During the winter months, fire pit hardscaping can be especially beneficial

Landscaping is the term most people are familiar when when it comes to remodeling the space outside of their home in any way. But it goes a bit deeper than that. “Hardscaping” is the term used to refer to hard surfaces being integrated organically into your current landscaping. There are various ways to introduce hardscaping into your property, and all of them will likely increase the value of your home, impress your guests and enhance your curb appeal.

Kinds of Hardscaping

Types of hardscaping include retaining walls/borders/curbs, walks/patios, aprons, steps, columns, fire pits and outdoor kitchens. Hardscaping is durable, aesthetically pleasing and requires little to no maintenance in most cases. This time of year, fire pits and outdoor kitchens are especially popular as the winter months are upon us. Hardscaping is assembled using a variety of beautiful stone, clay or brick. These materials can give your property a sleek, rustic, or polished feel depending on how you integrate them. Sometimes integrating tin cans or containers in your garden is a simple way to introduce minor hardscaping that looks rustic and unique.

Benefits

Aside from increasing home value, hardscaping can provide privacy, shade, shelter and give you a pleasing advantage in curb appeal. In the winter months, your outdoor kitchen or overhang can provide shelter from the elements and be a great place to entertain guests. Steps can make certain spaces on your property easier to access. When it comes to hardscaping, you have a plethora of design options. Tristate Paving is trusted in quality and execution. We can help bring your hardscaping design idea to life, no matter how small or intricate it may be. We want to help you love your outdoor space!

Are you ready to call on the help of a professional paving company?

Call Tristate Paving. We’re a seasoned hardscaping company based in Maryland and have the experience and knowledge help you turn your backyard into the perfect retreat quickly and affordably. Our experts will work with you to find a design and layout for outdoor kitchen and dining area that you’re sure to love for years and years to come.

Our area numbers are:

West Chester: 610.563.9456

Oxford: 610.932.3566

Delaware: 302.757.4100

Check back here for weekly updates on current projects, important paving facts and info, and smart ideas for homeowners interested in concrete, asphalt or hardscaping work. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Google+!

The post Hardscaping 101 appeared first on Tristate Paving Company.

Creating the perfect fire pit for fall is a snap!

Fall is finally on its way and with it come many wonderful things. The leaves will tumble down from the sky. Hot chocolate will become the normal evening drink. The weather will be cool enough to wear comfy sweatshirts. This will be the perfect time to have a fire pit. In the evenings, you can gather around your bonfire to enjoy the coolness of the night with friends and family. So, would you like to find out how to create the perfect fire pit for fall? Well, let’s get going then!

Create the perfect fire pit for relaxing.

Relaxing after a long day at work is one of the best things about living. Why not do that while watching a bon fire? The flames will dance and keep you warm while you chat with friends, answer emails, or even just sit and unwind. The benefits of a fire pit go beyond the simple pleasure of watching a bon fire though. A fire pit can raise your property value and improve the appearance of your home.  Now, this can change depending on the style of your fire pit and the materials you use to create it. We’re going to elaborate on that.

Create the perfect fire pit with the right materials.

It’s easy to see why many people choose to create their fire pit with stone instead of metal. Stone fire pits are much more attractive than their metal counterparts. The materials that you choose for your fire pit are going to change the way it affects your home. For example, a granite fire pit is going to raise property value much more than a simple metal one will. If you have questions about which material is right for you, then give us a shout!

So, are you ready to call on the help of a professional paving company?

Call Tristate Paving. We’re a seasoned hardscaping company based in Maryland and have the experience and knowledge help you turn your backyard into the perfect retreat quickly and affordably. Our experts will work with you to find a design and layout for outdoor kitchen and dining area that you’re sure to love for years and years to come.

Our area numbers are:

West Chester: 610.563.9456

Oxford: 610.932.3566

Delaware: 302.757.4100

Check back here for weekly updates on current projects, important paving facts and info, and smart ideas for homeowners interested in concrete, asphalt or hardscaping work.

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The post Create the Perfect Fire Pit for Fall appeared first on Tristate Paving Company.

Thinking about installing a fire pit?

Installing a fire pit into your backyard area can be an awesome way to enhance your home. Fire pits can add all sorts of flair to any home, but they can add a lot more to homes when properly planned out. Today we’ll be talking about what a new fire pit can do for your home and what decisions you need to make before you decide. Ready to learn more? Let’s do it!

So, what can a fire pit do for you?

A fire pit can add an extra entertainment space to your backyard. You can sit around the fire pit when it’s nice outside and enjoy the nights of spring and summer. Now, you should know that a fire pit is great for all seasons. During the fall and winter you can roast marshmallows with friends or family. Fire pits are great centerpieces for a party that has pushed into the evening. So, are you ready to take back the night with a new fire pit?

What do you need to do before you call?

The first thing you need to do is decide where you’re going to put the fire pit. Do you have ample space for it in your yard? The next thing you need to do is decide on the type of building materials you want to be used. Brick, natural stone, or even concrete are all great options for your new fire pit. You can even have it built with a combination of these materials.

Ready to invest in your new fire pit?

Tri-State Paving and Construction has provided exceptional asphalt and concrete services for over 40 years.  Powered by information and run by the consumer, we strive to put forth the best in concrete and paving for all of our customers while giving them as much insight as possible.

We perform road construction, paving services and decoration for curbs and walls.  We’re available to work in both commercial and residential settings, giving you the options you need to get the best job done right.  Contact us online or call the location nearest you:

West Chester: 610.563.9456

Oxford: 610.932.3566

Delaware: 302.757.4100

The post Considering a Fire Pit? appeared first on Tristate Paving Company.

The Patio Base

The patio will serve as the base of your backyard retreat, so don’t neglect it in favor of the other “more exciting” hardscaping features. As the base it will be the unifying feature between all of your other hardscaping features, and will be where you, your family, and guests gather for out door gatherings and parties.  Choose your theme and plan the layout of your patio carefully. Use interesting shapes in the design like irregular ovals, or raised terraces, but remember to keep it practical to host for guests (unless you want to keep this retreat to yourself). Pick out materials to match your chosen theme, you can keep it regular throughout the hardscaping, or vary it with complimentary or contrasting colors, textures, and shapes. Building short walls around the patio helps keep the backyard from spilling onto the space, and can serve as impromptu seating for guests. Finally, consider a walkway from the backdoor to your patio and from your patio to your fence gate can save your grass from wear and tear.

The Centerpiece

Having a centerpiece for your patio, gives it a focal center, or gathering point for you and your guests to gather around at parties.  There are many options that can serve as the centerpiece of your patio, each providing a different flavor to your outdoor living space. A dinning table for you and your guests to sit and eat at would be best used during the spring, summer, and fall. A bar can be a great place for summer fun, especially for your Fourth of July barbecue. And a fire pit or out door fireplace work well as a gathering place for you and your guests to sit around, drink warm drinks, and reminisce beside year round.  Of course, if you wanted to and you had a big enough patio, you could have all of the features described above.

Other Hardscaping Features

There are many other hardscaping features that could be employed to help beautify your backyard, and make it a fun place to entertain. If you have an uneven backyard having the patio on different leveled terraces, with steps, and retaining walls can make it a more interesting area to inhabit. If your backyard gets lots of sunlight you might consider a cover with hardscaped columns supporting it to match your other décor. You could hardscape elevated planters held in with retaining walls. You could even use hardscaping with a water feature to make a fountain or waterfall to add a relaxing note of gurgling water to your backyard escape.

Hardscaping from Tri-State Paving

Call Tristate Paving. We’re a seasoned hardscaping company based in Maryland and have the experience and knowledge help you turn your backyard into the perfect retreat quickly and affordably. Our experts will work with you to find a design and layout for your patio that you’re sure to love for years and years to come.

Our area numbers are:

West Chester: 610.563.9456

Oxford: 610.932.3566

Delaware: 302.757.4100

Check back here for weekly updates on current projects, important paving facts and info, and smart ideas for homeowners interested in concrete, asphalt or hardscaping work.

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The post Turn your Backyard into the Perfect Escape with some Hardscaping Features appeared first on Tristate Paving Company.

Cost

Probably the biggest concern facing most Maryland homeowners who are considering installing a fire pit is how much it will cost you. It’s vital, before you’ve looked at any plans or models, to set a realistic budget for your fire pit. It’s possible to save money by building one yourself, but you’re still paying for raw materials and this seemingly inexpensive option  can start to become very costly if you make mistakes, have to start over, waste materials, or build an unsafe fire pit. In the long run, professional installation always pays off.

What Fuel Do You Prefer?

While there are several non-traditional types of fuel sources available to fire pit owners in Maryland, most prefer to stick with simple wood or gas operated system. One the one hand, wood offers that impossible-to-imitate real fire smell but it also needs to be regularly refueled and carefully observes to ensure maximum fire safety. Many Maryland homeowners choose gas or propane to fuel their outdoor fire pits. These can be quick-started by remote control, and won’t need constant refueling but may be more expensive if you have ready access to a steady supply of wood.

Location, Location, Location

Property laws in Maryland dictate that there must be a minimum distance between the home, any surrounding properties, and the fire pit itself. You should also check before beginning to see if your area requires a special permit for a fire pit or an on-site inspection by the local fire marshal. Stay abreast of any fire pit related regulations so you can be sure that you’re in full compliance with the law. Of course, if you hire a great hardscaping company, they will take care of permit acquisition and compliance for you.

Interested in Building an Outdoor Fire Pit?

Call Tristate Paving. We’re a seasoned hardscaping company based in Maryland and have the experience and knowledge to build a fire pit of the highest quality quickly and affordably. Our experts will work with you to find an outdoor fire pit that fits your goals and your budget to bring you a cozy, comforting fire pit you’re sure to love for years and years to come.

Our area numbers are:

West Chester: 610.563.9456

Oxford: 610.932.3566

Delaware: 302.757.4100

Check back here for weekly updates on current projects, important paving facts and info, and smart ideas for homeowners interested in concrete, asphalt or hardscaping work.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Google+

The post Designing Your Outdoor Fire Pit appeared first on Tristate Paving Company.