Experienced Landscapers for Large Front Yards in McLean VA

Experienced landscapers understand that landscape design is very different for large front yards in McLean, VA. In general, there should be more curvey lines, mixed surfaces, great plantings, and more “outdoor rooms.”

Landscapers who design for large front yards in McLean VA take stock of the yard area available for improvement, and break it down into smaller – yet connected – “outdoor rooms.” They look for a balance of paved surfaces, plantings, and lawn.

These paved surfaces – such as a driveway, one or more patios, sidewalks, walkways, and pool decks – make use of curved lines. Plantings will include big “focal point” trees drawing the eye upward, perennials that provide big color for most of the year, and shrubs or bushes that are used to define the outdoor rooms. Lawn management means creating areas where the growing turf will survive and look great.

Mixed surfaces can mean more than the materials used to create those surfaces. We’re talking surfaces of various heights and grades, such as building stone retaining walls that draw the eye to an area of the property, and provides tiers for planting.

For example, a long driveway should make visitors feel like they are going to a lovely destination. A long curved driveway with hedges that is graded in tiers to crest on hill, installed with a mix of surfaces (like pavers and flagstones) and the focal point of a fountain, can be infinitely more interesting than just a long, straight driveway.

Another design could have a good portion of a large front yard used to create a courtyard. This courtyard could be used for gatherings of family and friends – or walled off on three sides – a courtyard can make that area of the home feel like a get away from the outside world. Surfaces for a courtyard could be interlocking pavers or stained and patterned concrete to provide interest. A water fountain, a shade tree, and a garden of vines and colorful perennials could complete that design.

For more information about beautiful and functional landscape design from landscapers in McLean VA, please contact the experts at Premier Paving & Planting. Premier Paving & Planting, Inc. is a hardscape and landscape service company providing attractive, affordable, functional, and environmentally beneficial landscape design and creation. Working together, we evaluate the existing conditions of your property, determine your requirements, explore your desires, and develop an innovative landscape plan to create a practical, comfortable, long-lasting outdoor space.

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.

 

What Causes Problems with Retaining Walls in McLean?

When retaining walls in McLean start having problems – also known as “failures” – they must be taken care of right away. Small problems usually can be fixed, before they become big problems. Of course, some problems can be prevented with some forethought and care.

There are generally 3 different types of failures: frost-heave failures, wet soil failures, and blowout failures.

In frost-heave failures, the retaining wall was built without proper drainage or a footer. When the wet soil freezes, it can heave upward and severely damage the wall. The ways to avoid frost-heave failures begin during construction. The wall should rest on gravel (which allows for proper drainage) and the base or footer should be buried under the frost line.

Wet soil failures are also caused by drainage issues, causing the soil in the wall to become saturated. The hydrostatic water pressure and weight of the wet soil can cause the retaining wall to collapse. To prevent wet soil failures, gravel should be used to funnel the water away from the wall. Care should be taken that topsoil is only used in the top 6” behind the retaining wall.

When a retaining wall has a blowout, it’s because a load of weight is added within 3 feet of the top of the retaining wall. This causes the top of the retaining wall to start leaning, until it tips over. If you are expecting to drive near or put a shed or something else heavy near your retaining wall, tell your landscape engineer before wall construction begins. They can increase the size of the footer to manage the load, and increase the number of tiebacks to provide additional support.

Want properly constructed retaining walls for your home in McLean – the kind of retaining walls that last for generations? Contact the retaining wall experts at Premier Paving & Planting.

Invasive Tree Roots in Burke VA: Prevention and Care for Paver Patios

Burke VA has a lot of trees, so it should come as no surprise that many homeowners there find that they have issues with invasive tree roots and their paver patios. Precautions should be taken to prevent damage and repair paver patios as soon as possible.

Prior to installing a paver patio, tree roots should be removed. That’s because tree roots will cause problems with how the pavers lay – either jacked up by the roots – or if the roots die, the pavers will dip or cave into that void.

Prevention
Before installation, there are three ways to prevent invasive roots from damaging paver patios in Burke, VA:

  1. Patio installers can leave at least 3-6 feet of space between the trees and the edge or the pavers.
  2. Patio installers can build a cement barrier into the soil to prevent the tree roots from reaching the paver patio
  3. Landscapers can remove the trees, stumps, and the tree roots.

Repairing Paver Patios
If you have a cement patio, invasive tree roots could cost you thousands. But lucky you, you chose to go with pavers for your patio. That means that the pavers can be removed, the root problem addressed by a professional landscaper, and then the pavers can be reinstalled. Your paver patio will look good as new afterwards.

For more information on Burke VA paver patios, please contact Premier Paving & Planting. Premier Paving & Planting has experts in paving and landscaping, we can address both root and paver issues.

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 & Planting is licensed and insured, and carries an A+ rating from Angie’s List.

Ashburn VA Homeowners: Consider Paver Walkways

If you own a home in Ashburn VA, and don’t have a way to connect your front, back, and side yards, you should consider having paver walkways installed. Why?

  • Cohesiveness – when the hardscaping (driveway, patio, deck, etc) and the landscaping aren’t connected through walkways, the entire outside of your home comes off as disjointed.

  • Upkeep – the places where people walk becomes muddy, the grass dies, and those dirt paths always look sketchy and unkempt.

  • Safety – when there is no hard surface to walk on, people and animals can be injured by stepping in mud and/or holes, and they can slip and fall.

    Walkways created with pavers connect sections of your yard; you will have a tidy, cohesive style of landscaping. People will walk safely where they are supposed to, and feel as if they are going to a special destination.

Pavers are really versatile, and can be used to create a simple path, dress up a garden, or create a formal walkway. With pavers, you are only limited by your imagination – they come in many shapes, colors and textures and can be laid in a variety of patterns – even multiple patterns.

Unlike other surfaces, you don’t have to worry about cracks and costly repairs. Pavers are  typically placed over a bed of compacted soil and gravel, and individual pavers can be replaced without needing to tear up the entire walkway.

For more information on Ashburn VA paver walkways, 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.

Spring Hardscaping Maintenance for Your Fairfax VA Home

If you live in Fairfax VA, and you want to keep your paver hardscapes looking and performing their best, you need to do some maintenance at least once a year. Spring is the perfect time to get those chores done.

When we say “paver hardscapes” we mean your driveway, patio, walkways, and sidewalks. Hardscaping maintenance means that you will need to inspect, clean, repair, and seal your paver hardscapes.  Here’s what you need to do:

  • Inspect – walk your hard surfaces, and note any damage, instability, staining, or efflorescence. Bring a flashlight, so that you can get a good look under and around landscaping.

  • Clean – the amount of cleaning and effort involved is directly proportional to the length of time between cleanings. If you’ve swept regularly and taken care of stains as they’ve occurred, then this cleaning chore will be be a minor one. You’ll sweep, do some minor spot cleaning with a mild detergent, then give it a good rinse. If  it’s been awhile since you’ve cleaned and the surface is in stable condition but really dirty or stained, you may need to power wash it. Power washing needs to be done carefully, because the surface could be damaged. So, if you’ve never power washed a hard surface before, you need to either be really careful, or hire a professional to do the job.

  • Repair – once you’ve cleaned your pavers, inspect them pavers again. Pavers that have been chipped, cracked, or have stains that won’t come out will need to be replaced. The good news is that single or multiple pavers can be replaced. After repairs are done, if you notice that the sand filler is low between pavers, you will need to replenish the sand filler. The sand filler goes in between your stone pavers to help hold them in place.

  • Seal – this important step, more than anything else you do, extends the life of your pavers. This easy process can be done yearly and will keep your pavers looking new, prevent grass from growing in between your paving stones and help to keep ants and other bugs off of your pavers. (Note: sealing does not mean you can skip maintenance – it just means that you won’t have as much maintenance to do.)

For more information about hardscaping maintenance n Fairfax VA, please contact the experts at 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 and maintenance 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.

Erosion Control for your Northern Virginia Home

Erosion control is important because it preserves the structural integrity of your home, keeps your basement from flooding, and prevents the destruction of your landscaping.

What does erosion look like?

  • Worn away soil near structures
  • Flooded basement
  • Muddy water in the gutter or driveway
  • Bare spots on your lawn or property
  • Exposed tree roots
  • Small rills or gullies on slopes
  • Soil splashes on your windows and outside walls
  • Sediment that collects in low areas or on pavement

What can you do to control the erosion?

  • Add downspout or sump pump extensions (non-perforated corrugated plastic pipes) can be attached to the downspouts to direct flow further from the house. The pipes can either be laid on the ground surface or buried underground.
  • Have permeable pavers and other porous natural materials installed to minimize storm-water runoff from driveways, walkways, and patios
  • Plant vegetation that is better suited to your landscape conditions. Plant groundcover in areas difficult to mow (as opposed to leaving the site bare). Plant hardy shrubs  and trees with deep roots, and add mulch or compost to manage moisture around roots.
  • Add a french drain – a long trench dug into the ground that is filled with gravel to redirect water away from an area and carry it elsewhere.
  • Amend soil where needed to make it more stable, less likely to run off.
  • For areas with heavy foot traffic, stepping stones or a gravel or mulch path can be used to cover and protect eroded areas.
  • For steep slopes, consider adding retaining walls or terraces, with good drainage
    systems.

For more information on erosion control in Northern Virginia, please contact the erosion control specialists at Premier Paving & Planting. They will come out to your home, assess the situation, and discuss a solution tailored to the needs of your home, landscape, and budget.

 

Driveway Design Affects the Curb Appeal of your Springfield VA Home

Ask any Realtor – they will tell you that the driveway design at your Springfield VA home affects its curb appeal. If your driveway looks great – then it adds value to your home. But if your driveway looks awful – in disrepair, cracked, and stained/discolored – you’ll find that buyers will be more likely to pass on your home. And when it does eventually sell, you will get less for your home.

Here are some great driveway designs that could add great curb appeal to your Springfield VA home:

Driveway Patterns – using pavers to create concentric circles, basket weave patterns, sunbursts, or patterns within borders.

Dyed and Stamped “Brick” Concrete – concrete can be dyed and stamped to create a “brick” look, for about half the cost of a new brick driveway.

Stained and/or Textured Concrete – homeowners can select from a multitude of colors to compliment their home, patterns can be stamped and textures added for a customized look.

Porous Pavers or Paving Bricks – with the addition of hardy ground covers, such as blue star creeper (Isotoma fluviatilis) and Corsican mint (Mentha requienii), you can have a natural looking driveway that melds into your landscaping.

 

Mixed and Matched Materials

Some homeowners are choosing to mix a new asphalt driveway with a decorative border of bricks, pavers, or stamped and/or stained concrete.

 

For more information about driveway design in Springfield VA, please contact Premier Paving. Established in 1987, Premier Paving & Planting, Inc. provides free estimates, and delivers a full compliment of high quality paving and landscape services, including the 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.

 

Fairfax VA Firepits: Create A Family Gathering Spot

Creating a backyard oasis with an outdoor kitchen, flagstone patio and firepit can create a family gathering spot for generations.

While your kids are little, they can be roasting marshmallows while you watch. As they grow, during their teenage years, your kids will gather with their friends in the ‘cool’ backyard and talk of schools and boyfriends and girlfriends.

When the kids go away to college, they will have the fond memories of the ‘best backyard in the world’, and the great times they had there. You can go out to the firepit and roast a couple of marshmallows yourself, remembering the times when the kids were little.

After college, your kids will start careers, and get married, starting families of their own. But, there will be stories told to your grandkids of the ‘best backyard in the world’.

Before you know it, there will be little kids, roasting marshmallows around the backyard firepit again, as you tell stories of your grandkids parent’s time playing in that yard.

Families need places to gather, get connected and build memories. A backyard retreat can provide such a place for your family. Give Premier Paving a call and get started building those family memories today.