Hardscaping Articles

I’m Dreaming Of An…Outdoor Kitchen!

December 11, 2014

This may be the season for holiday cheer and spending time with the family, but it’s also a great time to start planning for the outdoor kitchen of your dreams. Spring is only a few months away and there’s a lot to think about when designing your perfect outdoor space.  Of course your contractor will…

What To Look For When Hiring A Masonry Contractor

December 4, 2014

If you have been thinking about having any type of hardscaping project done around your home, you may be wondering how you begin the process of finding a qualified masonry contractor to not only complete the job, but to get the job done right.  We’re put together a few tips for hiring masonry contractors so…

Enjoy Your Outdoor Fireplace This Thanksgiving

November 26, 2014

While the focus of the Thanksgiving holiday is often on the big bird on the table, it’s also the perfect time to sit back and enjoy every moment of being together with family from near and far.  If your thanksgiving this year is keeping you in NJ or NY, you’ll be dealing with a relatively…

Winter’s Coming!  Prepare For Snow and Ice Removal

November 19, 2014

Winter will shortly be upon us, and if the recent fall weather is any indication of what’s in store for us in the Northeast in the coming season, we better be prepared for some cold temperatures and a plan to deal with snow and ice removal.  Although we hopefully won’t experience a winter as extreme…

How To Clean Your Patio

November 12, 2014

With fall in full swing, you may find that your patio is covered with leaves and falling debris from the trees.  While you might be tempted to leave everything lying around until spring rolls around and you are getting ready to take advantage of your outdoor space once again, it is best not to let…

Is It Too Late To Think About Landscape Design?

November 6, 2014

Temperatures may be falling and your flowers and plants have lived out their summer glory, but that doesn’t mean that you have to give up on thinking about your plans for a new landscape design.  Although it may soon be too cold to install new hardscaping features or to plant new trees and shrubs, now…

You Can Still Enjoy Your Backyard After Daylight Savings Ends

October 30, 2014

Daylight savings time ends at 2am on Sunday, November 2nd.  Although moving the clocks back leads to shorter days of sunlight as we move further into fall and then winter, it does not have to signify the end of your backyard enjoyment.  Whether you spend time outdoors during the daylight hours or after dark, there…

Backyard Bluestone

Winterizing Your Outdoor Kitchen

October 22, 2014

Outdoor kitchens are becoming an increasingly popular feature in backyards across New Jersey, New York and the entire northeast region.  Fortunately, many aspects of these kitchens can be used year round, even when temperatures start to drop and the center of your entertaining no longer revolves around your outdoor spaces.  However, due to the upcoming…

Concrete Installation Should Be Completed Before The Cold Sets In

October 17, 2014

Concrete is one of the strongest and most versatile materials to use for outdoor construction projects.  Whether you are interested in having a pathway installed in your backyard or need to put in a new driveway, this material can provide you with the strength, durability and resilience you need to last for many years, even…

Take Care Of Drainage Problems Before Winter Rolls Around

October 13, 2014

While we have been lucky enough to enjoy a relatively mild summer this year with only modest amounts of rainfall, there are few people in New Jersey and New York that can forgot the long, cold, snowy winter we endured last year.  Although we all dread another winter like the one we experienced in 2013-2014,…

How To Care For Outdoor Pizza Ovens

October 8, 2014

Outdoor pizza ovens can provide an opportunity for you to enjoy delicious, authentic old-world style food.  Of course, most people love this amenity for the scrumptious pizza that it creates, but there are many other yummy foods that can be cooked inside the oven with mouth-watering results.  If you are one of the lucky ones…

Retaining Walls Improve More Than Just Runoff Issues

October 3, 2014

Do you have a sloped area in your front or backyard that is resulting in a water problem every time it rains?  If so, it may be time to consider the installation of a retaining wall to stop the runoff of water and the resulting issues it creates.  This simple fix can not only solve…