Category Archives:
Power on the patio
Here’s how to juice up your patio for family and friends. Patios and pool decks aren’t simply for sunbathing. Parties, family meals, work sessions, movies and more all happen out there, too. These days, outdoor electrical outlets, charging stations, wifi, sound and media devices are must-haves for many homeowners. Unfortunately, most houses were built well
https://ephenry.com/power-on-the-patio/Patio Planning: Tips from your area expert
Planning an outdoor space begins with an idea. A fun picnic on a friend’s Hardscape or a relaxing time at a poolside bar on vacation inspires us to recreate those feelings in our own backyards. So you want an outdoor space. What’s the next step in the planning process? “We tell our customers to look
https://ephenry.com/patio-planning-tips-from-your-area-expert/Cast Veneer fireplace design tips
The key in designing an outdoor hearth is choosing the stone that makes it sing. A fire pit has its place, but an outdoor hearth makes an outdoor home. If you’re looking to add a fireplace to your hardscape, a few tips from the design world can help you choose the Cast Veneer Stone (CVS)
https://ephenry.com/cast-veneer-fireplace-design-tips/Drip, drip: Drop an efficient, money-saving watering system into your landscape
Lush gardens are a wonder to behold. We all love seeing those rows of plants spring up and watch veggies grow big, not to mention seeing the joyous colors of the season in the delicate flower petals we’re lucky enough to enjoy. All of this takes work, of course, but for many gardening is a
https://ephenry.com/drip-drip-drop-efficient-money-saving-watering-system-landscape/Welcome to the Stone Age
A very, very long time ago, during the pre-historic age, humans figured out that stone had many uses in their world. This abundant natural resource was used for many things, such as: furniture, cutting tools, and weapons. Not only did they use it to build walls for shelter and fortification, they used smaller stones (like
https://ephenry.com/blog-2014-november-welcome-to-the-stone-age/Punctuate your patio with texture: Add visual and tactile interest to your Hardscape
There are many elements to interior design. Color, light, lines, shapes (forms) and texture are all applied principles of design that are immediately noticeable in a room. These principles also apply when building and decorating exterior rooms. One design element that is often overlooked on the patio is texture. “Texture” is a visual as well
https://ephenry.com/blog-2017-november-punctuate-your-patio-with-texture-add-visual-and-tactile-interest-to-your-hardscape/Grass tech fills in the gaps: Synthetic turf and patio pavers
Artificial grass has come a long way. It’s not the fake grass made of sharp bright green plastic found in the cheesy store displays of yore. If you are looking for a great-looking, low-to-no maintenance solution for your landscape, you may want to give synthetic grass another look. The new artificial grasses can fool the
https://ephenry.com/blog-2017-october-grass-tech-fills-in-the-gaps-synthetic-turf-and-patio-pavers/Building Blocks for Grownups: A DIY guide to building your own fire pit
If you spent time as a kid creating structures with Legos, you may have the skills to build a permanent fire pit in your backyard. We’ve laid it all out for the home hardscaper. Getting something done on your own brings a unique and cherished sense of accomplishment. Don’t shy away from a fire pit
https://ephenry.com/blog-2017-september-building-blocks-for-grownups-a-diy-guide-to-building-your-own-fire-pit/Renew, refresh or replace? Paver answers for a perfect patio
Time heals all wounds, but time and Mother Nature can leave their marks on your pavers. There are handy tricks to freshen up the look of your sturdy, steady patio pavers. Many of the questions we get about pavers have to do with cleaning them. Usually a gentle rinse down with a hose will be
https://ephenry.com/blog-2017-september-renew-refresh-or-replace-paver-answers-for-a-perfect-patio/Anticipate the roadblocks your contractor may encounter
Getting a patio or pool installed is a major project. Here’s what your contractor wants you to know about the common problems workers face when construction begins. Good communication is the best skill a homeowner can bring to a project. Many difficulties can be avoided when both the homeowner and the contractor are aware of
https://ephenry.com/blog-2017-june-anticipate-the-roadblocks-your-contractor-may-encounter/