Category: Fairfax VA

Choosing Between a Fire Pit or a Fireplace for your Fairfax VA Home

How do you choose between a fire pit or a fireplace for your Fairfax VA home?

No matter which you choose, you will get light, warmth, and fuel options (wood or gas). So what other criteria should you consider to help you make the decision?

A fire pit might be for you if:

  • You enjoy campfires
  • You plan on entertaining groups of 5 people or more
  • You want to create more of a social/party/ campfire atmosphere
  • You have a spectacular view from your property
  • You have a smaller property (fire pits are a great option for a townhouse backyard)
  • You comfortable with open flame
  • You can handle some smoke
  • You don’t have a problem with sparks and embers

A fireplace might be for you if:

  • You are entertaining a small group of people
  • You want to create a cozy or romantic ambiance
  • You want to create a focal point in your landscaping
  • You have a property that has a lot of wind (a fireplace will be easier to light, and can block the wind)
  • You are intimidated or fearful of an open flame, sparks, or embers
  • You can’t stand smoke

For more information on gorgeous fire pits and fireplaces in Fairfax VA, please contact the hardscape experts at Premier Paving & Planting.

Is Fairfax VA Patio Design and Installation a DIY Project?

Is Fairfax VA Patio Design and Installation a DIY Project?

Honestly, unless you have prior experience designing and installing a patio in Fairfax VA, you really should leave it to the experts at Premier Paving & Planting. Why?

So much more goes into Fairfax VA patio design and installation. A gorgeous patio design and installation requires prior experience, engineering skills, an artist’s eye for design, commercial-quality materials, professional equipment, and experience working with many different types of stone.

  • Experience – prior experience in Fairfax VA patio design and installation is a must. No two design and installations are exactly alike; however each patio that designed and installed informs the next.
  • Engineering Skills –  such as the patio foundation and drainage work can be complicated, and extremely costly if not done correctly.  There are horror stories galore about DIY patios that have caused severe flood damage inside and outside of homes.
  • Artistry – Beautiful patio designs don’t happen by accident; a true patio designer will make sure the he right stones are selected, cut, and placed into patterns that reflect and enhance the design of your home and landscaping.

  • Materials – You can count on the professionals at Premier Paving & Planting to obtain the highest quality commercial-grade materials.
  • Equipment – Heavy duty vehicles, such as trucks and backhoes (and sometimes even jackhammers)  are required for patio installation. In addition, large stone cutting machines are needed to get difficult shapes just right.

For more information on Fairfax VA patio design and installation, 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 and structures. NCMA and ICPI certified, Premier Paving is licensed and insured, and carries an A+ rating from Angie’s List.

 

What Does Fairfax VA Hardscaping Design Entail?

If you live in Fairfax VA, you may have heard about hardscaping design. What does hardscaping design entail?

Hardscaping is your driveway, walkways, patio, sidewalks, fire pits, fireplaces, and outdoor structures, as a part of your home and landscaping. So, before the experts at Premier Paving & Planting create a design for the hardscaping of your Fairfax VA home, we evaluate your current hardscaping, landscaping, and how both affect your home. Of utmost importance is safety; if  there’s damage or other problems – we will let you know. Some damage is easily seen, like a cracked driveway. Other damage, such as failing retaining walls, may be less apparent.

In creating a hardscaping design, we assess the style of your home – what design changes would look best with your style of home? Would these changes fit in with the look of your neighborhood, or look out of place? For instance, certain paver patterns and colors look more appropriate for some homes, than others. Or some hardscapes can look out of place by size – such as a small patio that looks even smaller when seen against a large home and backyard. If no one in your Colonial-style neighborhood has a huge Grecian fountain in their front yard, that would probably not be part of your hardscape design.

We also think about how improvements or additions to your current hardscaping design can add to the enjoyment and quality of life of you and your family. For example, if you all love and use your patio, a new fire pit will provide extra enjoyment and comfort when entertaining family and friends.

For more information about Fairfax VA hardscaping design, please contact the experts at Premier Paving & Planting. With multiple industry certifications and nearly 30 years of experience in the metro Washington DC area, our work is top quality. We also carry an A+ rating on Angie’s List.