Custom Patio Blog

Borders and retaining walls help frame your garden plots neatly and prevent soil erosion for slopes. It can also raise your garden plots above level ground for better emphasis. In this blog, we list down 4 materials you can consider when building your borders and retaining walls.

Concrete

You can either have a concrete block or poured concrete for your border or retaining wall. Concrete blocks may be cheaper and faster to assemble than a poured concrete, however it can only be used for walls under 4 feet. The end result can fit a house with Spanish architecture. Meanwhile, for modern houses, poured concrete can be finished to match the smooth and sleek appearance of modern homes with its clean lines and sharp edges. Poured concrete also offers a range of design options and can be molded to suit the landscape needs.

Brick

For homes with a brick facade, it naturally follows that a brick border or retaining wall is preferred. Bricks are known for its strength and durability, easily blending with brick homes and traditional landscapes. While it can be labor intensive requiring an expert stonemason to ensure the bricks are installed properly, you’ll end up with an extremely durable and long-lasting retaining wall. To ensure its longevity, a proper drainage system must also be built along with the retaining wall.

Stone or Boulder

For the rugged chic look, stone or boulders are your number one choice. This natural material looks great in any landscape setting and provides a good frame to any landscape. However, stone or boulders aren’t the most ideal material for high retaining walls as heavy water flow can weaken and dislodge it from its place.

Wood

Another natural option for a border or retaining wall, wood needs special treatments such as waterproofing and preservatives in order to last for decades as a retaining wall. It’s easy to install and may be cheaper than the other options. Wood can also fit and blend into any landscape, making it a very flexible material to work with.

Looking to update your patio, perhaps add a patio cover in the process too? Here are 5 common questions we received about patio and patio cover installations from our clients. Read on and maybe some of your own questions will be answered down below.

Which is better: deck or patio?

It depends on what you value as a homeowner. Are you after the views your outdoors provide? Then a deck will let you enjoy a panoramic view of your surroundings. If you care for some privacy and more functionality independent of the weather, then a covered patio will let you enjoy your patio in any type of weather.

What is the cheapest material to use for a patio?

Concrete is the cheapest material to use for a patio. Your upfront costs for concrete can be as low as $6-10. Concrete is best for high traffic areas such as driveways and pathways. It can also be great for pool areas as it is a permeable patio surface allowing water to drain down to the ground.

What is the cheapest material to use for a patio cover?

A shade sail can be the cheapest material for a patio cover in terms of cost. However, if you’re thinking of the long run, a standard patio cover well-built may be worth its upfront costs as your maintenance and replacement costs balance out. Plus a standard patio cover will help you maximize the use of your patio cover throughout the year.

What is the cheapest way to add real estate value to my home?

Adding a patio cover instantly transforms your outdoor patio into an outdoor room, porch, or receiving area. The costs are minimal, but the returns keep on giving as you add another feature for your home.

How high should a patio cover be?

The standard height for patio covers is 12 feet at the top with clearance for height at 6 feet 8 inches. This clearance is measured from the patio cover ceiling to the floor of your patio.

An outdoor fireplace is a great focal point for your outdoor area, be it a deck or covered patio. It draws people in and keeps them closer together. Now if you’re still planning getting a custom fireplace installed, you might have a question or two in your mind. In this blog, we try to give light to some of your outdoor fireplace questions. Read on and see whether we’ve answered your questions below.

Where should an outdoor fireplace be placed?

An outdoor fireplace is best placed 10 to 20 feet away from your house, your neighbor’s fence and any flammable material which can include low hanging branches, hedges, and shrubs.

Which direction should a fireplace face?

It is recommended to have the fireplace face against the wind’s general direction to keep it continuously lit without having sparks be carried away by the wind.

How big should an outdoor fireplace be?

An outdoor fireplace should be relative to the outdoor area it will warm up. To be sure of the fireplace size, consult contractors so the size will be measured according to your outdoor area.

How tall should an outdoor fireplace’s chimney be?

An outdoor fireplace’s chimney height depends on the fireplace box size. The shortest chimney height is 13 feet starting from the firebox. However, a chimney height is also subject to building codes of your area or neighborhood. To be sure, it’s best to consult a verified contractor who has done work in your area as they will have the latest information on building codes and requirements.

What is the best material for an outdoor fireplace?

Any heat-resistant material can be used to create a custom outdoor fireplace. This includes brick, concrete and cement blocks. It can also be a combination of these heat-resistant materials.

Did we answer your outdoor fireplace questions? Do you have more questions about installing a customized outdoor fireplace? Send us a message and we’ll be glad to answer all of your questions. Feel free to ask for a quote too!

As Ultimate Gray becomes one of the colors of the year this 2021, we expect concrete patios to continue to be a popular choice for many homeowners looking for a patio surface. Concrete patios offer that sleek modern design with sharp edges and smooth surfaces. Aside from these qualities, concrete’s malleability also allows stonemasons to mold and stamp it in a variety of faux finishes. Find out a range of faux finishes and see which one suits your patio.

Faux Flagstone

If having both flagstone and concrete for your patio is out of the budget, your concrete can be finished with a faux flagstone design. Done by creating irregular shapes to mimic the shape of a flagstone, it can then be stained in a variety of colors to mimic a flagstone. This finish is perfect for a walkway or sidewalk.

Wood Finish

If bare concrete for a patio surface will look jarring against your home’s wooden exteriors, you can have your concrete patio finished with a wooden look. There are 3 ways to create a wooden look, either by stamping, scoring and staining, or imprinting real wood to achieve its grainy surface.

Paver-like Look

Bare concrete when waxed and polished can be a tad too smooth and slippery especially for an area with high foot traffic. With this in mind, a paver finish with its straight lines and grooves can provide enough friction to make the surface less slippery. The paver patterns can also be stained in different colors to achieve a colorful pattern that’ll certainly add a flash of color and interest in your patio area.

Artistic Décor

Concrete can also be a great canvas to display unique floor art like streams, carpets, and even various scenes in life and nature. Skilled contractors can also create a work of art out of your concrete patio surface. Whether it’s a Persian rug design or mimicking a gentle stream, concrete can transform and showcase these designs.

A pergola is a perfect cover for your summer spot but when the holidays come, it can look lonely and drab by itself. Wondering how you can make your pergola display the festive spirit of the holidays? Here are some ideas you may find interesting and easy to assemble.

Hang some fresh wreaths and boughs from its beams.

Create interest for your pergola by hanging these holiday creations, handmade or store-bought, at different heights to add a whimsical element to your pergola beams. If you can incorporate some holiday scented pinecones or air fresheners in the wreaths or boughs, even better.

Trade the usual lights for Christmas lanterns or string lights.

Whether it blinks with consistency, lights up in a pattern, or flashes merrily as if in a dance, these holiday lights definitely make your pergola spot inviting at night.

Dress the spot as a nativity scene.

For Christians, the holidays are definitely a holy time to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. If you are in a highly creative mood, why not recreate the barn where Jesus was born right in your pergola? Some bales of hay, a great dose of inventiveness to use what’s in your storage or house for the animals and you’d have a unique nativity scene. While accuracy is appreciated, the thought and care you put in it will certainly manifest.

Host Santa’s sled atop your pergola.

Santa’s sled right in your gazebo may be the usual thought but wouldn’t it put more smiles if you had Santa’s ride park mistakenly on top of your pergola. Since real sled with gifts might be hard to come by or too heavy for the structure, try mounting a cutout board instead with boxes wrapped as gifts. Don’t forget to give it some spotlight or line it up with glow-in-the-dark stickers.

While a patio facing the sunrise or sunset is a great spot for either breakfast or relaxation, too much sun in the middle of the day shortens the hours you get to enjoy your patio. With these 3 patio shade screen options, reclaim your patio once again and feel free to stay even in the middle of the day!

Patio Umbrella
A simple but sturdy patio umbrella can already make your patio space welcoming and hospitable even in glaring sunlight. It’s better to choose an umbrella that can be angled to block the sun’s rays all throughout the day. While most umbrella have stands in the center, some do come in cantilever fashion that gives you more space instead of working with the umbrella stand in the midst of your patio.

Shade sail
A shade sail is a fabric type of patio cover that can protect the expanse of your patio. Available in a wide range of colors, a shade sail blocks a good amount of sunlight while letting the breeze pass through easily. Most shade sails are also manufactured to bring UV protection so that you get all the benefits of the sunlight without harming your skin. It’s also a flexible shade option since you can easily unhook it from its post when the night comes for some stargazing!

Outdoor canopy
An outdoor canopy fully transforms your bare patio into an outdoor room, propped up by 4 poles sometimes equipped with mesh screens for insects and privacy curtains. Some even allow for you to hang lights from the ceiling. The strength of an outdoor canopy lies in its poles so make sure it’s something that can withstand strong winds or heavy rain.

These three patio shade options give you the convenience of staying in your patio while also giving you the flexibility of having a completely open outdoor area when needed.

As the sun sets earlier and the wind gets colder, keep enjoying your patio stay this fall season and stay warm with these 5 tips.

1. Bring out the lights.
   The season’s leaves aren’t the only ones turning brighter; your outdoor patio can shine, too. Turn on your ambient lights and see your outdoors in a new perspective. Hang some patio string lights for a festive and party atmosphere; install ground lights to highlight interesting focal points such as planters or fountains; or line pathways and tree trunks.
2. Light up the fire pit.
   As the temperatures drop and the wind brings in the chill, you might not be as enthusiastic about spending late hours in your outdoor rooms. However, a fire pit providing enough heat for your outdoor living room, kitchen or dining room can change all that. Keep the fire’s height and strength controlled and your outdoor comfort will be the same as your indoors.
3. Add shawls, quilts, and blankets for extra warmth.
   While the fire pit can do its job giving off heat, it’s still needs a bit of help especially when the chill of the winds sweep in. So, keep a shawl around your shoulders or share a blanket with a loved one for extra warmth. Sit on quilts for extra comfort and enjoy stargazing and each other’s company as the season passes by.
4. Put up windscreens.
   If the winds are too strong that it blows out your fire pit, install windscreens in the general direction of the wind’s origin. You can have a lattice wall, burlap or willow twig to keep the fire going. This will also keep your fire’s embers from being blown away to nearby flammable or combustible materials and prevent fire accidents.
5. Keep that mug of hot cocoa brewing.
   Aside from smores slowly roasting, you can always have a hot cup of your favorite cocoa or tea beside you. Nothing like a hot drink to keep you warm on the inside while the fire pit, lights, and blankets keep you warm on the outside.

Outdoor kitchens have long since evolved from having a grill set up to something that has transformed your outdoor space into great spot for cooking, dining, and entertaining. In this blog, we’ll give you 5 factors to consider for your outdoor kitchen.

Function
While the outdoor kitchen is more than just having your grill and some counterspace for food preparation, outdoor kitchens have certainly evolved to include a host of other cooking needs. From minibars to cold storage, even a cleanup area, outdoor kitchens are now more customized to include vital preferences for the owner.

Location
Outdoor kitchens are usually located and connected to the main house. This makes it easier for the builders to connect the outdoor kitchen features like the grill or sink to the utility lines. The proximity also makes it easier for the movement of the ingredients and other necessities from the main house to the outdoor kitchen.

Dining area
Part of what makes outdoor kitchens great is that you can cook and entertain at the same time. Choose a space where you can easily interact with your family and friends even when you’re facing the grill. Also consider a seating area which can easily be rearranged to give enough room for people.

Covered space
While it is an outdoor kitchen, there are times when you’d still love grilling even when it rains. This is why a patio cover, whether fixed or movable, should be considered. It can be a simple umbrella that can be folded when not in use, shades which can be drawn when the sun is blazing or a patio cover that’s an extension of your roofline.

Lights
It’s important to have the right lighting in the right spaces. Put task lights near your grill and counterspace. Meanwhile, ambient lights will help set the mood over your dining area. The right lights will set the mood and give you a great outdoor kitchen and dining experience, something that can even beat al fresco restaurants!

You want to upgrade your backyard and maximize its use for your own enjoyment. However, the upkeep in terms of effort and cost might
Here are 5 ways to create a low maintenance backyard that will suit your style and budget.

1. Choose plants native to your area.
   This ensures your plants will thrive with minimal care and maintenance. Even those who claim to not have a green thumb will find it hard to kill a plant that naturally grows and thrives in your locality. It’s also a bonus that you’re helping in letting natural plant species thrive.
2. Lose the lawn.
   Lawn maintenance can easily eat away at your landscaping budget. Instead of high maintenance grass varieties, install a patio surface that will last longer and need minimal upkeep. You can have pavers or flagstones with pea gravel in between.
3. Install artificial grass.
   If you really love a green lawn but hate the maintenance part of it, put artificial grass instead. Recent varieties have looked much better and closer to a live lawn than its older counterparts. And if viewed from afar, only an expert can tell the difference. And the great thing about artificial grass is that while it will still need cleaning, it surely won’t die on your watch.
4. Consider xeriscaping or fire-scaping.
   A xeriscape is a landscape design that uses fire-proof plants which require little to no amount of water. Most of these plantings come from native species and highly adaptive imported ones. Not only do you get a colorful landscape, you’ll also protect your property from fire.
5. Choose evergreens and perennials.
   These plants thrive all year round and fill your yard with flowers every year without fail. Perennials don’t also need to be replanted. They mostly require trimming and watering.

If a painting has a frame, a landscape has a border. It keeps everything in its rightful place and provides direction on how to take in the scenery of a yard. Here are 5 examples of great borders that not only protect the curb but also elevate its appeal.

Raise your curb appeal literally with borders that catch a passersby’s eye. It keeps your front yard plants well within the space it’s allotted and prevents it from invading lawn space. Borders also make everything look neat and organized.

Borders do not exist in simple, straight lines and edges. You can also create unique geometric patterns that give a different edge to your border and plot. Recycle broken pavers, flagstones, and other patio surface material you have to achieve this geometric design.

Not only does this fortified border keep the trees root system from jutting out unevenly and ruining the smooth pavement, it also raises this section as a good focal point. Without the circular border, this section will simply blend with the landscaped yard and fail to hide the retaining wall behind it.

Small pocket gardens benefit the most from borders, be it brick, concrete, or in this case, a row of small landscape boulders. What was a small garden nook with no defined space has now become an established area in the corner of your pool.

Another clever use of small boulders in a garden strip by the pool, these rocks will not only deflect treated water from being absorbed by the plants. It’s also a good deterrent against unwanted traffic.

Borders do not only contribute to the aesthetic appeal of your gardens and flowering plots. It also keeps your garden in shape, literally and prevent invasive species from dominating the landscape. See more of our border projects in our photo gallery.