Month: May 2016

Fairfax VA Outdoor Structures: Gazebos

In Fairfax VA, gazebos are popular outdoor structures, and with good reason: gazebos provide a beautiful place for family and friends to gather and relax, right in our own backyards.

Permanent gazebos are durable; they have a full roof, and with the addition of some canvas side coverings, can be used during the heat of the day, wind, and rain – some homeowners even use their gazebo during the winter.

Gazebos harken us back to the days of traditional gardens; gazebos were often part of classic English garden designs. At the same time, gazebos can be built to fit right in with more modern or contemporary styles of home and garden.  Some gazebo styles to consider are:

  • A tiered-roof gazebo with a vented cupola; vents under each roof help promote air circulation, which keeps the seating area cooler.
  • A small-space gazebo, with bench seating and room for a small dining table, is the perfect spot for romantic drinks and dining.
  • A large, focal-point gazebo, set further away from the home, this gazebo becomes the focal-point of the yard, a getaway from the everyday, and a relaxing destination.
  • A dome-style gazebo, favoring the design of a traditional English conservatory.
  • A gazebo built around an existing tree; so many lovely trees in Fairfax VA, and if you can’t stand to cut yours down to make room for an outdoor structure, talk with one of our experts about designing a gazebo around that treasured tree.

Remember, part of the charm of a gazebo is the landscaping and hardscaping around it. Your gazebo should feel like part of the garden, not alien to it. Landscaping can be used around the bottom of the gazebo to hide posts, and climbing plants can be used to decorate the outside of the gazebo and incorporate it into the wilds of your garden. And speaking of your gazebo getaway, a water permeable paver walkway would be the perfect way to reach that restful destination.

For more information about Fairfax, VA outdoor structures, please contact Premier Paving & Planting. With nearly 30 years of experience in the metro Washington DC area, our work is top quality. We take into account the entire landscape when planning and designing your new outdoor structures, and work meticulously to ensure that homeowners get what they want and need.

Do Flagstone Patios Perform Well in Northern Virginia?

Some folks considering flagstone wonder, “Do flagstone patios perform well in Northern Virginia?  The answer is yes – if they are installed and maintained correctly. For the purpose of this article, we will be talking about Bluestone flagstone, the most popular flagstone in the mid-Atlantic area.

Naturally Strong and Beautiful
Bluestone is a type of sandstone used in flagstone patios in Northern Virginia. Bluestone is naturally strong and beautiful; it comes in shades of blue, gray, and purple.

Bluestone flagstone can be cleft into flat slabs, which can be used to create a free-form natural looking patio. Or, if you prefer a more formal looking patio, Bluestone flagstone can be cut into 1-4 foot squares and rectangles, with straight edges and corners. Whatever type of Bluestone flagstone you choose, it needs to be at least 2 inches thick in order to avoid breakage.

While cleft Bluestone flagstone can be installed with sand, mortar is typically used. And when mortar is used, the patio needs to be installed on top of a stable slab. For a cut flagstone patio, mortar is always used.

Bluestone flagstone patios can be covered or left completely open. They can support heavy grills and outdoor kitchens, and are easy to keep clean. However, they do require a proper sealing to preserve color, to resist chlorine or salt water, and to protect from scratching and staining.

Weather Performance
Flagstones are natural stones, and flagstone patios hold up well under our weather in Northern Virginia. Flagstones do not expand and contract due to heat or cold, and that are not easily damaged by hail. Flagstones reflect the sun, and when temperatures soar, the stones can be quite hot on bare feet.

In the Fall and Spring, Bluestone flagstone patios should be swept and cleaned with a mild detergent. Any repairs needed should be done by an expert, such as Premier Paving & Planting. If flagstone patios in Northern Virginia haven’t been resealed in the last 5 years, a call to the Premier Paving & Planting can get that done quickly.

For more information about flagstone patios in Northern Virginia, please contact Premier Paving. 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 (such as flagstone) and structures. NCMA and ICPI certified, Premier Paving is licensed and insured, and carries an A+ rating from Angie’s List.