Best Patio Designs for 2013

As we say goodbye to 2012 and make way for 2013, most people are thinking about new beginnings and fresh ideas for their homes. What are your landscape and design goals for the upcoming year?

A popular trend from the last couple of years that is sure to carry over into 2013 is an emphasis on outdoor living. In many areas, as winter turns to spring, homeowners are integrating their indoor and outdoor living spaces in order to take advantage of the nice weather and to save money. One way to do this is by creating a new patio or expanding your existing one.

Some great examples of popular deck and patio designs incorporate elements such as:

·  Outdoor kitchens

·  Formal dining and seating areas

·  Retractable doors between the house and the patio or deck

·  Patio covers or enclosed patios

What are some benefits of these types of patio designs? They offer comfort and privacy, first and foremost. There are several other advantages, as well:

1) They save you money. With versatile kitchen and dining options, more people are cooking and eating their meals at home, which is usually cheaper than dining out.

2) Increasingly, people are discovering the joys of “staycations” and relaxing at home. Rather than traveling long distances for vacations, staying home helps you avoid travel costs and the general hassles of planning a trip.

3) When you integrate your indoor and outdoor living areas, you have more usable space. Multi-generational families, for example, can benefit from having more breathing room and living space that they can enjoy together.

4) Your options are limited only by your imagination! For instance, your outdoor kitchen and dining space could range from a simple grilling area to a more elaborate, gourmet set-up, according to your preferences. You might prefer a small and intimate space, or a patio large enough to entertain large groups.

Designing and landscaping outdoor patios is one of our specialties. If you live in Washington, DC, Chevy Chase, Bethesda, Silver Spring, or Potomac, contact us today, and we’ll help you create a unique and beautiful outdoor living space.

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Increase Your Curb Appeal with Creative Landscaping Designs

Good landscaping can be a pleasure for homeowners. It makes your home more attractive and can solve problems like drainage and soil erosion to boot. But perhaps the biggest boon of good landscaping is the financial one - Angie's List estimates that good landscaping can boost your home's value by 7 to 14 percent.

So if you're looking to sell your home, you might want to think about how the outside of your house reflects on your home's condition. But how do you know if your yard is adding to your house's value, or taking away from it? And how can you tell what you should try to do yourself, and when to hire a pro?

The first thing to consider is when you're looking to sell. If you want to be out by next month, now is not the time to start a huge project. You should focus on cutting back shrubs and trees, properly applying mulch, and maybe adding some blooming flowers to your garden spaces. Don't go overboard, and don't spend too much. Just make sure your lawn looks cared-for and loved, not neglected.

If you have time, though, a good landscaping project can return most or all of its investment. Additions like patios, decks, fences and firepits can create an "outdoor room" for your house that is both appealing and valuable. Remember that if you're planting, the vegetation will need time to grow and space to flourish in. Don't think this is going to be instant gratification.

And if you're wondering whether to go DIY or to hire a service, again, consider your time and your goals. You can probably handle some trimming and minor planting yourself. But if you're doing a major project, pro landscapers can help create landscaping designs that are engaging and that feel like a natural extension of your home.

If you live in Chevy Chase, Bethesda, or Northwest DC, and you want to know more about how landscaping projects can increase your home's value, contact us and let us help you.

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Walkway in Bethesda, Maryland

 

 

The masonry division at Johnson’s Landscaping is dedicated to improving the outdoor living experience for our clients. From traditional steps and walkways, to elegant patios and stone walls, our masons pride themselves on implementing your design to perfection. 

For this particular project, Johnson’s designed a walkway and pond to blend well with the existing stone arbor. 

For more information about a beautiful custom walkway for your home, call Johnson’s Landscaping at 301-740-8850.

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This September, folks in Northwest DC and Montgomery County, MD have experienced some incredible rain storms, and this brings on damage and erosion, and often issues of landscape drainage.  Coupled with the rains we always know we’ll be getting come Springtime, now is a great time to learn more about these common concerns.  The experts at Johnson’s Landscaping Service, Inc. know all about these problems, so read on to learn more!

 

Here are some solutions for rain and erosion:

·      Connecting your current gutter system to new drainpipes running underneath the ground and away from the house.

·      Building a retaining wall with drainage installed behind the wall.

·      Installing ground cover (which is great to mitigate against erosion!), such as pachysandra, periwinkle, or ornamental grass

·      Installing hillside boulders in between planting to mitigate against erosion and add natural beauty to your slope.

·      Installing channel drains and/or catch basins to catch the running water and direct it to connecting pipes running underground and away from the house.

·      Installing a sump pump connected to your drainage system for the water that is difficult to move away from the house.

·      Directing the water to a dry well in the back yard.  In essence, a dry well is a large hole filled with gravel which receives the water from the house and allows the water to dissipate through the ground, with no resulting erosion issues.  Oftentimes, the drywell is covered with soil and sod, so it is not apparent in the landscape.

·      Installing a dry creek river rock bed to allow the water to flow through potential erosion areas.  This river rock bed supports the mitigation of erosion and is aesthetically pleasing.

 

Have questions about erosion and your yard? Give Johnson’s Landscaping Service, Inc. a call at 301-740-8850 to learn about solutions for rain and erosion in Northwest, Washington, DC and Montgomery County, Maryland.

A Bethesda Home Uses Hillside Planting & Boulders

and a River Rock Dry Creek Bed to Address Erosion

 

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In addition to exterior lighting, adding a dashing outdoor fireplace will help you extend the beautiful fall season.  Keep warm outdoors and provide a center for entertaining guests in your own backyard. Social and family gatherings find a new, special place on your outdoor patio.

Outdoor Fireplace built by Johnson's Landscaping in Chevy Chase, MD

 

 

For more information about an outdoor fireplace for your home, call Johnson’s Landscaping at 301-740-8850.

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Want to have a great looking, low maintenance yard, while simultaneously supporting the Chesapeake Bay watershed?
 

Bayscaping is a method to landscape a commercial or residential property that provides habitat for local and migratory animals, improves water quality, and reduces the need for chemical herbicides and pesticides.
 
Bayscaping is valuable to the homeowner because it offers greater visual interest than lawn, reduces time and expense of maintaining a lawn, and addresses problem areas.
 
The principles of bayscaping includes the reduction of watering, chemical use, water runoff, and maintenance. It emphasizes the use of plants that are native to the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Native plants are adapted to our soil, temperature, and rainfall conditions. After initial installation, native plants are virtually maintenance free. When a bayscape is designed properly, it can be aesthetically pleasing, drought resistant, and low maintenance.
 
If you are interested in a drought resistant and low maintenance landscape, please contact one of Johnson's Landscaping Service, Inc.'s professionally trained landscape designers to guide you through the design process.

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When deciding which contractor will install your paver patio, driveway, or walkway, consider a number of factors.

Be sure to ask the contractor’s representative about the past performance of the company with regard pavers, and ask for client referrals as well.  Make certain that the pictures provided are pictures resulting from the actual work of the contractor.  Every contractor has catalogues of EP Henry or Belgard installed pavers, and those are very necessary for clients to decide type and color of their pavers.  However, ensure that on their website and in their portfolios they provide pictures of actual work.

Another differentiating factor is whether or not the contractor is “certified” through the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute.  The paver installers at Johnson’s Landscaping Service, Inc. went through days of classroom and hands-on training at the institute, culminating in an assessment at the end of the class.  Depending on the results of this assessment, the installers are certified through the institute.  The company then chooses to become part of the institute, thereby ensuring that any future paver installations will be according to the code and standards set by the institute.

By ensuring your contractor is a certified paver installer, you are ensuring that your patio, driveway, and walkway will be built right, and built to last.

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By Ryan Sarvis

So you want to build a retaining wall in your yard?  There are many things to consider, including the type of stone, size of the wall, size of the footings, drainage, and the need for permitting, to name a few.   Here are the steps homeowners and contractors can take together to build a long lasting, aesthetically pleasing retaining wall.

There are a variety of materials to choose from when deciding to build a retaining wall. We in Maryland have an advantage because some of the best natural stone available is quarried in our own back yard.  Carderock is quarried and processed locally in Potomac, MD near River Road and Seven Locks Road.

                The advantage of using our native stone is that the color, texture, and size vary and no two stones are the same. The blues, grays, browns, and greens in the Carderock ages gracefully in any setting.  The classic appeal of Carderock conveys strength and beauty unmatched by none.

                There are two types of retaining walls that can be built with Carderock, dry stack and veneered walls.  A dry stack wall is one where we do not use mortar to adhere the stones together. The stone used is usually flat so it stacks better.  However, many of our customers' favorite walls are built with veneer stone.

The process for building a veneer wall starts with excavation for a "footing" or base of the wall. The size of the footing will grow depending on the height of the wall; however, it is important to check local building codes and permitting requirements prior to building the footers.   At Johnson's, we always expect our walls to meet or exceed local codes and regulations.  Our footings, for example, typically are reinforced concrete with rebar to tie the wall and footing together.  

Next we build an 8" cinderblock wall on top of the footing. At the time of the block wall's construction we install 1-2" pvc pipe passing through the wall for the drainage system. We then take the veneer stone and our expertly trained stonemasons "work the stone" for the best face and corners of the stone. High strength mortar is used to adhere the stone to the block wall. The purpose of working the stone is to have a final product that has small joints between the stone for a seamless appearance.

The top of the wall can be given a natural cap. A natural cap is a finished cap that matches the face of the wall, only with larger stones. By far our customer's favorite type of cap is flagstone. For the best appearance a thick Pennsylvania Blue Flagstone can be installed.  These caps will hang the wall's face by an inch, and add a great finish to the wall.

                The biggest enemy of retaining walls no matter the material is the natural elements. Water is the most destructive of them all. Hydrostatic pressure is the force exerted by water behind a wall that pushes on it. A properly constructed wall with correct "back filling" is a wall will last many generations. When the construction of the wall is near completion, a drainage system is installed behind it. This system has three main components - a perforated pipe, gravel back fill, and landscaping fabric.

 

The pipe is used to collect and direct water away from the wall. The gravel offers free movement of water behind the wall, therefore reducing the hydrostatic pressure. The landscape fabric is used to isolate the gravel from the existing soil and ensure that the drain pipe runs clear and does not become choked with silt in the future.  Also, any excess water that does not enter the pipe travels down and passes through the pvc weep holes and exits at ground level in the front of the wall.     

 

 

 

 

Through training and experience of our stonemasonry crews bring a passion for the highest quality product to your project. Our crews' produce some of the most enduring and beautiful walls in the area.

 

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How to Choose a Landscape Contractor
by Jamie Newell

         A landscape company that has a design staff is the best way to approach any landscape project. If you need something small like drainage and grading or a larger project such as an outdoor entertainment area, it is always a good idea to talk to a designer first. By consulting with an experienced designer, you will have the advantage of seeing the big picture. This will ensure that the completed task will fit nicely with the rest of your garden.

         A design/build company will provide strong communication between the designer who made the arrangements and the workers who will install the project. If something unforeseen should arise, the designer can make on site changes to the project without delaying the job. There is nothing more frustrating than having two different companies blaming each other for something that was overlooked.

         The first challenge is to find a good designer with a solid company to back them up. You might start by asking a friend or neighbor with a nice garden whom they would recommend. After you have chosen a well established company, it would be wise to see examples of their work and check their references. Stay away from a salesperson that is high pressure or doesn't spend time exploring different options with you. Choose someone who listens to your needs, asks the right questions, and understands the problem. Look for a designer that can communicate their ideas well.

         The next step depends on the nature of the project. If it's a small or simple job a well written proposal is important to be sure everything discussed is included. If the job is large or complicated have a design prepared. A professional drawing may add cost but it can save a lot of headaches down the road. Whether you get a full scale rendering or a quick sketch, make sure the plan solves the problem and will look nice from season to season.

         Once you have a qualified designer backed up by a reputable company with a good design, make sure the proposal is broken down in a way that you can see how much each task will cost. This will help you decide how to move forward in a budget conscious way and get the most for your investment. Be sure the agreement spells out a timetable for completion, payment schedule, specific walTanties, and the right to cancel.

        Landscaping is a great investment for your property.  When you decide to renovate your garden, make sure you choose the right company.  Make sure the company is licensed, in good standing with the Better Business Bureau, and has good references.  Before the project begins, have a good plan and a clearly written contract.  Make sure the designer will be on the job to supervise the installation team.  Be thorough before the job starts and you will end up with a garden that will grow nicely and stand up to the test of time.

 

Related posts in other blogs:

• Seeking a Landscape Contractor in Orlando? Arm yourself With Information

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These easy tips will help you prepare your landscape for the winter months: 

Pull mulch back from the base of young trees, particularly if mice are a problem in your area; they can chew on the bark.

Mulch after the first freeze to insulate plants against freezing temperatures, especially those that are marginally hardy.

Spray trees that are prone to insect and disease problems with dormant oil, provided temperatures are above 40 degrees F.

Turn the compost pile one last time, and cover with a tarp to preserve heat and keep heavy rain from leaching nutrients.

Remove leaves from water gardens; when they decompose they can release chemicals harmful to fish.

Clean your tools and apply a coat of oil to metal surfaces to prevent rust.

Disconnect and drain hoses to keep freezing water from bursting hoses or pipes.

Remove dead plants and potting soil from clay pots to keep them from cracking. Store the pots in a garage or shed.

 

 

vole damage

 Source: HGtv.com

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Landscape Brighteners In lieu of summer's blazing color, many gardeners brace themselves for a winter of gray and brown, if not flat-out white. No matter if your winter is just a little chilly or bone-freezing cold, try these tips to brighten your landscape:

1. Install trees and shrubs that have beautiful exfoliating bark, vibrant berries, or bright evergreen foliage.
2. Install winter annuals or evergreens in containers near doors or windows, so you can enjoy them from indoors.

Examples:    

Pink Icicle Camellia

Japanese stewartia

Witch Hazel

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 Not Your Average Pansy Every fall and spring all you see are the usual pansies in annual beds and containers. When the temperature drops and precipitation is in the forecast, those pansies look terrible and can develop gray mold. The pansy's cousin, the viola, is stronger and hardier, but has small blooms. Horticulturists have introduced the panola as a cross between the two. The panola has larger blossoms, better performance during inclement weather, and longer lasting blooms. The panola should be your new fall color standard!

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Worried about your home's current value? Visit these links to learn how landscaping can help!

 

Lawn and Garden Equity

While studies show that you'll only recoup 80 to 90 cents on every dollar you spend to upgrade your kitchen or bath, professional landscape designers estimate that improvements to your lawn and garden can boost your home's value by 7 percent to 15 percent. Those findings have been confirmed by survey results from the Gallup Organization and the National Gardening Association, or NGA.

(read more)

 

Adding Value to Your Yard

Value added: Consumers perceive a home with proper landscaping to be worth up to 11.3 percent more than its assessed value, according to 1999 study by Clemson University. The same study found that the return on the landscaping dollar is more than 100 percent.

(read more)

 

It Pays to Clean Up Your Yard

"The whole trend for living outside is enormous right now" says Denis Flanagan, host of HGTV's One Garden, Two Looks and manager of membership services and PR for Landscape Ontario. "The garden has become an extension of the house."

(read more)

 

 Source:  http://www.nbcwashington.com/

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