Category: Bethesda MD

Bethesda MD Heated Driveways And Walkways

Anyone familiar with the Fallout gaming franchise knows the name ‘Bethesda’. The games are created by Bethesda studios, who actually placed the town of Bethesda, MD within their Fallout 3 game. This beautiful, vibrant, unincorporated town in Maryland is know far and wide for its thriving art, culture and business community. The cold, snows Bethesda experiences can begin as early as November, and last up until March. According to the Old Farmers Almanac, in 2018, they will experience the most snowfall beginning in early December, then late January and the last in the middle of February. With the prospect of snow occurring off and on for around 4 months, it makes perfect sense to find an easy way to manage your snow removal. For many people, that solution is to install outdoor radiant heating, and at East Coast Landscape and design, we can do just that, provide you with heated driveways and walkways for your Bethesda, MD home or business property.

 

Outdoor Radiant Heating Technology Makes All the Difference

 

Outdoor radiant heating is also known as snow melt technology or snow melt system. Its purpose is to ensure that your driveway, walkway, steps, patio or deck remain free from snow and ice accumulation. This technology is not only for home use, you can find this it being used in cafes and restaurants that have outdoor seating, warehouse delivery areas, walk-up ramps, and assisted living facilities. As you can see, outdoor radiant heating technology, or snow melt technology, can be used anywhere you wish to remain snow and ice free.

 

Radiant heating can be installed using one of two methods: hydronic or electric. Just as the name implies, hydronic means a water based system. Here, a mix of water and antifreeze is pumped through tubes beneath the pavement. As the mixture circulates, it heats up the pavement, melting the snow on the surface. The second method is electric. This involves either metal rods or heavy electric cables. When turned on, the electric current begins to warm up the surface. Once installed, this system is maintenance free, so no worries about having to pay for future maintenance costs. At East Coast Landscape and Design, we are able to install heated driveways and walkways for any home or business in Bethesda, MD that requires it.

 

Why Not Just Shovel or Use Salt?

 

Shoveling thick, heavy, wet snow taxes the heart. It puts so much strain on the cardiac system, that many individuals fall ill or worse, suffer a heart attack. Let’s face it, not everyone is an athlete, or in top physical shape, so to go from sedentary to heart pumping physical activity is very dangerous. As for deicers, they pose their own problem. Deicers are products such as rock salt and chemicals which melt snow and ice. These chemicals not only damage your concrete, but also are hazardous to pets, wildlife, vegetation and the environment. Finally, when you consider the cost of a lawsuit in case someone slips and falls on your driveway in this litigious world, you’ll realize the crucial importance of installing outdoor radiant heating, especially for your business.

 

Allows You to Enjoy Your Outdoor Living Areas

 

Those of you who enjoy your outdoor living areas in the spring and summer, need not give up grilling and entertaining in the winter months. How can this be? If you thought “outdoor radiant heating” you’d be right! In fact, more and more people are installing this heating system underneath their decks, patios, and baloney’s, than ever before. Imagine, once you have your heating system installed, you can grill and even entertain in the middle of December. Get your party plans ready, erect some colorful outdoor lighting, decorate your home, bushes and trees, and cater your entire Christmas dinner straight from your grill. You can even have this radiant heating embedded withing the concrete that surrounds your outdoor hot tub, so you can enjoy a relaxing, hot soak in the middle of a snowy, wintry, white wonderland.

 

Conclusion

When it comes down to it, you want the absolute best for your residential or commercial property. At East Coast Landscape and Design, our professional, licensed workers are able to install heated driveways and walkways for your home or business needs. Simply contact us at 301-421-4141 and discuss the matter fully with one of our highly trained, customer service staff. There, they’ll be more than happy to explain the benefits of adding a radiant heating system to your property. These heating systems increase the value of your property, as well. We pay close attention to our clients needs, and will base our installation projects on the size of your driveway, the area you want handled, plus explain to you the procedure involved. Call us today, and have us come out to visit you, tomorrow.

Posted on Author adminCategories Bethesda MD, driveway design

Bethesda MD Heated Driveways

If you’ve lived here for any length of time at all, then you know why Bethesda MD heated driveways are so popular.  Shoveling snow is tough!  It’s hard, thankless work, and even worse, it’s only a temporary fix.  The very next time it starts to snow, all your hard work is undone.  That’s no good.

Bethesda MD heated driveways are an incredibly convenient solution to a job that almost no one likes to do.  More than that though, they can help keep you safe, because every year, thousands of people wind up having to go to the doctor or their chiropractor after they strain or sprain their back shoveling snow.

They’re also good for your driveway’s health.  If you don’t have a heated driveway, then you’re left having to apply salt on a regular basis to keep the ice at bay, which can be very damaging to the surface of your driveway, and force you into the position of having to make expensive repairs on a regular basis.

Bethesda MD heated driveways come in two varieties:  Electric coil and Hydronic.  We’ll outline how both types work below.

Electric coil systems feature metal rods that are strategically placed beneath the surface of your driveway.  When you activate the system, electric current heats the rods, which heats the surface of your driveway in turn, causing the snow to melt.  They tend to be somewhat more flexible than hydronic systems because you can more precisely control the temperature.

Hydronic systems rely on a network of tubing placed under your driveway.  When this type of system is activated, the tubing is flooded with a mixture of hot water and antifreeze.  As with the electric coil system, this mixture heats the surface of your driveway and before you know it, the snow is gone!

In general, hydronic systems cost a little more to install, but cost less each winter to operate.

As to which system is right for you and your property, that mostly comes down to personal preference, although one may be a better fit than the other, given the particulars of your property.

We can help you determine that.  When you call on us, we’ll put our 25+ years of experience to work for you.  An expert will come out to visit your property to assess the situation and make a recommendation.  He’ll also provide you with a no-obligation estimate so you’ve got a firm understanding of the cost of the project.

Then, when you’re comfortable, we’ll begin the work of turning your dream into a reality.  Before you know it, shoveling snow will be a thing of the past for you.  No more back breaking work, no more headaches and no more hassles!

Posted on Author adminCategories Bethesda MD, driveway design

Water Feature Bethesda MD

Adding a water feature to a Bethesda, MD property can add lasting beauty, and benefit the environment. Birds and butterflies are automatically drawn to water, whether it is a bird bath or tiered fountain. If it is properly designed and placed, the water feature can easily become the focal point of the yard. With a few chairs grouped around, it can be a serene and comfortable place for family and friends to gather. East Coast Landscape Design understands that their clients view their properties as investments, and will work closely with them to help them create a water feature that is right for them.

While property owners often find it difficult to install a water feature in their Bethesda, MD yards themselves, the professionals at East Coast Landscape Design will show their clients that it is easier than they think. Their talented designers, skilled stonemasons and certified electricians will ensure that the finished project meets and exceeds their clients’ expectations. The team from East Coast Landscape Design will be on hand through every step of the project, from the start to the finish. It is this commitment to their customers that has helped make them one of the premier landscaping and contracting companies in the area.

Some of the water features East Coast Landscape Design often plans and installs for their residential and commercial clients include,

  • Ponds with or without waterfalls
  • Koi ponds
  • Tiered fountains
  • Dry creek beds

East Coast Landscape Design is proud of their record for providing exceptional service at a competitive price. Working closely with their clients they will design and install a water feature that meets their budgets, while also enhancing the overall appearance of the property. East Coast Landscape Designs also knows that the size and placement of the water feature is just as important as its appearance. If it is too large it can overwhelm the existing landscaping, and ones that are too small can easily become lost. This is why East Coast Landscape Design will carefully evaluate the property before starting the project.

There are numerous benefits to adding a water feature to a Bethesda, MD property, and very few drawbacks. This is especially true if it was designed and installed by professionals. While there are DIY kits available for sale, if property owners want something that will last for years they are best off letting a landscaping company handle the job. With over thirty years of experience, East Coast Landscape Design is well qualified to plan and create almost any water feature their clients can envision.

When it’s time to put a water feature on a Bethesda, MD property trust the project to Mark Simpson and his staff at East Coast Landscape Design.

Posted on Author adminCategories Bethesda MD, water feature, water features

Landscape Design Bethesda, MD

The best landscape design in Bethesda, MD, turns the diverse sections of a property into a cohesive whole. Instead of this shady spot, that hilly area or that rocky section over there, the property becomes a seamless design, fully accessible and usable, filled with color and beauty.

Add Beauty

Landscape design in Bethesda, MD, lets the natural beauty of the terrain shine through. A professional knows how to make the most of the various sections of the yard. Shady areas are no longer too dark and tucked away for regular use. Instead, they become relaxing spots in hot weather, filled with shrubs and plants that thrive in that type of environment.

By drawing the house and yard together, the designer is able to create a seamless look to the entire yard. The home’s architectural style becomes an essential element in the grand design. Yard enhances home, and vice versa.

Add Functionality

A designer has the experience and training to make the most out of every nook and cranny of a yard. With the strategic use of retaining walls, pathways and other hardscapes, he can make previously inaccessible areas easy to get to. Hilly slopes can be graded and rocky areas smoothed over. Chronically muddy spots fixed by using natural drainage solutions, like dry creek beds.

A skilled designer knows how to create zones of use throughout the property. This makes it easier for every member of the family to enjoy the space. For example, children have their own play area, away from the vegetable garden. There are places for entertaining and for quiet times.

Add Value

This beauty, accessibility and functionality add value to the house. One of the big things that an effective landscape design in Bethesda, MD, brings to a property is curb appeal. This means the yard grabs the attention of prospective homebuyers as they drive by. And that’s half the battle when a person is trying to sell his home.

In a crowded marketplace, just getting the buyer to stop to tour the house is a major accomplishment. When the prospect loves the look of a house, due to skilled landscape design work, the house is likely to sell more quickly and for a higher price.

Work with Professionals

East Coast Landscape Design has been helping homeowners make the most of their outdoor living space for over 30 years. During that time, they have earned a reputation for close communication with each client, creative design work, expert craftsmanship and caring customer service.

East Coast handles a variety of outdoor work, including:

  • Landscape design
  • Firepits and fireplaces
  • Outdoor lighting and kitchens
  • Retaining walls, erosion control and drainage solutions
  • Driveways, pathways and patios

For an estimate, contact the professionals at East Coast Landscape Design today.

Posted on Author adminCategories Bethesda MD, landscape design

Fire Pits Bethesda MD

For more than thirty years, Mark Simpson and his team at East Coast Landscape Design have been helping their clients bring their dreams for their properties to life. Their years of experience has made them uniquely qualified to take on any landscaping project, including the design and construction of fire pits on Bethesda, MD properties. East Coast Landscape Design works closely with their clients to ensure that the finished project meets and exceeds their dreams for the property. It is this commitment to their customers’ complete satisfaction that has made them one of the premier licensed landscaping companies in the Washington, D.C. metro area.

Outdoor living spaces are evolving from simple areas with a few chairs and a grill. Now property owners can add an array of features and amenities. Along with adding customized seating and decorative built-in planters, fire pits are becoming popular with Bethesda, MD property owners. A fire pit can provide warmth on cool evenings and create an inviting place for family and friends to gather. The size and design of a fire pit can also vary, making it easy for clients to find one that is perfect for their property and their budgets.

When clients are interested in having fire pits built on their Bethesda, MD properties, East Coast Landscape Design knows the right questions to ask. They realize that their customers’ view their properties as investments. This is one of the reasons they take the time to ensure that the fire pit is functional, and adds value to the property. Some of the design options East Coast Landscape Design offers to their clients include,

  • Type of fuel burned.
  • Size and location
  • Materials used
  • Added features

East Coast Landscape Designs’ years of experience gives them the opportunity of offering their clients the choice of wood, gas or duel fuel burning fire pits on their Bethesda, MD properties. The licensed landscaping contractor will also carefully evaluate the property to ensure that the fire pit not only fits the location, but that it also meets all safety requirements. East Coast Landscape Design can also incorporate a variety of features into the final design of the fire pit, depending on the client’s needs. Not only is the satisfaction of their clients important, but also their safety. This has helped East Coast Landscape Design earn the trust and respect of their customers.

Mark Simpson and East Coast Landscape Design have only one goal, to design and install functional and beautiful outdoor spaces that can be enjoyed for years. They firmly believe that any additions on the property should complement the existing environment, and they strive to use natural materials whenever possible. With their record of excellence, property owners know that they can depend on East Coast Landscape Design.

Posted on Author adminCategories Bethesda MD, firepits

Landscaping in Bethesda, MD: Consider these 5 Great Small Tree

Have a small space to fill in your home’s landscaping in Bethesda, MD? Consider these 5 great small trees.

  1. Amur Maple (Amur ginnala) – Mature height, 15-18 feet:
    One of the first maples to get their leaves in the spring, this tree has a wide-spreading canopy. It can either be a large shrub or a small tree, but it’s more often limbed up to show off its strong sculptural form.

  2. Cornelian Cherry Dogwood (Cornus mas) – Mature height, 20-25 feet tall, 15-20 feet wide: A lovely small tree that produces bright yellow flowers in early spring. It usually branches to the ground, but can be limbed up effectively.

  3. Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia sp.) This tree comes in a wide range of sizes, from dwarf (a few feet tall) to the typical tree, which is 20 to 30 feet tall. The mid- to late-summer flowers come in pink, lavender, rose, almost-red and white. Its bark, shown off on a multi-trunked form, varies from creamy white to gray to sandy brown to cinnamon, depending on the species and cultivar.

  4. Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum) Mature height, 15-30 feet tall and wide: multiple varieties from a weeping threadleaf form that looks like a broad mound or the upright form that makes a small shade tree.

  5. Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) Mature height, 20-30 feet tall and a bit wider: welcome spring with an explosion of pink. Grows to 20 to 30 feet tall and slightly wider. The heart-shaped leaves of the species are bluish-green, but ‘Forest Pansy’ has burgundy leaves that fade with hot weather. Adapts to a wide range of soils as long as they’re not permanently wet.

For more information about great small trees for your landscaping in Bethesda, MD, please contact East Coast Landscape Design. For over 30 years, East Coast Landscape Design has designed and installed beautiful landscape and hardscape projects around Bethesda, MD, and surrounding communities.

Posted on Author mdlandscaperCategories Bethesda MD, landscaping

Hardy Herb Perennials for your Landscape Design in Bethesda MD

Looking to add perennial herbs to your landscape design in Bethesda MD? The following herbs can serve one or more purposes; they can be an aromatic, used for food presentation or cooking (culinary), and/or useful in landscaping.

Aromatic
Lavender, English (Lavandula angustifolia)
Lavender, Grosso (Lavandula ‘Grosso’)
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Mint (multiple)
Sage, Clary (Salvia sclarea)
Thyme (multiple)

Culinary
Angelica (Angelica archangelica)
Catnip (Nepeta cataria)
Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)
Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
Lavender, English (Lavandula angustifolia)
Lavender, Grosso (Lavandula ‘Grosso’)
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Marjoram (Origanum vulgare)
Mint (multiple)
Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
Parsley (Petroselinum)
Rue (Ruta graveolens)
Sage (Salvia officinalis)
Tarragon – French (Artemisia dracunculus)
Thyme (multiple)

Landscape
Angelica (Angelica archangelica)
Catnip (Nepeta cataria)
Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)
Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)
Rue (Ruta graveolens)
Thyme (multiple)

Need help with incorporating herbs into your landscape design in Bethesda MD? You’ll want to contact the experts at East Coast Landscape Design. East Coast Landscape Design has designed and installed beautiful landscape and hardscape projects around Bethesda MD and surrounding communities for over 30 years.

Posted on Author mdlandscaperCategories Bethesda MD, landscape design

How Important is Mulch to Your Landscaping in Bethesda MD?

Mulch is much more that just something that’s used on your yard for “looks.” Putting down the right mulch is important to the overall health of your landscaping.

Here are 5 ways mulch is beneficial to your landscaping in Bethesda MD:Mulch slows weed growth.

  1. Mulch slows water evaporation, reducing water loss from the soil.
  2. Mulch protects plant roots from temperature extremes and sudden temperature fluctuations.
  3. Organic types of mulch improve the soil quality as they decompose.
  4. Mulch ads color and texture to your landscape design.

So which mulch is the right mulch for your landscaping?
The answer depends on the needs of your landscaping, and can change based on those needs. For instance, what you mulch you use in one area of your yard, may not be the best choice for other areas of your yard.

For instance, areas in your landscaping that need soil improvement could do with an aged (partially decomposed) organic mulch. If you don’t need soil improvement, and just want to control weeds, then a fresh organic mulch will do.

Rocks, stones or gravel mulch can shore up low-lying areas in your landscaping that can get washed out during hard rain. Landscapers will also use stones or gravel to create French drains to help prevent flooding in your yard. (Note: rocks, stones, or gravel can get and keep heat easily, so don’t use them around tender plants or those with shallow roots.)

For more information about the most appropriate mulches for your landscaping in Bethesda MD, please contact East Coast Landscape Design. East Coast Landscape Design is head and shoulders above other landscaping companies in Bethesda MD. For over 30 years, East Coast Landscape Design has designed and installed beautiful landscape and hardscape projects around Bethesda MD and surrounding communities.

 

Posted on Author mdlandscaperCategories Bethesda MD, landscaping

Homeowners: Cleaning Your Brick Pavers at your Bethesda MD Home is An Easy Task

One of the great things about brick pavers is that they don’t need frequent cleaning – especially if they have been recently sealed – however, they still do need some attention at your Bethesda MD home.

Here’s a quick 5 step plan for easily cleaning your brick pavers in Bethesda MD:

  1. Start by sweeping over the pavers using a broom and removing all this excess waste.
  2. Turn on your hose, to a higher pressure, and rinse away any loose dirt.
  3. Mix some household detergent (Dawn works well) with warm water in a bucket.
  4. Pour the warm soapy water on to the brick pavers, and use the broom to sweep the pavers clean.
  5. Rinse the soapy water with the hose, and let dry.

Ok, so you’ve followed the steps above, and you still have some stains – what do you do now? Call the company that installed your brick pavers and get their professional opinion on what they would use to clean your brick pavers in Bethesda MD. Chances are, there’s a brick paver stain remover that you can buy from a big box store that will take care of the stains.

For more information on brick paver cleaning in Bethesda MD, please contact the best brick paver contractors, East Coast Landscape Design. The experienced professionals at East Coast Landscape Design will work with you to design, install, and care for your brick paver patio, walkways, sidewalks, and driveway.

Posted on Author mdlandscaperCategories Bethesda MD, brick pavers, Cleaning

Hardscapes Are Part of the Landscape Design of Your Bethesda MD Home

While it’s easy to overlook them, hardscapes are part of the overall landscape design of your Bethesda MD home. And the role that hardscapes play is an important one.

As a reminder, hardscapes are the hard, man-made surfaces that are part of your landscape. For example, driveways, patios, sidewalks, walkways, decks, pergolas, arbors, gazebos, brick fireplaces, fire rings, fencing, rocks, fountains, pools, and ponds are all hardscapes. (Some of these — fountains, pools, and ponds — are also known as water features.) These permanent parts of your landscape need ongoing maintenance and replacement in a timely fashion.

If your hardscapes look like they’ve seen way days – such as a cracked driveway or patio – your overall landscape design will suffer. Your flowers and trees may be beautiful, but your home will still be the neighborhood eyesore with that cracked up driveway.

For more information about hardscapes as a part of your landscape design in Bethesda MD, please contact East Coast Landscape Design. Our consultation will outline how to incorporate hardscapes into your landscape design, and plan for hardscape maintenance.

Posted on Author mdlandscaperCategories Bethesda MD, landscape design