water that your yard gets when it rains. The shrubs and the grass that borders your garden will protect your garden while the roots of the tree will absorb the water. Hence not only are you protecting your softscaping investment but also recycles the water by having the trees soak up the excess water. 

Outdoor flooring and Patios:

If thinking about adding a deck or flooring we suggest using Thermally Modified Wood as the choice of wood for your deck. Thermally Modified Wood decays slower than normal wood because the process of Thermal modification. Through heating the wood to over 185 to 215 degrees fahrenheit the heat removes organic compounds from the wood cells, so it will not absorb water, expand, contract, or provide nourishment for insects or fungi.

The most environmentally friendly option for your Patio is permeable pavers. Permeable Pavers allow for the rainwater to flow through its joints passing through a gravel base that filters out pollutants before the water is able to reach the ground. Meaning your drains will not overflow thus no runoff which carries debris and toxic pollutants to public sewers and public bodies of water.

Sustainable landscape is the all the rage especially here in Los Angeles if you follow a few of these tips your yard will be exponentially more environmentally friendly. If you feel like you would like or need assistance in this endeavor do not fret, simply fill out our FREE Estimate to speak to one of our professionals who will gladly go over with you what the best options for you and your outdoor space and we are a full service Landscape Contracting company so we can take you from design to your dream environmentally friendly backyard.