Top 5 Benefits of Retaining Walls

Top 5 Benefits of Retaining Walls

Jun 5, 2020 | hardscape, home appeal, pavers, retaining wall, stone

Happy to be home right now? What if your home just disappeared suddenly?

Unfortunately, this happens quite often due to an unlikely foe: soil erosion. On average, 75,000 Americans are driven from their homes due to flash flooding from soil erosion every year.

This is an appalling statistic that should not exist. Luckily, there are things we can do to keep things like this from happening. One thing we can do is install a retaining wall that holds soil in place and channels water away from your house, keeping you and your family safe from flash flooding. 

But what is so special about retaining walls? Here are five reasons why you should invest in a retaining wall installation as soon as possible.

They are a great decorative feature.

Retaining walls do not have to be boring and bland. In fact, it is encouraged to make retaining walls look good in whatever way possible. Whether it be a terrace garden, LED lighting, or interesting materials, anything that does not sacrifice the ability to hold soil in place or channel water away from your home is fair game.

They prevent sinkholes.

Let’s face it, sinkholes are terrifying. At the drop of a hat, one could open under you and you could never be seen again. One man was swallowed up by a sinkhole while he was sleeping, never to be seen again. 

Thankfully, retaining walls are particularly good at preventing things like this from happening. They do this by keeping soil where it should be and by keeping pools of water from forming, which makes sure the conditions needed for a sinkhole do not happen in your backyard.

It can make your property more manageable.

Getting a retaining wall for your property is one of the best ways to prevent soil erosion from wreaking untold havoc on your property. It does this by not only keeping wet soil in one place, but also channels water in a way that directs away from your house, keeping any erosion that takes place away from your home and out of mind, giving you confidence that your home will be safe from a flash flood.

It raises your home’s resale value.

Since retaining walls can be dolled up to look as good as possible, they can help your home attract far more prospective buyers when it comes time to sell. It shows them the property was well cared for and that it is a safe place to live, driving up its value as a result.

It can create more space.

If your yard is very hilly, a retaining wall can free up space for you to use. You may be thinking, “Wait a minute, wouldn’t that reduce the space you have?” Well, there are many outdoor activities that require a flat piece of land, like gardening. A retaining wall can open up flat land your gardening partner or relative can use to train their green thumbs.

So as you can see, retaining walls have plenty of benefits that you will definitely appreciate in your life. If you want to learn more about other benefits like these, contact Fritz Stoneworks at 636-861-1530 to learn how a retaining wall may be just the thing you need.

Enhance your Property Value with Stone Pathways

Enhance your Property Value with Stone Pathways

May 15, 2020 | hardscape, home appeal, landscape, landscaping, lanscape company, pavers, stone, stone pathway

The value of your property is based on location, amount of property, and improvements on that property. When the majority of people consider the improvements on a property they consider the home or structures like storage sheds and buildings. They also think about amenities like pools and hot tubs because those items make a property more appealing to buyers, and thus the property becomes more valuable.

One of the things you can do to increase the value of your property is to create stone pathways from the major points of interest. When you leave out of the front door to walk to the driveway or to the street in front of the property you do not want to walk through the grass or across an unlevel ground.

If you create a pathway from the front door to the street by laying brick or stone pavers you will create a level walkway that allows you to not get your feet wet or dirty when you are traveling the path. Even if it has just rained outside you can travel the stone path and not get dirty doing so.

The benefits of a stone pathway

  •         The stone path is level and will allow you to walk safely and take fewer chances of falling, tripping, or turning an ankle.
  •         The inside of the home will stay cleaner because you are not walking through dirt or grass before you walk into the home. You track in less dirt          because your shoes pick up less dirt.
  •         The lawn looks better with a stone path than it would with a beaten-down trail that you make by traveling over the same area repeatedly.
  •         You can add interesting lighting and borders to stone paths to dress them up even more
  •         Your home instantly has increased curb appeal when you create the stone pathways

Stone pathways are alluring to prospective buyers because they can see all of the benefits of having these paths that are level, safer to navigate, and cleaner to travel.

Where to place stone pathways on your property

The obvious places for stone pathways are from your front door to the most frequently traveled places like the driveway or the street in front of the house. It there are flower beds, gazebos, or areas of particular interest in the front section of the lawn you can also create a stone path leading to those areas.

When you exit the back door of the home you will want a path that leads to any storage buildings you may have in the back section of the property. You also want a path leading to any outdoor attractions like pools, tennis courts, patios, outdoor kitchens, game areas, or particular places of interest that you might frequently travel.

To learn more about stone pathways and all of the options you have in making them contact the experts at Fritz Stoneworks at 636-861-1530. The friendly staff will be able to answer all of your questions and help you make the best choices according to your location, budget, and ideas.

 

Patio trends for 2020

Patio trends for 2020

Mar 24, 2020 | hardscape, home appeal, landscape, landscaping, lanscape company, lighting, natural landscape, pavers

It is that time of the year! Where coats are put back into the closets, and the outdoors begin calling. Patio furniture does not go out of fashion as fast as other home items. Nonetheless, the aspect of your patio can be drastically modified with simple touches or radical additions. New year, new patio! Here are this year’s patio trends:

  • Lighting. A significant player in any courtyard, your lighting can set the mood for a friendly gathering or a romantic encounter. LED technology has brought a new option in custom LEDs: with the appropriate design, LED lights can highlight certain features of your outdoor space. The best part? You can control shade and intensity with just a few clicks on your phone. And speaking of light, shade umbrellas are a great facet on outdoor patios. Look for those that will maximize your outdoor space to give it that extra pop!
  • Mixed Materials. Mixing different materials would have been a no-no in the past. Nonetheless, this trend continues to gain popularity in the last several years. Are you looking to make your patio shine with a bit of sparkle? Then unleash the creativity! Forget about one color, one material patios and step out of the comfort zone to impress your guests. Some of the most refreshing combinations are copper and birch, wicker and aluminum, concrete, and oak. This will also make it easier for you to find outdoor furniture that matches.
  • Fire pits. Outdoor fireplaces have a dual purpose: first, it allows you to enjoy your patio despite cold weather. Just imagine yourself on a chilly afternoon, enjoying a family gathering around comforting flames. Even on warm summer nights, fireplaces make the thought of spending some time outside feel like a great idea. The second purpose is decorative. No doubt, a beautiful fire pit is a focal point in an outdoor space; our decoration experts assure that firepits make any patio look larger. The idea of an outdoor fireplace can be intimidating, but at Fritz Stone Works, we have the best techniques to install and maintain a fire pit. All you have to do is enjoy it!
  • Darker, bolder colors. Having a colorful patio makes it unique and also trendy. Don’t be afraid to go darker, or even charcoal grey. Bold colors make a patio look modern and sleek. Stripes are also a big trend for 2020 and should not be limited to furniture as stripes can be mixed in your materials as well!
  • Sustainable areas. Patios are such a versatile space in one’s home as they are not only a decorative section of the house, but they become a place for memories. This space will be the area your kids will learn to care for plants or the site you’ll host a memorable party or the setting for a romantic moment. But remember, beneath those moments lie a host of tiny ecosystems existing under your feet. So be sure to build your patio with sustainability in mind for the flora and fauna residing under and around your patio. The trend for this year is to make your outdoor areas as sustainable and functional as possible.

If you are looking for inspiration or an expert’s advice on how to make the most of your patio, then call Fritz Stone Works at 636-861-1530 or visit our website at https://fritzstonework.com/ for more information about our services.

Designing Beautiful Outdoor Layouts – The Basics

Designing Beautiful Outdoor Layouts – The Basics

Feb 18, 2020 | hardscape, landscape, landscaping, lighting, pavers, softscape

Landscaping can be split out into two categories: hardscape and softscape. Together they are what make an outdoor layout beautiful. Some elements and items can be added to an outdoor space and turned into a pleasant, functional, and enjoyable area. These are the essential elements of landscaping:

● Hardscape refers to all non-living components of an outdoor space such as stone walls, concrete, brick or paver patios, and metal features. Applied correctly, hardscape elements add functionality and beauty to any outdoor area. Hardscape structures heavily determine the flow and design of any outdoor project.

● Pavers or “concrete pavers” are paving tiles, bricks, or stone generally utilized as an exterior flooring material. While holding a higher value and price point than alternatives such as concrete, pavers have many advantages. They are weather-resistant, can fit in any space, and they can match any design style. An additional great perk is that they are durable and incredibly easy to maintain. Outside of general maintenance such as sweeping and blowing off of natural debris, professional cleaning and sealing every 3-5 years will keep your patio looking great for a lifetime.

● Softscape is the art of setting and maintaining healthy living components in a yard. This includes plants, flowers, trees, shrubs, flower beds, etc. It also involves several tasks such as mowing, fertilization procedures, weed control, pest control, cleanups, mulch installation, and many others –depending on the size and style of the garden. Maintaining the live horticultural elements of a yard requires a certain level of training and expertise. For instance, the seeding process has its specific parameters, the nourishing of the soil, the mowing schedule, fighting weeds, etc.

● Outdoor lighting significantly enhances the beauty of an outdoor space. It serves a dual purpose of functionality and aesthetics. Outdoor lighting refers to lights added into the landscaping, walls, steps, up lights, and spotlights. Lighting adds on coziness and has a welcoming factor –especially useful for those keen on having guests over and allows you to enjoy your outdoor space long into the night.

● There are additional elements to add to an outdoor space such as outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, pools, retaining walls, putting greens, sports courts, pet runs, etc.

With the many attractive options available, it is easy to get overwhelmed when planning and designing your outdoor oasis. So, before committing to a style or purchasing any materials/furniture, consider the following:

● Assess the available space. Surely you want to make the most of the area, but you must consider space limitations, as well as slopes or terrain characteristics. Once you know exactly what parts you can use –and for what purposes –you can begin planning.

● Beauty and functionality. Landscaping is so much more than adding attractive elements to a yard. Design, materials, and furniture, all have to be aligned with the target you have in mind: is this a family-friendly space? Is it designed for adults only? Do you wish to avoid slippery elements for seniors? All of these questions must be answered beforehand.

● Have a budget in mind. With a defined number, it is easier to plan and calculate, not the other way around. If you are lucky enough to have unlimited resources, then you may let your imagination fly!

● Maintenance. Before committing to certain aspects of your landscaping –especially with the living components –ask yourself if you have the will and time to keep it as it was intended. There are artificial components or low-maintenance plants that suit better for busy owners.

Consult an expert. The advantages of hiring professionals to do the job are countless; you will save time, money, and headaches by seeking the input of experts. This will also ensure you have the landscape you’ve dreamt of! St. Louis Select Landscaping has years of expertise in designing, building, and maintaining functional, stunning outside views in the St. Louis area. You can learn more about their services at http://www.stlselectlawn.com/index.php, or you can reach them by phone at (314)568-6550.