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April 7, 2010

Incredibly Smart Patio Designs

Filed under: Patio Covers, Patio Installation — Tags: , , , , , , , — Mike @ 1:08 pm

patios_in_atlanta

Your family will spend a lot of time on your patio, entertaining and relaxing. It only makes sense to look into patio designs that will reflect your tastes and lifestyle.

Patio materials are key. Choose something that not only matches the surroundings and size, but works with how you will use the patio. Opt for durability and comfort based on when you will hang out in the backyard.Flagstone is charming and rugged for an earthy, traditional feel. Stamped concrete or geometrical pavers work well in a contemporary setting. Large pavers or stones suit the balance and open feel of a Japanese garden.

Shapes add atmosphere. Sharp corners often give the patio a more modern look, while rounded curves can fit any style of landscape. Consider creating levels or distinct spaces by mixing up shapes – an octagon within a rectangle for example.

Patio designs are often very personal and should be well thought out. You’ll be better able to relax and enjoy a space designed perfectly for your family.

March 2, 2010

Time to Update the Landscaping Around the Patio

Filed under: Landscape Design & Installation, Landscaping/Outdoor, Patio Covers, Patio Installation, Services — Tags: , , , , , , — Mike @ 8:43 am

pavestone_patio

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.

Add Some Heat, Enjoy a New Patio With Fire Pit

Filed under: Firepits, Landscape Design & Installation, Landscaping/Outdoor, Patio Installation, Services — Tags: , , , , — Mike @ 8:31 am

patios

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.

February 22, 2010

Are You Looking to Add Decks or Patios in Atlanta?

Filed under: Atlanta Decks, Atlanta Patio, Decks, Patio Installation, Pavestone, Services, atlanta covered decks, atlanta deck, atlanta deck design, atlanta patio covers, atlanta patios, covered decks in atlanta, decks in atlanta, patios in atlanta — Tags: , , , — Mike @ 2:12 pm

atlanta_patios_decks

Your entire Atlanta yard can be transformed this season. Adding decks or patios in Atlanta will expand your living space outside.

For the best design, optimum installation and worry-free service contact a deck and patio professional today.

Experienced staff will take your yard and family’s needs into account. A perfect design will create wonderful memories. Top of the line materials will last for years, looking as good in a decade as they do today.

Bring your ideas together with the expertise and industry knowledge of an Atlanta deck and patio professional. You won’t be disappointed. Contact us for a free Atlanta deck or patio estimate.

February 16, 2010

Outdoor Living Rooms

Filed under: Covered Decks, Landscaping/Outdoor, Outdoor Fireplaces, Patio Covers, Patio Installation, Pavestone, Services, Water Features — Tags: , , , , , , — Mike @ 2:49 pm

outdoor_living_room

Designating a space as an outdoor living room is a new concept in home design. Our Great-Grandmothers would offer a glass of lemonade “out on the porch”. Our Grandmothers would invite us to sit on the patio and we now entertain on our decks.

Residents of tropical islands have long accepted that space in their homes naturally flows from the inside to the outdoor space. It’s possible the current interest in outdoor living rooms was a logical response to increased popularity of outdoor kitchens.

As gas grills became commonplace, homeowners who loved to entertain replaced the standard outdoor picnic table with stylish patio sets and added a small refrigerator, counter space and perhaps a fire pit or outdoor fireplace to their patio area.

What could be better than adding a sitting area that feels like a real part of the home?
Furniture of bamboo, wicker, resin, redwood or teak began to replace the standard plastic chairs and lawn chairs previously found in outdoor seating areas.

Stylish lockers provided rain-proof storage for outdoor cushions and small tables are conveniently placed for drinks or snacks. Carpeting or rugs designed for outdoor use are available with designs that go far beyond the bright green and lurid blue of previous options. Advances in concrete allow floors of outdoor living room to look and feel like ceramic tile or stone.

Outdoor living areas are more than just a place to sit outside the house on a nice day. Properly designed, they provide a secluded and protected area to enjoy the sounds of a rainy day or stargaze on a chilly night. With comfortable furniture placements that encourage conversation, adjustable lighting and a blazing fire, this is truly a room for living outdoors.

The ultimate outdoor living rooms are perhaps those where the traffic of visitors can flow seamlessly from indoor to outdoor spaces. For those with spacious gardens or pool areas the outdoor living room may be a separate area for relaxing away from the house.

Though usually protected from sun and rain with a roof of some sort, the outdoor living room may be covered with an open pergola or a retractable awning. For ultimate privacy, hanging curtains of canvas or weather resistant fabric may be added to provide ‘walls’ and privacy to the space.

For those in southern states, the outdoor living room is rapidly becoming a large part of family life today. Sitting on a comfortable couch with a gas fireplace on chilly evenings, homeowners find the ultimate in relaxation in their own backyard.

February 2, 2010

Transforming Your Home in Dallas – Dallas Patio Designs and Tips

Filed under: Dallas Patio, Dallas Pavestone, Landscaping/Outdoor, Patio Covers, Patio Installation, Pavestone, Services, dallas patio covers, dallas patios, dallas paver, dallas paver stone, patios in dallas, pavestone in dallas — Tags: , , , — Mike @ 5:14 pm

dallas_patios

To add character and function to your backyard, design and build a unique patio. With your family’s style, needs and space in mind, a professional contractor of patios in Dallas will truly take your yard from the ordinary to the extraordinary.

Decide on the optimum patio size first. Take into consideration your grade, but don’t let that stifle your imagination. Often retaining walls can be incorporated into Dallas patio designs to add usable space in your yard. Looking for different levels of patios? Wide stone steps can direct traffic to and from various paved or stone areas in your yard.

Once you’ve decided on a basic size, consider materials. Are you looking for an old world style? Flagstone and bluestone look gorgeous and the odd shapes lend an aged look to even the newest patios. If contemporary is more your taste, there is an array of choices with interlocking patio stones that can be laid in almost any pattern. Mix and match colors to accentuate patterns and shapes. Think about having a complimentary border around your main patio – grey paver stones with a red stoned border for example. The combinations are almost limitless. Look at your brick or exterior finish to find a patio product that matches or compliments.
Think about the recreational activities your family partakes of in the backyard. Dallas patio designs can accommodate plenty of traffic, but the way your family uses the space should be taken into account. If you frequently entertain, a larger patio with space for the barbeque and even built in seating may be appropriate. A pool will become an intricate part of any patio design and can often dictate what type of materials and shape you end up with.

Experiment with shapes. Patios have the unique ability of being designed with a free flowing shape. Because they are laid onto the ground and not on a frame (such as a deck), patios can incorporate many different forms into one design. Have a rectangular spot for utility beside an oval or kidney shaped patio. Consider connecting circles into the edges of a square patio to provide interest and a geometric feel. Circular patterns can fit right into larger patio designs, as accents or as alcoves.

Remember that for ease of installation, curves should have a specific radius. That is, each curve should be a specific distance from one point – but various curves can be connected together to form a shape. Sweeping lines add a natural feeling to Dallas patio designs.

Take the time to dream and plan for a truly unique patio design. Consider seating and recreation needs, as well as shape, size and materials. For professional Dallas patio designs, contact the experienced staff at EnhanceScape to help you design and create the perfect patio project.

Installing Atlanta Patios Is a Job for the Professional

Filed under: Atlanta Patio, Landscaping/Outdoor, Patio Installation, Pavestone, Services, atlanta patio covers, atlanta patios, patios in atlanta — Tags: , , — Mike @ 5:06 pm

patios_in_atlanta

Many homeowners want the beauty and low maintenance that comes with a well laid patio. For a project that will look good long into the future, turn to the professional installers of Atlanta patios. Do the job the right way, the first time and enjoy your patio for decades.

Once you’ve chosen the size, shape and materials of your Atlanta patio, the real work can begin. Remember that in order for patios to look good for years they need a solid, well laid base or foundation. Often the foundation is a mixture of sand and cement, with a good gravel base for drainage. Limestone dust is available as well, but is generally used for smaller applications. The base acts as a mortar, holding the patio stones in place and allowing them to settle with stability.

If the base underneath your patio is not level, with proper thickness and mixture, your patio will end up heaving, popping and generally becoming unusable over time. The intent of a good patio is to create an even surface that does not allow weeds, small animals or even insects through. While it may not have quite the same strength or durability, think of it like an exterior floor.

Depending on the patio material, you may need grout applied between the stones. This can be sand, stone dust or even traditional mortar (in the case of brick paving projects). Without the proper application of this grout, your patio will end up being a mess and the weather will be able to wear it down faster. At times, a sealer is also applied over the stones (in the case of granite) and that should definitely be done by a professional.

With professionally built patios in Atlanta, incredible features can be incorporated right into your design. Outdoor kitchens, seating and retaining walls can all become part of the overall plan. This will ensure that your patio gives your yard optimum function and beauty. Homeowners may not have the equipment, time and expertise to do larger, more intricate patio projects properly. Build it all and build it right the first time with a professional.

Whether your Atlanta patio project is simple or involved, a design and build company can lend you expertise, advice and quality materials and workmanship. You will be able to leave the heavy lifting and sensitive placement to them, freeing your family up to truly enjoy the patio once completed. EnhanceScape’s experience with many unique Atlanta patios has made them a leader in the industry – put them to work and install the highest quality patio in your yard.

February 1, 2010

Annapolis Patio Ideas Provide a Stylized and Controlled Approach to Outdoor Living

Filed under: Annapolis Patio, Patio Covers, Patio Installation, annapolis patio covers, annapolis patios, patios in annapolis — Tags: , , , — Mike @ 3:00 pm

annapolis_patios

In Annapolis, patio ideas are most often highly structural.  Landscaping is considered an art and patios are carefully thought out designs which are implemented exactly as planned.

Patios in Annapolis are often hardscape designs rather than simply poured concrete slabs.  The use of stone and pavers provides the ability to craft an exact shape for the structure and are often designed to include trees and ornamental shrubs that are already in place.

The patios are shaped by the hardscape in designs that are rectangular, square or round but are often complex plans that include multiple shapes or several circles used to form the architectural feature as a whole. 

 The careful placement of pavers provides the backdrop for the plantings that complete the visual canvas of a well designed Annapolis patio.  Soil must often be amended to support roots of plants in a healthy way and foundation plantings most often strictly follow the lines of the hardscape.  Here and there, the uniform foundation plants are highlighted by small garden areas of specimen plants such as annual flowering varieties.

The patios may be traditional outdoor areas adjacent to the back of the home or may be hardscape around an inground pool with walkways leading from the home.  Curved lines are the most popular choice for many patios in Annapolis.  Although the curve might appear freeform, closer inspection reveals the shapes are always carefully controlled and planned as part of the over all hardscape.  In gardening, freeform indicates a shape that conforms to nature.  Patios in Annapolis most often are meant to look freeform but without the changing form we associate with nature.

Patios in Annapolis often include an area for shelter from wind and rain common to the locale.  Patio covers may be provided as a pergola structure or may be of weather resistant canvas as a retractable awning.  When the patio includes a hot tub it is not unusual to find a small open structure built around the hot tub with canvas walls that can be unfurled to allow use of the hot tub in inclement weather.

For homeowners in Annapolis, patio ideas are often complex hardscape plans that add both value and usability when constructed on their property and become an extension of the living space of their home.

Which Type of Dallas Patio Cover is Right for You?

Filed under: Covered Decks, Dallas Patio, Patio Covers, Patio Installation, dallas patio covers, dallas patios, patios in dallas — Tags: , , , , — Mike @ 7:46 am

Patios_in_Dallas

Which Type of Dallas Patio Cover is Right for You?

There are many options to choose from when deciding on the type of Dallas patio cover that will work best for you. Some of these options include; natural wood, aluminum, acrylic, synthetic wood and fabric. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages so it is important to become familiar with all of the options before making your decision.

Choosing Wood

Natural wood can be a great choice. It provides you with the beauty and elegance of nature without any synthetic materials being used. A wood patio cover will blend into the surrounding and create a nice transition between your indoor living space and the outdoors. There are many options for stains and even paint colors as well. While this may not be a choice for everyone, natural wood may be the right material if you are looking for sophistication and beauty that incorporate natural elements. One disadvantage of natural wood is that it will need to be maintained and treated for termite and weather resistance. If you choose to paint your Dallas patio cover you will need to repaint from time to time as well. If you decide to use natural wood for your patio cover, be sure to find wood that is of high quality that is durable.

Aluminum and Acrylic

If you are looking for an option that is maintenance free consider aluminum or acrylic for your patio cover in Dallas. They are strong and will withstand the environment. Aluminum and acrylic do not need to be treated for weather or insect infestation and because they come prefabricated they will not need to be repainted or stained to maintain their beauty. A drawback to these materials is that they are hard to match to the surroundings. When choosing an aluminum or acrylic patio cover look for one that is sturdy and will last for years to come.

What about Synthetic Wood?

Another option for your Dallas Patio cover is synthetic wood. This option is typically made of acrylic or a material similar to acrylic. They are designed to look like real wood and come in many different stain colors to suit any taste or design preference. Synthetic wood is easy to maintain and can provide a seamless effect of outdoor living. Most homeowners find cost to be a disadvantage to using synthetic wood. Generally this type of patio cover material will need to be enhanced with real wood beams to add strength and durability to the product. This fact can bring up the cost of using this material. If you are looking for a Dallas patio cover material that simulates the look of real wood and is easy to maintain consider synthetic wood.

Fabric

You may want to consider fabric as another option for your Dallas patio cover material. There are many different styles, textures and designs that are available when choosing a fabric patio cover. These types of covers come in many different styles and the options for the material that the cover will be made of is great as well. Fabric has the advantage of being customized to suit any décor. A down side to fabric patio covers is the maintenance and durability. While most fabric patio covers come treated for the elements they are not as durable as other solid materials. If you are considering a fabric patio, look for one that is strong and will stand the test of time.

Dallas patio covers come in many different materials. You may choose natural wood for its beauty, aluminum or acrylic for its easy maintenance, synthetic wood for the realism or fabric for its versatility. Do your research to find a Dallas patio cover that fits your taste, style and budget.

January 29, 2010

Atlanta Patio

Filed under: Atlanta Patio, Patio Installation, atlanta patio covers, atlanta patios, patios in atlanta — Tags: , , , — Mike @ 4:19 pm

atlanta_patios

An Atlanta patio is a great way to add functional living space to your home. It will give you extra space to entertain while bringing beauty to your backyard landscape. Atlanta patios are designed to be used year round with the option of Atlanta patio covers. A patio cover in Atlanta will give you year round access to your patio to entertain and enjoy with friends and family.

EnhanceScape can help you to create the patio of your dreams. We provide expert contractors that are knowledgeable in creating patios in Atlanta. We carefully screen and select our licensed and insured contractors for their commitment to service, integrity and quality. We will work with you in designing, selecting materials and executing your project. We stand behind our service quality with our EnhanceScape Service Guarantee. You will not be asked to pay for your patio until it is complete and you are 100% satisfied with the results.

We offer financing that is fast and easy. We want you to be able to have the patio of your dreams on any budget. EnhanceScape can help you make your dreams of a stunning patio a reality.

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