Tag Archives: patio

Hardscaping Projects That Increase the Value of Your Home

If you’re considering making upgrades to your home or backyard, keep in mind that some will increase the future resale value of your property more than others. Of course, the most important aspect is that you and your family will benefit from and appreciate the upgrade, but it never hurts to plan ahead. A home project that will increase your home’s market value is the best possible option. However, the question is: what hardscaping projects can increase the value of your home the most? In the rest of this article, we’ll answer that question and go over everything else you need to know about certain hardscaping projects.

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5 Tips for Using Your Hardscaped Patio Into the Fall

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By Paul Colbert

Falling leaves and pumpkin spice lattes. Crisp nights and gloriously mild afternoons. There’s a lot to love about autumns in Pennsylvania. Daytime temperatures drop into the 50s and 60s, and at night there’s just enough chill in the air to put on a jacket. It’s a great season to lounge in your own yard and enjoy the fall colors. Here are five tips for using your hardscaped patio into the fall.

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Why My Polymeric Sand Did Not Set

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Everyone dreams of a maintenance free patio that always looks amazing, so yes, of course you used polymeric sand in between your joints to make this scenario more likely. You followed all the directions, and yet…it’s still soft! Why? People are quick to yell “bad batch” for the failure; turns out, that outcome is actually rare. The following variables are most likely one of the reasons your poly is still soft:

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How to Choose the Best Natural Stone for Patios

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Travertine and Flagstone Patio

When it comes to selecting natural stone for patios, you have a lot of choices.

Brick. Bluestone. Travertine. All attractive picks, all with their own benefits.

No matter what you pick, you’ll be getting a patio that lasts for decades, requires little maintenance and adds beauty to your home. Let’s take a closer look at these patio materials so you can decide which one is right for you.

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Adding Value to Your Property with Landscaping

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If you’re planning on selling your home at some point within the next year or so, you’ve probably been doing a fair amount of research on ways you can add value to your property.

You’ve probably also noticed the one phrase that seems to pop up over and over (and over) again in articles about increasing your property value: “curb appeal.” In the worlds of DIY home remodeling and property value enhancing, that phrase is everywhere.

Yet whether you believe in the power of curb appeal, it’s not always easy to know exactly which upgrades to make when you’re hoping to enhance your home’s value. Study after study, however, has shown us that landscaping is almost always the best investment you can make in value-adding property scenarios.

Not only have these studies proven that landscaping enhances your property’s curb appeal, which in turn increases its value. They’ve also shown that landscaping can significantly increase the rate at which you can expect your house to sell.

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A Simple Guide to Patio Planning: Patio Safety – Guest Post

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Outdoor living is a major trend and it’s here to stay. You read my article “A Simple Guide to Patio Planning” so you’ve made all the important decisions, identified a trustworthy professional to help you with the project, and are ready to take this patio show on the road. What else should you be aware of?

Safety First

Extra amenities and fire hazards

Having an open grill, a furnace, some lighting, and plants in or around your patio sounds great – and kudos to you if you can afford them. However, it’s extremely important to note that the lighting should be low voltage and very well insulated, for outdoor use. Furthermore, any sort of cooking equipment that involves an open fire should ideally be placed outside the patio, with all the proper safety measures for ventilation in place. Also, make sure the base of the patio is level, to avoid wobbly chairs and tables.

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A Simple Guide to Patio Planning – Guest Post

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Word on the street – or, better said, in the great outdoors – is that outdoor living is a major trend and it’s here to stay. You see it in camper van remodels, the revival of camping and hiking—and, of course, in the increased number of patios popping up left and right., in gardens all over the country.

The beauty of a patio is many-splendored, as this relatively low-cost and low-maintenance upgrade to your property can serve a great number of purposes. It can be a decorative addition, with a beautiful structure and hanging plants all over it. It can stand as the new family gathering space for fun-filled board game nights outside or cozy summer lunches. Last, but not least, it allows you to enjoy time outside, either socializing or reading, without being exposed to the scorching sun and its harmful UV rays.

That said, where do you start, when you’ve already decided you want a patio? We’ve put together a quick list of tips and tricks, selected from the experts, and here’s what they have to say about your soon-to-be favorite outdoor hangout.

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