Stone Surgery: Give Your Property A Facelift

Stone Surgery: Give Your Property A Facelift

Mar 22, 2021 | curb appeal, lanscape company, outdoor fireplace, outdoor living space, patio, patio pavers, paving, retaining wall, softscape, stone, stone pathway, stonework

The goal of most homeowners is to make their property look great and be a functional space for living, working, and enjoying time with family and friends. On the inside of the home, there are many easy and semi-permanent solutions such as painting the walls, installing new furniture, or remodeling the kitchen. Many people are not aware of the diversity of improvements to the outdoor element of the property that can be installed.

Stonework is not limited to rudimentary patios or unimpressive retaining walls- an experienced mason can accomplish great works of functional art that will leave a lasting impression on your property. Besides the personal and family benefits of installing stonework, another reason to consider making this investment in your outdoor space is curb appeal. This is how your home looks to others (neighbors or potential buyers) at first glance. Stonework will entice them to find out more about you and your property!

Stonework for All Properties

All stonework can be customized with materials, colors, and designs. It isn’t limited to simple rock pathways anymore. There are tons of materials that can make the job simpler and even weather resistant than actual stone in some cases. Pavers are a good example of this; they are pre-formed concrete blocks that come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. The great thing about pavers is that they fit together perfectly, meaning your pathway, patio, or retaining wall will be free of irregular cracking and resist weather damage very effectively!

Stonework is certainly an investment that you may have to save up for, but there are many options that have been created specifically to save time and money while remaining of the highest quality to protect your investment. These projects also do not have to be huge; they can be as simple as an elegant patio or effective retaining wall that reduces erosion and keeps your soil in place. You could even have a fire pit installed for any future neighborhood and family events!

The Importance of Curb Appeal

Curb appeal is one of the biggest reasons to invest in stonework beyond its functionality and beauty- especially if you are selling your property or consider selling it in the future. Stonework is rather permanent and very resistant to weather damage making it age gracefully and remain strong even after years of use. Buyers and neighbors love to see beautiful homes, and those with a functional outdoor space are highly desired especially now that people are trying to get outside more.

Final Thoughts

Your next home improvement project can be elegantly set in stone, and there is no better time than now to get started planning for and designing your hardscape! Stonework is a lasting investment in your property whether the project is small or large, your outdoor space will greatly benefit from it, and you will love the ability to have more outdoor family time, a natural workspace, greater curb appeal, and the best spot in the neighborhood to hang out! With an experienced masonry team like Fritz Stonework, all your hardscape dreams can come to life! Call them today for more information at (636) 861-1530.

Light Up the Night (and Your Landscape)

Light Up the Night (and Your Landscape)

Jan 14, 2021 | custom stonework, hardscape, home appeal, landscape, landscaping, lanscape company, lighting, masonry, outdoors, retaining wall, softscape

Light has always perplexed and inspired humankind from the days of only starlight and campfires to modern electrical marvels. The beauty of light is unparalleled, and before electricity it was quite difficult to sustain lighting in homes or outdoors without a significant risk of fire. However, electricity creates a safe way to make your landscape beautiful in the dark without bringing the heat.

Your landscape is incredibly elegant in the daytime, so why not bring out the suave and glowing beauty of nighttime lighting to your masterfully designed soft and hardscapes? Lighting can turn your nighttime landscape into something from a dream- you may even have dreams about lighting after seeing the results!

Outdoor Lighting

Outdoor lighting is far better for your wallet than it used to be, and far better for the planet too! With waterproof, motion-sensing, solar-powered, and LED options in all styles and colors, there’s no stopping you from achieving the nightscape of your dreams! Installing outdoor lighting doesn’t have to be hard, and there are even options that don’t require wiring or battery changes but rather rely on the sun!

Outdoor lighting lets you stay outside for longer in the Summer and soak in the fresh night air without being drowned in darkness, and while you’re probably not likely to go outside at night much during the winter, you can still appreciate the beauty of your winter landscape and watch the lights dance on the glittering frost and snow of the colder months.

Seasonal Options

When it comes to looking for outdoor lighting for your home, the options are limitless, and the possibilities are only limited to your creativity. This flexibility can come in handy especially if you are a fan of decorating for the holiday season! Many LED lights (the most energy efficient) come in a wide array of colors, and some can even change colors at the push of a button! Holiday decorations have never been so easy!

Come to the Bright Side

Curb appeal is something that many home and business owners are constantly trying to improve. Simply put, curb appeal is how aesthetic your property is at first glance, this is especially important for selling or appraising your home or encouraging customers to visit your business as well as giving you the reputation as the neighbors with the nice house. You can build curb appeal by improving your home and property through a number of ways including landscaping and lighting.

Most homes and businesses do not have much in the way of nighttime curb appeal, but by installing outdoor lighting in a well-planned way, your property can look great at any time of the day making it the talk of the town in the best of ways! You love your property, let that shine by installing outdoor lighting!

Final Thoughts

Outdoor lighting is elegant and beautiful when planned and installed responsibly! The installation of outdoor lighting can show everyone how much you value your property, and this is a very important aspect of building curb appeal! If you need help creating a beautiful landscape or planning energy-efficient and beautiful outdoor lighting, contact Fritz Stonework & Retaining Walls today!

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.