The latest trends in Fairfax VA patio design further the idea that the patio is an extension of a home’s living space.
Patio Heating & Cooling:
When we talk about heating a patio, we need to start at the bottom and move up. Radiant patio floor heating keeps feet warm during the chillier days and evenings, as well as prevents snow and ice from accumulating on the patio floor. The heating elements are installed under the patio flooring, during the construction process.
Other sources of warmth on the patio include firepits and fireplaces. These can be fueled by wood, natural gas, propane, electricity, or fuel gel. Some Fairfax VA patio designs have seat walls constructed around the firepits and fireplaces. The materials used to create the seat walls absorb the heat from the fire, and add in keeping family and friends warm.
As for cooling, some homeowners want their patio designs to include a cover that will accommodate a fan or two or three. Or they may want to add a freestanding structure - such as a pergola - on to the patio for shade.
Another way of cooling off a patio is to incorporate a water feature into the Fairfax VA patio design. Water features such as fountains, ponds, or small water falls not only block out the sound of neighbors and traffic, they also create a cooler “microclimate” on the patio.
Patio Lighting & Ambience:
A Fairfax VA patio design should include outdoor lighting. Just as in your home, there should be general lighting, task lighting, mood lighting, and safety lighting. General lighting is set high enough to shed light onto most (if not all) of the patio area. Task lighting placed very close to the cooking, reading or eating areas, so you can shed light on those activities.
Mood lighting is often achieved with portable outdoor-safe lights. However, some homeowners prefer to have wiring installed to accommodate strings of lights, which are lovely and provide a sense of romance and celebration.
It’s easy to get wrapped up in the other outdoor lighting you want to do for your patio; however, the most important lighting of all is safety lighting. The right lighting placed around steps or the edge or the patio will help prevent trips and falls - some of which could cause a significant injury.
For more information about a Fairfax VA patio design, please contact the experts at Premier Paving & Planting, Inc. Established in 1987, Premier Paving & Planting, Inc. provides free estimates, and delivers a full compliment of high quality landscape services, including concrete work and lawn and garden services, along with installation of permeable and non-porous paver and hardscape surfaces and structures. NCMA and ICPI certified, Premier Paving is licensed and insured, and carries an A+ rating from Angie’s List.
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