29th Year Anniversary
Serving the Naperville Community
Serving the Naperville Community
 If the idea of a traditional brick patio has you itching for a change, you’re in luck. Today’s market offers a staggering array of choices that make rethinking the traditional brick patio a breeze in Wheaton and Naperville, IL, areas. Whether you want to use brick in innovative ways or freshen up the space with an updated approach, brick is still the “little black dress” of hardscape materials and you may be surprised at just how versatile it is.
Related: 2 Outdoor Design Ideas for a Cozy Brick Patio in Naperville and Hinsdale IL Areas What is Brick? What is “brick” exactly? Traditionally, the term referred to a block made with clay that was used to build walls, pavements, and other masonry elements. Today, “brick” also means blocks made using concrete. The traditional shape was rectangular but today, you can find brick in a variety of shapes. If you want to get away from a traditional herringbone, running bond, or basket weave pattern using reddish bricks, there are plenty of options. Because of the historical feel of brick and its timelessness, it’s one of the most versatile materials for modern hardscapes. Brick pairs with any architectural style including ultra modern. Think of it as a material that brings warmth to your outdoor living space, whether that space is formal or relaxed, dark or light, modern or rustic. The Various Color of Brick When it comes to color, traditional brick relied on the color of the clay it was sourced from. This meant that different regions of the country (or the world) would have different colored clay, ranging from near white to charcoal, but mostly reddish. This gives brick a wonderful depth of character since no two regions have exactly the same composition of clay. With concrete technology, the color choices are expanded to include bricks made with blended colors. If you still want to use traditionally shaped bricks but want to give your outdoor living space extra personality, you could blend two or three colors together randomly onsite. One or more of these colors could pick up colors on the home, or in the environment. Trends in Brick A modern trend is to use bricks in an assortment of sizes in random bundles, for example, bundles of small rectangles, large rectangles, and medium squares; these are laid in an easygoing ashlar pattern. This approach gives your patio a relaxed look that lets you enjoy the earthy tones of brick without the traditional brick look. Another trend is to use large format brick pavers, for example, 24” square or 12”x36” rectangles. This gives you the warmth of brick in a less busy format. Fewer joint lines make your patio or walkway feel smoother and more like a solid surface, which helps to make small spaces feel larger. You can also use mixed materials for a fresh modern look. Mixing and matching hardscape materials such as brick and natural stone lets you get creative and play with patterns, abstract designs, or geometric designs. There’s something wonderfully appealing about mixing colors, for example, the reds of brick alongside the blues of bluestone or the greys of granite. Using Traditional Brick as a Border Traditional brick can also be used as a border or accent in virtually any surface including natural stone, concrete pavers, poured concrete. Since you can find a wide assortment of colors from a variety of “brick red” tones to soft tans, pinks, steely blues, and dramatic charcoal, you will be able to find the perfect match for any surface you’re considering for your patio, walkway, or driveway. Finally, traditional brick sizes lend themselves to unusual laying patterns including circular, fan, or freeform - this lets you create artistic inlays on a patio that uses different materials. And, it gives any space a custom feel. Related: How Contractors Turn the Fire Pit Into the Focus of the Patio in Naperville IL
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 The changing climate is one of the biggest problems in the world and individual humans can actually do quite a lot to help fix it. One of the most important steps homeowners can take is to adopt an ecologically-conscious landscape design. That doesn’t mean that anyone needs to turn their landscape into a barren moonscape filled with succulents. A few tweaks can make a huge difference. Here are four eco-friendly landscape design ideas for Naperville, IL homes.
Related: 4 Landscape Design Ideas for Warm and Welcoming Backyards in Wheaton and Hinsdale IL Areas Permeable Pavers for Controlling Runoff In a natural environment, rain seeps into the ground and any excess flows downstream on the surface. Solid surface driveways (asphalt and concrete) decrease the surface area of the ground that can absorb rainwater and increases runoff. Permeable pavers are a good solution for this issue as they let rain absorb between the joints into a special substrate so water enters the ground naturally. Permeable pavers can be used on driveways, walkways, patios, and pool decks, and come in a variety of gorgeous colors, textures, and styles. LED Landscape Lighting A few steps can dramatically reduce your electrical use while you enjoy an attractively and safely illuminated landscape. The first step is to replace incandescent or halogen fixtures with low-voltage LED lighting. The second step is to create a strategic lighting plan to illuminate an area in ways that don’t destroy the nighttime appeal, yet provide plenty of safety and activity-appropriate lighting. Old-school floodlights mounted on the side of the house produce a wide and inconsistent spectrum of light from bright and direct glares to harsh and contrasting shadows. However, strategically-placed LED lights along a path or set into a masonry retaining wall will never interfere with eyesight and create a safe and pleasing ambiance and completely change the feel of your backyard. Xeriscaping with Native Plants Xeriscaping is rooted in being in harmony with nature and making the conscious choice to populate your landscape with an array of beautiful native plants that are perfectly suited to thrive in your ecosystem. Native plants are adapted to harsh winter and summer conditions and don’t need more water than what the region provides in rainfall and snowfall. Many homeowners are replacing sections of their lawn with natives - effectively eliminating the “food desert” expanses of grass that provide no habitat for local wildlife. More Living Space, Less Work If you don’t have a need for a lawn - for example, if you don’t have kids or a dog - then you could consider expanding the size of your outdoor living space using permeable pavers and replacing part of your lawn with xeriscaping. First, you’ll use your backyard more if you have an attractive and functional space to hang out and entertain in; and second, you’ll reduce your water use as well as the time needed to maintain the landscape. As well, if you make your backyard an attractive place for local wildlife and pollinators, you’ll have a much more vibrant place to call your own. Professional Irrigation Decrease water use while encouraging a lush and beautiful landscape with a professional irrigation system. Automatic timers and settings can be calibrated for specific plants in each location, all in a system that stays out of sight, out of mind. This eliminates the need for waking up super early in the morning to water the landscape before the daytime summer heat bears down. While drastically reducing the amount of water needed for proper irrigation, you can sleep in or focus on the next great eco-project! Related: 3 Landscaping Tips to Refresh and Rejuvenate a Backyard in Hinsdale IL and Wheaton IL Areas  The right driveway material and design can enhance the aesthetic appeal of your property, reduce maintenance efforts and replacement costs, and even lower your home’s eco-footpring. If you are looking to spruce up your driveway this year, here are 6 driveway trends for 2021 in Wheaton and Hinsdale, IL, areas.
Related: Are Your New Landscape Design and Driveway Winter-Ready in Hinsdale IL In-Laid Lighting Lighting your way home is a nice welcoming touch. Give your driveway a modern flair by installing inlaid lighting along the edges of the driveway - completely unobtrusive at night and gently guiding the way after dark, it’s a chic alternative to the single light-on-a-post from the last century. You can also disguise light fixtures by installing them in masonry retaining walls, and lining one side of your driveway with a low wall gives it a chic “welcome to the castle” look that boosts curb appeal. Personalized Paver Layouts The beauty of modern design is that you can do whatever you want when it comes to using materials. A random paver laying pattern will give your driveway a relaxed and fresh look. If you want to make a statement, a bold geometric or asymmetrical pattern will add a modern touch and individual flair. Or, opt for a minimalist look, with a poured concrete driveway with subtle accent pavers that add style. Jazz up an asphalt driveway with the addition of a cobblestone apron at the entry to the driveway (and echoed with a cobblestone walkway). Driveway Heating Systems Pavers, and even asphalt and concrete, can be made much safer and virtually maintenance-free in winter with the installation of a driveway heating system (this can be done while installing a new driveway). Permeable Pavers You may have seen concrete or PVC grid systems that you can lay on a driveway and fill with gravel or grass. These are effective at channeling rainfall and snowmelt into the ground. They are ideal for rural driveways but leave something to be desired in terms of design, making them less than ideal for suburban applications. A great way to minimize runoff and naturally replenish the aquifer is to use permeable pavers. These are concrete pavers that look just like any other concrete paver and can mimic the look of brick, cobblestones, flagstone, or granite. The joints between the pavers are larger, and filled with a permeable jointing sand; and, the driveway is set on a special substrate that encourages water to permeate through to the soil below. Aside from the eco-friendliness of these systems, paver driveways are attractive; and if you’re concerned about damage from snowplows, you can install a driveway heating system that will eliminate the need for plowing; and any melting snow will seep into the ground rather than overwhelming the municipal storm drain system. Add Landscaping Ornamental trees such as magnolia, cherry, or maple lining the driveway give your driveway a “designed” look that’s eye-catching and glamorous - even when the trees are still young. Tall and stately cedars give your driveway a luxe Mediterranean villa appeal. Be careful to plant spreading trees far enough away from the driveway to avoid scratching vehicles. Natural Cobblestone Natural cobblestones have been used for thousands of years - in fact, there are Roman cobblestone roads in Europe that are still in use today! While the initial investment is higher, and you’ll need to invest in a driveway heating system to avoid scratching the cobbles with plows, it’s a one-time investment because cobblestones are virtually indestructible, not to mention beautiful! Related: Why Choose Pavers Over Asphalt for Your Naperville, IL, Driveway  If you’re installing a new retaining wall, does this mean it has to be “just a wall”? No. A retaining wall is the ideal opportunity to add interest and practicality to your landscape that goes beyond simply holding back earth and creating more outdoor living space. If you need ideas, here’s why your new retaining wall needs a water feature in Wheaton and Naperville, IL, areas.
Related: Benefits of a Retaining Wall for Your Downers Grove IL Property Do you “need” a water feature? Water is an irresistible draw for young and old. Everyone enjoys the sounds and sights of a fountain and in our experience, our clients often say, “I wish I had installed a fountain sooner.” In today’s increasingly stressful world, everyone could use more nature, to unplug and enjoy its serenity. So while a water feature may feel like an indulgence, on some level it’s a necessity that helps you relax more deeply and pull away from your stresses. If nothing else, it could mask the sounds of traffic, which will greatly increase your ability to enjoy an afternoon nap on the patio. Incorporating a water feature into a retaining wall can transform a boring wall into a stunning focal point. There are many style choices to choose from, depending on how intense you want the flow of water to be, the size of the fountain, and whether you will use a catch basin or a pool. The design of a fountain is about more than just aesthetics. Each type of fountain - as well as its height from the ground - determines how fast and how much water flows from it, and how far it falls. A fountain could provide subtle background sounds reminiscent of a babbling brook, or a more dramatic rush of water that comes from a high waterfall. Which type of fountain should you choose? Wall fountains can be large or small in size. Some can be inset into the wall so that water is coming out from the wall itself, while others are installed onto the face of the wall. One or several sheer descent waterfalls that come from the wall itself is one of the most popular ways to jazz up a retaining wall with a dramatic water curtain effect. This type of fountain is perfectly suited for a chic, modern space with smooth textures and clean lines. A Roman-style attached fountain could dress up a traditional, more formal patio with brick or quarry stone surfaces. A more relaxed yet sophisticated space could be created using a series of clay (or resin) pots set into the wall’s masonry, allowing water to spill from one pot into one another. Plan carefully! Plan a water feature carefully to make the process smooth right from the beginning. Plan for the pump’s electrical needs as well as electricity to power landscape lighting in and/or around the fountain. Plan the placement, avoiding locations under deciduous trees that will continually drop leaves, flowers, or fruit into your fountain. Make sure that the catch basin won’t pose a hazard to small children - even a few inches of water is too deep with little ones running around. Be sure that the area in front of the fountain is a solid surface, either natural stone or concrete pavers or decorative pebbles. Any water that splashes out of the fountain could quickly turn a grassy area into an unattractive mud pit. Whichever style of fountain you choose, your retaining wall will become a focal point in your landscape. Related: 4 Landscape Design Ideas for Warm and Welcoming Backyards in Wheaton and Hinsdale IL Areas  There are few outdoor spaces more charming than those that use brick. If spending a lot of extra time on your patio in 2020 made you aware of its shortcomings, now is the perfect time to plan ahead for the coming outdoor season and design a patio you’ll be thrilled to use every day. Here are 2 outdoor design ideas for a cozy brick patio in Naperville and Hinsdale, IL, areas. Related: How Contractors Turn the Fire Pit Into the Focus of the Patio in Naperville IL 1. Fire and Food Give people a reason to go outside, even once the summer is over. Let’s start by creating a focal point where everyone will gather year ‘round: an outdoor fireplace! In a smaller space, a fireplace is preferable to a fire pit; only because a fire pit needs to be located more or less centrally to make for easy traffic flow - and this can make the space feel choppy and awkward. By contrast, an outdoor fireplace can be positioned in a corner of the patio, to create a more intimate experience that’s outside of the flow of traffic. The fireplace is its own entity, and building it with brick could result in too much brick in the space, making it feel visually cramped. If you like, you can use brick accents on its face, but use a complementary material whether it’s natural stone, poured concrete, or manufactured stone (concrete veneers). Add a wood-fired pizza oven to your fireplace, and you’ve just created “the” place to be, in virtually any season! If you enjoy grilling, positioning the grill in relative proximity to the fireplace will create a hub of outdoor living. This means the rest of your patio could be assigned to more relaxed activities, such as relaxing with a good book. Related: Check Out These Landscape Design Ideas for Large Naperville, IL Properties 2. Separate Zones A patio is generally thought of as a single space with different activity zones. This is one approach, but it’s not the only one. Mini-patios could be the answer to creating intimacy in a large backyard. Depending on the layout of your backyard, you could also create a series of smaller, interconnected yet separate patios. This works especially well if you have a sloped backyard but thoughtful use of plantings and other physical barriers can create outdoor rooms, much like indoor rooms are separated by walls in your home. Each of these mini-patios could be paved with the same brick, but the laying patterns could be different; the patios could be tied together with a series of brick walkways laid in a consistent pattern. If you want to stick with one larger patio, it’s best to use a consistent laying pattern to prevent an already busy brick patio from becoming too busy. A basket weave pattern is one of the most popular patio laying patterns since the eye isn’t drawn in a straight line (such as a running bond pattern). The classic herringbone pattern is also popular on patios. If you use a basket weave pattern, you could alter the orientation of the pattern to define individual spaces. For example, you could create an outdoor “rug” in the fireside lounge area by rotating the orientation of the bricks 45 degrees; within this “rug” the pavers could remain in a basket weave pattern, or you could try a simpler running bond pattern in this space only. This is a beautiful approach that brings attention to the inherent charm and beauty of brick. Related: Are Your New Landscape Design and Driveway Winter-Ready in Hinsdale IL 3 Landscaping Tips to Refresh and Rejuvenate a Backyard in Hinsdale IL and Wheaton IL Areas12/3/2020  This year has seen an unprecedented shift toward backyard living; partly out of necessity, and partly out of a realization that nature really is the best place to spend one’s free time. If your backyard felt like it was lacking in amenities that could have made the summer more enjoyable, here are 3 landscaping tips to refresh and rejuvenate a backyard in Hindsdale, IL, and Wheaton, IL, areas.
Related: Check Out These Landscape Design Ideas for Large Naperville, IL Properties 1. A Patio That Reflects Your Lifestyle You probably spend the majority of your outdoor time on the patio. If your patio is too small - if people are tripping over each other and the space feels cramped - or if it doesn’t fit with your design theme, then investing in a new outdoor living space will yield significant returns in your enjoyment of your property. Make a list of all the ways you want to enjoy your outdoor space, and then think about designs and amenities that will meet those needs. For example, if you’re a passionate cook who loves to share meals with a large family, you will have different needs than someone whose primary means of enjoying their outdoor spaces is to kick back with a good book, and still different needs than a family with young children that needs plenty of space for kids to play and burn off energy. An avid gardener or someone who loves a wilder, more natural landscape won’t need much lawn, but will be enthralled with “secret” walkways that lead to intimate paver patios where one can sit among the flowers. Someone who loves to relax and share good conversation around a fire will want a cozy fire pit or outdoor fireplace area, and position it so that it’s out of the main traffic flow between the home and the outdoor cooking area. 2. Quiet Spaces Life is stressful enough without being able to get away to your favorite spots where you feel serene and happy. You can create a private getaway in an unused corner of your backyard, or even a side yard, with a few simple additions: a privacy fence (this could be a wood privacy fence, or a living wall); a natural stone or paver surface to keep the spot free of mud; comfortable seating such as a lounge chair or even a hammock; shelter such as a gazebo, if you want to use this space in inclement weather; landscape lighting to set the mood at night; plants that make you feel secure, happy, and peaceful; and a special treat in the form of a small fountain that will help mask the sounds of traffic and neighbors. Placing your zen getaway close to your WiFi router can mean that you can even take work meetings or chip away at a deadline in the serenity of nature. Related: Check Out These Landscape Design Ideas for Large Naperville, IL Properties 3. Fire and Water Fire is a hugely important element for getting people to enjoy their outdoor spaces more. A fireplace or fire pit will instantly extend your outdoor season throughout the winter, giving you a reason to get outside even when it’s cold outside. Water is the most soothing or, depending on the type of water feature, energizing element you can add to your landscape. Anything from a chic water wall next to your outdoor dining space, to a waterfall that livens up a corner of your backyard, to a serene reflecting pool at your front entry brings a completely fresh energy to your outdoor spaces. Related: 3 Landscaping Ideas for Making Your Naperville, IL Property More Useful 4 Landscape Design Ideas for Warm and Welcoming Backyards in Wheaton and Hinsdale IL Areas11/22/2020  Creating an outdoor living space suited for gatherings big and small is the goal of many homeowners. Every square foot of the backyard should be utilized at some point either for entertaining, working, or just relaxing. One of the best ways to start thinking about improving your outdoor living space is to start with an overarching theme. Consider your location and surrounding architectural styles that may perfectly suit your home and landscape. Much of America is situated on or near farmland, so a farmhouse atmosphere might be an attractive option for your landscape. Here are 4 landscape design ideas for warm and welcoming backyards in Wheaton and Hinsdale, IL areas.
Related: Honoring the Land Sometimes doing too much landscaping work to land could negatively affect the feel of the overall space. If gifted by a gorgeous open area, keep some of it natural so that nothing feels forced. Using an open concept with your landscape, it could be planned that certain sections of your backyard have certain uses while plenty of it remains untouched. This allows transitions between each area that exemplify the relaxed atmosphere of living the country life while still enjoying the conveniences of the modern world. Work with your landscape design team to preserve this relaxed atmosphere and still get the most out of it while keeping a clean design. Inspired By Nature Keep a sense of harmony with your surrounding area as much as possible. Your land has had native plants growing on it for far longer than any of us have been around. Those plants are perfectly suited for living there and will help achieve that level of harmony. Use native plants as your advantage; they are just as attractive and easier to maintain than their exotic cousins. Keep wild grasses growing as best as possible. Avoid incorporating plants and grass that need extra watering. Plant local flowers in different areas that will attract harmless bees that will then help pollinate the rest of your plant life. Best yet, plan your outdoor living space around natural features like rock outcroppings and shade trees to best give tribute to the beautiful land. The Right Colors for a Warm Welcome Barn-red has become such a staple in the American farmhouse aesthetic, but bright colors don’t need to dominate your landscape. Pops of color can be interesting but don’t go overboard, to avoid distracting the eye from the natural beauty that already exists. By using soft or neutral colors, you can subtly bring attention to the surrounding landscape and enhance the visual balance of your landscape. In general, earth tones feel warm and welcoming while cool tones offer a more sophisticated appearance. A Cozy Gathering Space One of the oldest gathering places for humans has been the fire. By building a fire pit or outdoor fireplace on your patio, you can ensure the fire will be the center of activity regardless of season. Fire pits, although primal in a sense, can be beautiful and honor the local area using locally sourced stone or concrete wall units that look as though they could have been picked from the landscape. Work with your landscape design team to come up with the perfect location for your fire pit - one that’s not far from the house, but far enough away to feel like a separate area. Related:  When the weather gets colder, nothing beats a warm place to bring friends and family together in your backyard. If you’re planning on enjoying the crisp air while being comforted by the warmth, check out how contractors turn the fire pit into the focus of the patio in Naperville, IL.
Related: 3 Landscaping Ideas for Making Your Naperville, IL Property More Useful 1. Where’s the best place to put it? When you’re making decisions about your fire pit, you need to consider the location first. Look at the shape of your patio and how it relates to the backyard. Come up with a few different spots you would like to sit with others and put a chair in that spot, then sit down for a few minutes and see how you feel. The thing is, you probably want to resist the urge to put your firepit in the center of the patio unless it’s a very large patio. Yet, you should also consider how many people you want to fit around the fire pit. Offsetting might be the best way to go. A fire pit in the dead center of the patio would dominate your space usage and maybe prevent it being used for other things like a walkway, table, grill, etc. Consider the best place to have a view from where you’ll sit. Lastly, which direction does the wind from? The best place for a fire pit is somewhere sheltered where you won’t be battered by strong, freezing winds. 2. How big should it be? Even the tiniest fire pit can become a focal point as long as it’s placed in the best way. However, don’t forget that the size of the fire pit also decides the amount of seating area you get. The best idea here is to plan accordingly: find the happy medium between a place for friends to gather and a place for some intimate one-on-one time. Seat walls allow permanent seating around a fire pit that makes all group sizes comfortable. Seat walls also double as a physical barrier between wind and a fire pit. Don’t go crazy with seat walls. Imagine that with a group gathering, some of your friends or family like to sit while others like to stand. And don’t forget that you can always fill the extra space with chairs if necessary. So, consider building seat walls halfway around the fire pit to allow maximum versatility and, to clearly define fire pit space, face the seat walls so that you get the fire and the view in the same direction. 3. What materials should I use? It all depends on whether you want a portable or a permanent fire pit. You might opt for a portable fire pit if you don’t entertain very often or don’t want your patio space to be committed for one purpose. Or you could choose a permanent fire pit which allows you to pay tribute to the gorgeous patio materials, your historical home, or the landscape you fell in love with. 4. What else should I consider? High-backed seat walls give you the same amount of space as backless seat walls. However, they serve as a much cozier - and warmer - option as they both protect your fire pit space from wind and reflect the heat. Of course, cushions are necessary but there are many wonderful weather-proof options available. High-backed seat walls don’t mean you need to obscure any views from the rest of the patio either. A sunken fire pit allows you to create a more intimate space below the grade of the patio that also holds heat even better. The possibilities for fun are endless. Related: 4 Seating Options For Your Fire Pit in Wheaton and Hinsdale IL Areas  Here are 4 outdoor lighting ideas to highlight water features and other focal points in Wheaton and Hinsdale, IL areas. These lighting ideas let you capture the beauty of your landscape when the lights go down at night, and extend your enjoyment of your landscape. This could mean capturing a similar feeling like the drama or serenity that’s on display during the day; or creating a different look altogether. Keep reading for some tips on enhancing your nighttime outdoor lighting plan and adding reflective surfaces to create visual interest.
Related: 4 Seating Options For Your Fire Pit in Wheaton and Hinsdale IL Areas Tranquility Nothing captures tranquility like the gentle light from a reflecting pool. That feeling is the ebb and flow of swaying grasses and the shimmering sounds of leaves. The pool itself will evoke that feeling by reflecting the colors of the changing sky - from the deep reds of sunrise and sunset to the sharp blues of mid-day. Even the gentle greys from clouds are amplified by the still water. Strategically placing outdoor lighting allows you to create a serene space seemingly illuminated from natural sources. By blending the light sources into plantings like under vegetation and along vertical lines will enable a natural ambience that complements the unique nature of your home and landscape. Look-at-Me Drama Placing outdoor lighting inside a reflecting pool will have the opposite effect of serenity. It will remain relatively peaceful except on windy days when the tiny waves on the surface will cause the light to reflect and dance. This is because water remains an excellent transmitter of light and even submersible lighting sources will still wash the entire landscape in a bath of light. The same goes for a swimming pool. The submersible lighting creates stronger reflections and still washes the landscape in light, which will become much more lively as swimmers interact with the light sources. Placing lights outside of the reflecting pool will also have some advantages. Illuminating a nearby tree underneath will cause an interesting reflection of the tree onto the pool, which will dramatically change the feeling of the landscape. To go even further, change the color of the bulbs to evoke strong emotions and add timers that rotate through several different colors. A Little of Both Having the option to choose between serene and dramatic lighting options will greatly enhance adaptability to different moods. By choosing to have more control over the lighting, you can expand the capabilities of your landscape to enhance the overall feeling of outdoor living. Waterfalls Waterfalls have all the potential to be enhanced by outdoor lighting. Whether lighting is pointed at the face of the waterfall or from behind, there is endless opportunity to make waterfalls shine at night too. When lighting is pointed at the face of the waterfall, it gives opportunity to show the feeling of the waterfall as a whole. Lighting the waterfall from behind the water allows the rock formations to shine as water dances over the top. Planning for Summer You don’t want all the glorious summer fun to end once the sun goes down. By installing outdoor lighting throughout your backyard, you can increase the safety of your outdoor living space while inspiring a feeling of joy in everyone. Start planning for next summer now so that you can keep the fun going throughout. Related: 3 Landscaping Ideas for Making Your Naperville, IL Property More Useful  The leaves may be falling and the air feels more brisk every morning, which means Old Man Winter is on the way. Are your new landscape design and driveway winter-ready in Hinsdale, IL? Here are some tips for making your life easier this winter.
Related: 4 Seating Options For Your Fire Pit in Wheaton and Hinsdale IL Areas 1. Simple Landscaping Around the Driveway Shrubs and flower beds along a driveway are beautiful to look at, but they can take a real beating in the winter. Careless plowing, or even simply the sheer weight of wet, packed down snow (whether shoveled or plowed) can crush shrubs and make a huge mess come spring. De-icing salts can also kill plants surrounding your driveway. While there is no perfect solution to this ongoing problem, simply minimizing ornamental plantings around your driveway will save you a lot of headache. You will still need to refresh grass that may have been damaged by plows or by the weight of added snow - but you won’t have to be replacing shrubs or raking mulch back into a plant bed. 2. Install a Driveway Heating System If you haven’t already installed a new driveway, don’t take another step before considering the benefits of a driveway heating system. You may never have to shovel or plow again… and you can install heating systems under concrete pavers (for a serious up-leveling of your driveway’s curb appeal) or under asphalt or concrete. There are two types of electric driveway heating systems to consider: a heat-generating mat, or a coil system containing antifreeze. Both can be automatically activated when sensors detect precipitation or freezing temperatures. This way you never have to wonder whether you remembered to turn the system on, and the system automatically conserves energy by shutting off when temperatures are above freezing. While your electric bill will be higher, this cost can be partially or completely offset by not having to hire snow plow services. Bonus: if you haven’t installed a new patio or walkways yet, consider installing a heating system there as well. This will make your patio a much more usable and pleasant place to be on chilly days (especially if you have a fireplace or fire pit). And, it will make your front entry walkway much safer. Another bonus is that a heating system also eliminates the need to use de-icing salts, which makes your landscaping very happy… and since no additional snow will need to be thrown or pushed onto your landscaping, you could install attractive planting beds along your driveway - and your driveway will be the envy of the neighborhood all year long! 3. Add a Fireplace or Fire Pit And speaking of fire… a roaring fire really takes the chill out of winter. Imagine sitting bundled up in your favorite fleece blanket, sipping hot cocoa, and sharing laughter and conversation with family and friends around the fire. Fire pits are more casual and they come in both portable and permanent versions. For an authentic campfire experience where you can cook food over an open flame and enjoy a hotter burning fire, go with a wood fire pit. For more convenience and ease (no dealing with wood and no smoke in the eyes), choose natural gas or propane. Outdoor fireplaces are more stylish and help to create an outdoor living room vibe in the backyard. Related: Achieve a More Welcoming Home With an Upgraded Driveway in Wheaton, IL |
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