If you are thinking about installing landscape lighting there are a few things to consider.
Night lighting that highlights your house and landscape is one of the most popular landscape innovations. Not only does it look great, but it increases home security. And new fluorescent and LED lighting options mean using less electricity. LEDs even come in multiple colors, adding variety to your nightscape.
Check out our top 10 reasons to install landscape lighting.
Contact EnhanceScape for a landscape lighting design and free landscape lighting estimate.
If your home project this year is to build a new deck in Atlanta, you will find a lot of new materials available for construction. Wood (especially Cedar) is still the traditional choice, but composite decking is gaining popularity.
Composites are uniform in appearance with no natural challenges such as knots or warping to worry about. Composite decks in Atlanta is a great choice if you are building a deck around your pool or spa and is well suited to a contemporary home design.
However, composite decking may fade over time and, though constructed of recycled materials, the products do not break down in landfalls when they are discarded.
Wood is still the most popular deck material. It just looks and feels like a real deck and has warmth that composite decking lacks. If you choose the right wood, decks in Atlanta can last as long as a composite deck. With proper maintenance a wood deck will age gracefully and become more attractive over time.
The choice of wood or composite decking is nothing more than preference and budget. Each has appealing features so it’s only a matter of deciding which features are best for your Atlanta decks project.
Contact EnhanceScape for a free estimate for your new deck in Atlanta.
The variety of deck and covered deck options in Atlanta is limited only by a homeowner’s imagination. Outdoor living is a fact of life in the mild Georgia climate and decks, as well as covered decks, are well used for parties, barbecues and just relaxing.
For many years, decks were built routinely with lumber and the space underneath the deck could be used only for items that could survive the dampness of the ground under the deck and the water that flooded that area during the many heavy rains. This was lost space especially for a home with a high deck. Today, high end decks in Atlanta may be built with drainage systems that are attached just underneath the deck flooring. This diverts water from the area under the deck allowing the homeowner to add a concrete or paver patio below a high deck.
Many decks in Atlanta are built not with wood but with alternative materials. This allows homeowners to enjoy their deck for years without the refinishing often required to maintain decks built with wood. The building materials carry long warranties and though the expense is higher than that of building a wood deck, the deck will still look new and be sturdy and attractive year after year.
One of the most popular deck options in Atlanta is the installation of decorative railing. Standard wood posts are often replaced with stainless steel rails, glass panels and even steel cables. Specialty companies offer over 300 styles of deck railing systems with decorative post caps of copper, stained glass and other visually appealing materials.
For new installations or for an addition to an existing outdoor living area, deck options in Atlanta often include sophisticated lighting. Both low and high voltage light systems are available for use out of doors. One popular style is a solar powered light designed to look like a lantern. This new product is attached to the top of the support members of the deck railing. For decks with steps leading down to the lawn, step lights are often installed to prevent accidents after dark.
Decks in Atlanta are changing to reflect the growing popularity of the green movement. Many of the newer building products designed for use in decking are recycled or made of renewable resources. The focus on providing green solutions as an environmentally sound deck option in Atlanta has the bonus of adding new designs and materials that keep Atlanta decks looking new many years longer than can be expected of older wooden styles.
For the best choice in retaining wall ideas look to the natural beauty of stone in many forms. For a rustic, old world feel stacked flagstone walls are timeless and match many different landscapes. Incorporate a flagstone patio or walkway to tie it all in.
Brick retaining walls are popular, come in wide variety of colors and work especially well in small scale projects. Along a driveway or as a garden edger, brick retaining walls are a good option.
Pavestone and concrete blocks offer the beauty of natural stone with the stability and durability of engineered design. Many are especially made for retaining wall blocks and are easy to install. Pavestone and concrete blocks come a wide variety of retaining wall options, including texture, shape and color. Choose the style that suits your landscape.
Traditional or contemporary, there are retaining wall options for almost any taste and budget.
Designed for durability and simple installation, paver stone walkways can deliver so many benefits to your home.
Spruce up the front yard with a clean, attractive paver stone walkway. It will instantly add a sense of style to your home’s entrance and can be designed to fit any situation.
To direct flow conveniently, the beauty of paver stone walkways is unmatched. For small or large projects, with traditional or contemporary styling, there are paver stones that will work for the project.
Simple to install and designed to last for years, paver stone walkways add style and convenience to any application in the front, side or rear yard of your home.
If you’re looking for an outdoor patio design in Dallas that’s timeless, flagstone can’t be beat. The coloring is unique in each stone, giving every project a distinct look. Sizes and shapes of flagstone also differ and from patio to walkway this material will add elegance to your yard.
Be sure to have Dallas flagstone patio professionally designed and installed to ensure stability and quality that will last for a lifetime. As this material is substantial, it needs to be handled and installed with a proper base using reliable equipment.
Natural, classy and strong - flagstone patios work well in every Dallas landscape.
Every yard needs a shady place for relaxation and refreshment. Cover the deck or patio with one of many options to create that perfect spot out of the sun.
Pergolas and arbors work well in any patio or deck design. Pergolas can be designed with wide, airy openings or a tight weave. Posts and beams can be decorative and add class and unique touches to your patio design. Columns can also be incorporated to take arbors and pergolas beyond the ordinary.
Grow vines and climbing plants into the pergola or arbor slats for an eco friendly roof that will provide shade in the growing season and let the sunshine through while dormant.
Covered roofs are excellent for complete shade and precipitation protection. Imagine the bliss of rocking on a porch swing on your covered deck – relaxation at its finest.
When you need shade, turn to a design that will cover the deck or patio and compliment your landscape. Take your patio to the next level.
How do you know when it’s time to update the landscaping around your patio?
If the plantings are leggy and invading the stones or wood structure of the patio, trimming and updating are needed. Every garden can benefit from an overhaul, adding nutrient rich soil, new plants and a healthy layer of mulch.
If the drainage is becoming a problem, leaving puddles or causing heaving of the patio, the landscaping needs repairs. Contact a drainage professional and discuss the idea of retaining walls or permanent drains around the patio.
Repairs to the patio or deck may leave the landscaping trampled or the lawn and plants damaged. Take the time to update the landscaping while repairing or expanding the patio.
Whatever the reason, when it’s time to update the landscaping around the patio, your yard will appreciate the necessary facelift.
For the ultimate in outdoor comfort, be sure to leave room for a new patio with fire pit in your yard. The sunny days of summer will be stretched even longer when you can enjoy time around the fire with family and friends.
Fire pits can be built directly into the patio, sunken or simply surrounded by a raised patio. Portable fire pits or fire bowls can also be installed right onto the surface of a patio.
Look for fire pits that are wood-burning or run on natural gas. Always be sure to check for the local fire codes and build your patio with fire pit to follow NFPA safety standards. Check with a professional contractor and choose the model and installation that works well for your yard.
Then sit back, relax and enjoy the beauty of the flames this season.
To improve the function and appearance of your yard, tap into the numerous retaining wall benefits. Not just for commercial use, retaining wall blocks will make your yard easier to maintain and better to live in.
For erosion control, nothing beats a solid retaining wall. Good retaining wall design can add terraced gardens and built in seating to the benefits. Choosing a material that compliments the landscape will ensure your wall is seamlessly incorporated into the beauty of the yard.
Retaining walls can improve drainage and soil conditions as well as direct traffic. They add needed stability and support for many larger projects like pools, patios and driveways. For an attractive and usable yard, consider the many benefits of retaining walls.
