Are you thinking about giving your current, boring driveway a facelift? You’re certainly not alone. Most of the driveways in town are designed to be purely functional and few can be said to be attractive. That’s generally easy to fix and a custom driveway design for your Germantown, Md property is a great way to enhance your home’s curb appeal and add value to it for the day you decide to sell it.

If you’re planning something custom, it’s also worth at least thinking about getting a heated driveway installed. After all, few people actually enjoy shoveling snow. It’s thankless, time consuming work, and every year, thousands of people wind up in the ER as a result of accidents or injuries resulting from shoveling snow. Who has the time for that?

A heated driveway design on your Germantown, Md neatly solves the problem and doesn’t detract from the aesthetic in the least. In fact, by all outward appearances, heated driveways don’t look any different from their non-heated counterparts and have just as many aesthetic options.

If you know you want something unique, but you’re having trouble seeing the particulars of the custom driveway design for your Germantown, Md property, we encourage you to spend some time browsing the ever-expanding collection of photos we keep elsewhere on our site. Not only will this give you an opportunity to see the quality of the work our designers and landscape engineers are capable of, but you’re also sure to come away with lots of great ideas for your own project.

In any case, before you spend money on your custom driveway, you may want to think about the other landscaping projects you’d like to undertake. If you have a long list of improvements in mind, then it’s well worth taking the time to create a master landscape design document.

Despite the formal sounding name, this is simply a place where you can collect all of your landscaping goals and ambitions under a single umbrella. Doing so allows you to view your landscaping as a single, massive project, with each component being a part of the larger whole. You’ll be able to spot projects with dependencies and properly prioritize them and make sure that all the elements hang together to create exactly the aesthetic you’re looking for.

If you need a hand with the creation of the document, we’re happy to help. It’s one of the many services we provide and if you let us help you with it, we may be able to suggest alternatives to some of the plans you have in mind which will save you money and allow you to achieve your landscaping goals that much more quickly. If that sounds good to you, give us a call today and let’s build something amazing together.

Have you been contemplating a custom driveway design for your Gaithersburg, Md as an upgrade to your existing driveway? If so, you’re certainly not alone. The simple truth is that most builders don’t put much time or thought into the driveways they build. They’re designed to be purely functional, and to their credit, they do their job well enough, but they’re not much to look at.

A well-designed driveway is not only functional, but great-looking too, and it can make a dramatic statement on its own, or serve to tie together other landscaping elements you have in place. The sky really is the limit, but there’s a problem: Some people struggle with the particulars. They know they want a custom driveway design for their Gaithersburg, Md property, but struggle to see it clearly in their mind’s eye.

If that describes you, then we encourage you to spend some time browsing the extensive collection of photos we keep elsewhere on our site. Doing so will not only give you a chance to see the quality of our work, but you’re sure to come away with a ton of great ideas for your own landscaping projects, including a number of specifics you can include in the custom driveway design for your Gaithersburg, Md property.

One thing to consider though, is this: If your landscaping ambitions extend beyond just upgrading your driveway, it’s well worth taking the time to build a master landscaping design document. This document allows you to capture all of your landscaping goals and ideas under a single umbrella, which provides you with a number of tangible benefits.

First and foremost, it allows you to spot projects with dependencies. If a given project requires the completion of some other as a pre-requisite, you can spot that and prioritize them accordingly. That’s very helpful, and saves you both time and money.

Second, it allows you to spot those big, budget busting projects that are quite likely lurking in your list, and break them into smaller, more budget-friendly components that won’t break the bank.

Finally, having all of your landscaping ambitions under a single umbrella allows you to look at them as a whole and ensure that all the pieces mesh together seamlessly to form a great-looking whole that will utterly transform your property, turning it into the showplace you always dreamed it could be. This is far superior to waiting until you actually start spending money, only to realize that the element you’re adding clashes horribly with work you’ve already done and causing you to tear out elements and replace.

If you need help creating your master landscape design document, we’re happy to assist, and either way, when you’re ready to get started, help is just a phone call away.

The driveways found on most properties, all across the country are things that tend to get taken for granted. They’re almost always pure function over form. It doesn’t have to be that way though, and a good, innovative driveway design for your Bethesda, Md property can absolutely enhance the value of your home, which will translate into higher resale value if and when you decide to sell.

If you have other landscaping ambitions, a good driveway design for your Bethesda, Md property can help tie all of your other landscaping elements together to create a cohesive, aesthetically pleasing whole

Depending on exactly how much landscaping work you have in mind on your property, you may be well served by taking a more strategic view. If all you want is a sharp looking, custom driveway and perhaps a walkway to compliment it, that’s one thing, but if you have extensive landscaping plans, then before you jump in and begin your first project, it would almost certainly be beneficial to take the time to create a Master Landscape Design Document.

On the face of it, this is simply a list of all the landscaping you want to do on your property, captured under a single umbrella. It’s actually quite a lot more than that though, and there’s more power than you might think in having a unified project list.

For one thing, having such a document allows you to spot project that depend on the completion of other projects and order them accordingly. For another, it allows you to identify big, budget busting projects and break them into smaller, more budget friendly components.

In addition to that, having all your landscaping ideas in one place allows you to make sure that all the components mesh together to form a cohesive, eye-pleasing whole. If you spot anything that clashes with other elements you have planned, it’s a whole lot easier to make adjustments on paper than it is to spend money to put something in place that will detract from the whole, only to have to rip it out and make changes later on.

Whatever driveway design you have in mind for your Bethesda, Md property, by inserting it into the design document, you’ll be able to ensure that the design you have in mind will blend well with your other landscaping goals and ambitions, and if you need help putting the document together, we’re more than happy to provide that assistance.

So whether you’re just interested in making a few cosmetic tweaks around your property or are interested in a top to bottom transformation, help is just a phone call away. When you’re ready to stop dreaming and start doing, give our office a call!

It’s easy to see why so many homeowners think about a custom driveway design for their Beltsville, Md property. After all, drive down any residential street in the city and most of the driveways you’ll see are purely functional, with little, if any attention paid to form.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with that but if you’re looking for a simple way to make an eye-popping change to your property and increase its resale value, then an upgrade to your current, boring driveway belongs on your short list of options to consider.

If you’re interested in a custom driveway design for your Beltsville, Md property but you don’t know exactly what you want, it pays to spend some time browsing through the extensive collection of photos we keep elsewhere on our site.

Taking the time to look through them will not only give you a chance to see the quality of the work we do, it’s also sure to give you lots of great ideas for your own landscaping projects, your driveway included.

Before you get too far long in the planning stages of that project, however, it pays to think about the other changes and improvements you want to make to the property. If all you’re looking for is an upgrade to your driveway, and perhaps a custom walkway to match, that’s one thing, but if you mean to do quite a bit of landscaping over time, then it’s well worth taking the time to create a master landscape design document before any work actually begins.

If you’re not familiar with the term, it’s simply a single document where all of your landscaping goals and ambitions live. Far from being a laundry list of projects though, it actually provides you with a number of compelling benefits, including:

• It allows you to spot projects that have dependencies, allowing you to properly prioritize your landscaping initiatives.
• You can also easily identify larger projects that might strain your budget and break them into smaller components before any work begins. This allows you to make steady, consistent progress toward the achievement of your landscaping ambitions, rather than being bogged down when you hit one of those big, budget-busting projects.
• Finally, it allows you to look at your landscaping as a cohesive whole and ensure that all the elements hang together to create a seamless, pleasing aesthetic. If any of the elements clash, you should be able to spot these on paper and make adjustments as needed.

The bottom line is simply this: Whatever the scope and scale of your landscaping ambitions, from a custom driveway design for your Beltsville, Md property to a top to bottom transformation of your property, help is just a phone call away.

For those of you who have elderly family members, you know the worry you experience when the snows hit. The mere thought of your elderly parent going out to shovel can make you nervous and apprehensive. According to a professor at McGill University, Montreal, the frigid, snowy cold winters “drastically increase their risk” of falling. Knowing this, it’s crucial that we tend to our elderly friends and relatives during this time. One of the best ways to ensure their well-being and decrease the risk of falls, heart attacks, strokes and fractures, is the installation of outdoor radiant heating. At East Coast Landscape and Design, our professionals are here to guide you, when it comes to answering any questions you may have regarding heated walkways and driveways for your Silver Spring, MD home or business.

 

Outdoor Radiant Heating Reduces Winter Risks

 

Since the study found that approximately 50 percent of all falls for elderly people occur outdoors, it only stands to reason that installing outdoor radiant heating system will reduce this risk. What is outdoor radiant heating? It’s snow melt technology which works to create a warm surface on your pavement, which in turn, melts all sleet, snow and ice the second it comes into contact with your walkway or driveway. This translates to no more accumulation in the area where you’ve installed the heating system.

 

This snow melt technology not only makes certain that you and yours experienced a reduced risk of trips and falls over the ice, but it also helps to keep the integrity of your pavement intact. Rock salt and other deicers can corrode your concrete surfaces, and while new asphalt is not as affected, any old, worn and cracked asphalt is. For those of you who have invested heavily in decorative concrete surfaces, deicers along with scrapers, shovels and snow blowers, can absolutely ruin any patterns, resulting in unsightly nicks and chips. However, with snow melt technology this risk is non-existent.

 

Not Just for Driveways

 

Outdoor radiant heating is not just for residential driveways anymore. Today, many commercial properties employ outdoor radiant heating to keep their delivery areas and walkways from from freezing rain, ice and snow. Not only that, but you’ll also see snow melt technology being used under patios and decks in order to facilitate those wintry night barbecues. Outdoor radiant heating is also handy for outdoor summer houses, around hot rubs and underneath concrete surfaces surrounding bird feeders to keep your feathered buddies warm as they nibble on cold days. Finally, for those of you with outdoor hot tubs who want to take a dip while enjoying the winter scene, then install outdoor radiant heating in the concrete surrounding your hot tub.

 

Once you’ve made up your mind to have outdoor radiant heating installed, you can then decide where to install it. For instance, you may have a large, long, expansive driveway, but in reality only use a small portion of it. With our outdoor heating solution, there’s no need to warm your entire driveway or walkway, just the square footage that you require for your use. This not only gives you the convenience and security of a clean and clear pavement area, but also cuts down on your installation costs. Our team of professional installers will help you decide the best way to install your heated driveway or walkway, for either your Silver Spring, MD home or commercial property. Indeed, we can assist homeowners, business owners, as well as clinics and assisted living centers on how to best implement this snow melt technology to their best advantage.

 

Why Not Stick With Old-Fashioned Methods?

 

Deicers such as rock salt and other chemical products are not only expensive and take up valuable garage space, but are hazardous to the health of your pets, the condition of your concrete and aged, cracked asphalt, as well as the environment. When the sodium chloride of rock salt comes in contact with your concrete, it begins to eat away at it. As previously mentioned, those of you who have invested in intricately stamped pattered concrete will not appreciate the damage and discoloration these deicers do. As for the environment, the runoff which occurs when the snow and ice melts, hits the local foliage as well as any nearby aquatic life.

 

Conclusion

As you can see, by having a heated driveway, walkway or patio installed on your Silver Spring, MD property, you’ll enjoy a trouble free winter, and save much money on temporary solutions, such as rock salt, shovels, and snow removal equipment rentals. The benefits of this technology are great, and it’s why we’re often called upon to assist in creating the best environment possible. As for customer satisfaction, know that we’ve been a proud member of both Best Pick Reports and Angie’s List for many years. Our licensed crew members are courteous, friendly and dedicated to giving you their best. If you have any further questions or concerns, please call us at 301-421-4141 and speak with one of our customer service staff members, and they’ll be more than happy to help.

Lets face it, the annual cost of snow removal is not cheap. Depending on your needs, you’re either spending on deicing chemicals, fuel for your snowblower, paying someone to shovel for you, or purchasing the latest snow shovel design or blower. Add to that, the energy and time expenditure involved as you put on that overcoat, boots, scarf, mittens and hat, just to go out and shovel. Think about it, if the accumulation is high, you’re venturing out in the frigid air several times a day in order to keep the area clear. As you well know, managing snow manually is no easy task. Fortunately for you, there is a convenient solution: The addition of an outdoor radiant heating system to your residential or commercial property. As experts in such installation, we at East Coast Landscape and Design excel when it comes to installing heated driveways and walkways for our clients in Rockville, MD.

 

The Advantages of Installing Outdoor Radiant Heating

 

Outdoor radiant heating is also referred to as snow melting systems. These systems are designed to save you both time and money during the winter season, as well as ensuring you don’t injure yourself by slipping on the ice, or getting ill from shoveling. In fact, when you engage in the services of outdoor radiant heating for drive and walkways, you’ll find that shoveling is a thing of the past. Snow melting technology makes certain that your sidewalks, driveways, steps and even patios and decks are free from snow and ice. Our professionals at East Coast Landscape and Design, are trained in the art of installing outdoor heating, and can install a heated driveway or walkway just for your Rockville, MD home or business, at your request.

 

This technology means that you’ll no longer have to be concerned about the negative effects rock salt, and other deicers have your vehicles finish, your pets health, or that of the environment. According to a study by biologist Ashley E. Rhodes of Kansas State University, deicing agents contribute decimation of animal life, such as amphibians, due to the increased salinity of the surrounding water. Even though you’re applying deicing agents to your driveway several miles away, the runoff caused from melting snow and ice often enters the surrounding environment, damaging both vegetation and animal life. Fresh water amphibians and fish are not equipped to deal with the high saline levels which result from rock salt runoff.

 

In fact, it’s not only the flora and fauna which experience a negative impact from deicers. According to an Wisconsin Salt Wise study for Dane County, for every $800 worth of rock salt spent, it eventually leads up to $3,300 of damage to the cities infrastructure. How does this pertain to you? Well, just as this rock salt damages a city’s infrastructure, it also chews and gnaws away at your concrete and aged asphalt as the sodium chloride in salt begins to corrode the concrete, and settling into the cracks of old and worn asphalt. As you can see, by installing snow melting technology on your property, you’ll not only be gaining convenience and efficiency, but it will reduce the amount of wear and tear on your paved surfaces as well as vegetation.

 

How Does it Work?

 

It’s quite simply, really. The moment you see snow begin to fall, flip on the switch which is located in your home. This causes the pavement to warm, and the snow to melt, which prevents any accumulation. There are two methods which accomplish this. The first method is to use an electric coil. Once you flip the switch, a current runs through the metal coils underneath the pavement, warming the surface. The second method, called hydronic, involves a mixture of anti-freeze and water. This mix is pumped though tubing which lies under the pavement, and proceeds to melt the snow and ice.

 

Say you only need a small area of your driveway heated. No problem. simply instruct our professional outdoor radiant heat installation team where you’d like the install placed, and that’s the only area which will be affected. This means you have complete control over the placement and costs, as costs decrease with the decrease of square footage required. Also, remember that once installed, there are no maintenance visits to pay for. Your outdoor heating is totally maintenance free.

 

Not Just for Walkways and Drives Anymore

 

Now that you have a better understanding of the purpose, process and procedure involved, know that outdoor radiant heating is not just for driveways or sidewalks. Today, more and more people are taking advantage of their yard space, and turning it into functional living spaces. Here, they enjoy outdoor cooking and entertaining. But, did you know that you can have this type of heating underneath your patio or deck? Yes you can. Once installed, you’ll be able to freely enjoy the comforts of outdoor grilling, even in winter. This is also quite handy for those of you with outdoor hot tubs as well. Indeed, outdoor radiant heating will help you to create the perfect hot tub sanctuary which you can enjoy all winter long.

 

Conclusion

At East Coast Landscape and Design, we’ll handle everything from planning to installation of your heated driveway or walkway, ensuring your Rockville, MD residential or commercial property will experience the perfection of snow and ice free pavement. As a proud member of both Angie’s List and Best Pick Reports, you know you can trust our licensed and verified professionals to install an outdoor radiant heating system which will serve you well for many, many years to come. Remember, we are here to help, so contact one of our friendly customer service staff members today, at at 301-421-4141 in order to request an estimate, or visit our website at http://mdlandscaper.com for more information on this and any of our landscaping and design services.

Potomac, Maryland is listed in Sperlings “Best Places” as a fabulous city to experience life, and raise your family. this picturesque community is brimming with good people, kind hearts and cold winters. Potomac averages around 19 inches of snow per year, during a period which lasts approximately 4 months, from the end of November to March. As a reviewer on Best Places remarked, “Winter, while it has some splendid “snow days,” goes on much too long”. While the winters are not markedly unpleasant, they seem long to many. This translates into 4 long months of shoveling and salting. As such, people are beginning to invest in new ways to keep their driveways and walkways free from snow and ice accumulation. The solution many are choosing is snow melt technology. East Coast Landscape and Design excel when it comes to helping you solve your snow removal issues. We employ trusted, licensed professionals to install heated driveways and walkways for many of the homes and businesses throughout Potomac, MD

 

Snow Melt Technology and You: What are the Benefits?

 

While winters won’t decrease in length any time soon, you can make their stay a bit more enjoyable by employing snow melt technology. Also referred to as outdoor radiant heating. Today, this technology is being used more widely than ever before, in both residential and commercial settings. Why? The answer is simple: Convenience and effectiveness. As far as snow removal goes, you can’t do better than outdoor radiant heating.

 

The process is simple. Once you notice the first sign of snowfall, you turn on the radiant heating system from an indoor control panel. This causes the heating system to warm the pavement. The second any ice or snow falls on the surface, it will melt. Therefore, you get zero accumulation. There are a couple ways to achieve this. You can either select from having an electric current run through metal rods, beneath your pavement, or you can have hydronic heating, where snow is melted by a warming mixture of water and antifreeze. Both these systems are embedded in the concrete, and installed underneath the pavement. As for cost, there is no set pricing, as you only have the system installed where you need it. This means that if you have a huge, long driveway, yet only require a small square footage of it heated, then that is all that you pay for.

 

Once the snow starts falling, no matter how often you shovel, it’s usually not enough. Soon after you clear a space from ice and snow, more accumulates. Indeed, it’s not uncommon for people to have to don the overcoat, boots, mittens, scarf and hat just to go out and shovel again, a few hours after they just finished.

While this is inconvenient, it can also be dangerous, especially for sedentary people. The mere act of shoveling increases the oxygen requirement of your heart, which means your heart must pump faster and harder to keep up. For a sedentary person to get up from a chair, and instantly begin to shovel heaps of snow, could increase their risk of exhaustion or even a heart attack.

 

Why Not Just Use Rock Salt?

 

Deicers such as rock salt and other chemicals may seem like the answer but they have issues as well. First of all, the coverage is not reliable. With these products, you only get a clear surface area where the deicer falls. These products also do not reach all the way to the pavement with accumulation, so their melting abilities are limited. Plus, you usually still have to shovel away the excess snow and ice anyway, especially if it’s a large snowfall.

 

Deicers such as rock salt and other chemical products are also dangerous to the environment, as the runoff increases the salinity of fresh water areas, and hurts vegetation. Not only that, these deicers are not kind your pets health or that of local wildlife. When it comes to your expensive paved driveways and walkways the effects of deicers can be devastating over time.

 

The sodium chloride of rock salt is known to erode and discolor concrete, and infiltrate the cracks in damaged, aged asphalt driveways and walkways. At East Coast Landscape and Design, we are well versed in the science of asphalt, concrete, masonry as well as experts when it comes to the electrical control design required in installing heated driveways and walkways for your Potomac, MD property. In other words, with our professional team backing you, you’ll get just what you want, where you want it.

 

Outdoor Radiant Heating, for Driveways, Walkways, and So Much More

 

Today, people are turning their unused outdoor yard space into fabulous living spaces; an extension of their home. Patios fitted with beautifully pattern stamped concrete, garden walls, stylish outdoor furniture and grills. While this living space sees much traffic during the spring and summer months, things begin to slow down once it gets chilly. However, with the addition of outdoor radiant heating to your patio, deck, balcony or area surrounding your hot tub, you’ll be able to use your outdoor living areas all year long! Feel like enjoying a freshly, barbecue pizza in the middle of January? Simply heat up your patio pavement, barbecue, and enjoy.

 

Conclusion

 

The benefits of installing East Coast Landscape and Design’s outdoor radiant heated driveways, walkways or patio areas to your Potomac, MD residential or commercial properties are great, indeed. Whether you want it installed on your entire driveway, walkway, patio, or only a portion, we can help make that a reality for you. We currently hold an A+ rating on the Better Business Bureau web site, are a member of Angie’s List and certified by Best Pick Reports, and also hold the following certifications:

 

• Interlocking Certified Paver Installers
• Certified Landscape Technician
• Certified Pond Installer
• Maryland Home Improvement Commission License
• Better Business Bureau
• Landscape Contractors Association
• Recommended Landscape Contractor “Washington Checkbook”

 

If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us301-421-4141, you’ll be able to hear first hand, from trained professionals just what our services can do for you. We[‘ll be more than happy to assist you with a estimate request, or walk you through the process of heated driveway, walkway and patio installation.

The Garant, 24 inch Sleigh Shovel, the Suncast 24 inch, combination snow shovel and pusher, and the Snow Joe, telescoping snow broom with ice scraper. Sound familiar? These are among the many models of snow shovels available to you on the market today. They are designed to make it so you can go outside, in the frigid cold, to scrape, salt, scrape again, shoveling away pounds and pounds of wet, heavy, thick snow with as much comfort as possible. While these snow shovel designs do make it simpler, if you’re older, of ill health or simply too busy, no manual shovel ever designed will be able to help. this leaves you with the option to pay someone to do it for you. Not only is that an added expense, but can you really trust them to be reliable? To avoid all of this unnecessary hassle, perhaps it’s time to consider outdoor radiant heating as a solution. At East Coast Landscape and Design, in Hyattsville, MD, our team of professional experts can install a heated driveway or walkway, so you can allow the pavement to do the shoveling for you.

 

Put Your Pavement in Charge of Your Snow Removal Problem

 

Shovel, salt, and shovel again. It’s an inconvenient routine that those who live in colder climates have to deal with 3 to 4 months out of the year. However, it doesn’t have to be this way. With outdoor radiant heating, you can sit inside, play a video game, watch a movie or simply go to bed early, knowing that when you wake up, your walkway and driveway will be free and clear of snow and ice. Because when you have snow melt technology installed, it’s the pavement that will do the work for you.

 

The concept is simple. At the first sign of snowfall, you go to your controls, flip a switch and your pavement begins to heat up, instantly melting any snowflake that hits it. As a homeowner, you have options open to you. The first is the electric radiant heating system. Here, the pavement is heated via a series of metal rods or cables which are embedded into the concrete.

 

The second method employs a mix of water and antifreeze chemicals, which run through the tubing, warming your concrete. Both methods are controlled from the interior of your home, both require no further maintenance after installation, and both systems allow you to place the heating system only where you want it. In other words, if you have an expansive driveway, but only require a section to be heated, then that’s the only place it will be installed.

 

Benefits of Outdoor Radiant Heat

 

First and foremost, this type of heating solution means that you’ll be exempt from having to spend your valuable time shoveling snow. Not only is shoveling snow dangerous for your heart health, according to a study in the British Medical Journal, hospitals and clinics see an increased number of broken bones and fractures as a result of this activity. Indeed, during one snowfall, you may have to shovel several times in one evening in order to stop it from accumulating. Shoveling is not only bad for your own health, it can be a nightmare when it comes to your pavement if you find yourself due to 4 months of scraping and chipping away ice.

 

As for deicers and other chemicals, these are known to damage not only our environment and wildlife, but also eat away at our concrete pavement, causing discoloration and cracking. While these chemicals can’t harm new asphalt, if your pavement is comprised of old, aged and worn asphalt, this can be a problem, as the deicers make their way down the cracks and holes. In all truth, that pavement whether concrete or asphalt was expensive to install, so putting it at risk for damage and deterioration due to shoveling and deicers does not make much sense.

 

East Coast Landscape and Design: A Best Pick Reports, Certified Company

 

East Coast Landscape and Design is a Best Pick Reports certified company. This means that we’ve earned the respect and well wishes of our clients. You can trust our expertly trained craftsmen to install either a heated driveway, walkway or both for your Hyattsville, MD residential or commercial property. We hold verified licenses, verified general liability insurance and workmen’s comp. See what our past clients have to say:

 

Review by Chevy Chase, MD Homeowner 09/29/2015

“They were making a front walk and a driveway, and they did a wonderful job. It was excellent. They were friendly, and they gave us different catalogs and ideas. They pointed us to places to go to look at stones and so forth and so on. What they started, they finished. I would say they get an A.”

 

Review by Bethesda, MD Homeowner 09/22/2015

“It was a combination of value and quality of work. They put in some replacement slate stone steps, from the street to our front porch. We had used them before and my wife found them. I would give them an A.”

 

Review by Silver Spring, MD Homeowner 11/14/2017

“We were very satisfied. They were very professional, on-time, friendly, and dependable. We were very satisfied. They did landscaping, paver, and then they also steered us to a gentleman who did a deck remodel and a pergola. East Coast deserves an A.”

 

Conclusion

 

Experience increased curb appeal during the winter months, along with peace of mind and an absence of back breaking shoveling and expensive salting with our outdoor radiant heating systems. Here at East Coast Landscape and Design, we’ve had over 35 years of experience assisting our customers in attaining their perfect landscaping designs, and when it comes to installing heated driveways and walkways for our clients in Hyattsville, MD, we’ve got you covered. We’re here to help, so call us today at 301-421-4141 to request an estimate, and one of our friendly, knowledgeable staff members will assist you.

 

When it comes to getting ready for the frigid, winter snows, the Public Works Department of Greenbelt, Maryland are no slouches, and begin to get ready for winter as early as late September or early October. Greenbelt usually gets an average of about 13 inches of snow per year. As you may be able to guess, all of this snow and ice is not only an inconvenience, it’s also hazardous to our health and overall well being. Not only that, but every day commuting becomes much riskier, due to the accumulation of snow and ice on the roadways. All of this, along with the negative health effects of shoveling snow, and damage road salt does to our concrete and environment, means that it’s time for many to find a better way, a new and more efficient solution. At East Coast Landscape and Design, in Greenbelt MD, we believe that the installation of heated driveways and walkways provides you with the perfect solution.

 

Making Our Driveways and Walkways Snow and Ice Free

 

An asphalt or concrete driveway is a splendid addition to any residential property. Properly maintained these driveways will not only improve the appearance of your home, but also add to their property value and curb appeal. Freezing rain, snow and ice not only are dangerous for you and your family, but they can also play havoc with the state of your concrete or aged asphalt driveway. Salt will cause your concrete driveway or walkway to deteriorate. So, knowing this, how can you keep your drive and walkways free from ice and snow accumulation?

 

This is accomplished by the installation of an outdoor radiant heating system, also known as snow melt technology. Which means that your driveway and walkways will be free from ice and snow during the season, and do it all without the use of harsh chemicals, such as road salts. This snow melt technology works by heating up the surface of your pavement, so the moment when snow hits the surface, it will immediately melt, leaving you with no accumulation. The end result is a clean driveway or walkway, free from snow and ice.

 

The Problem with Deicers

 

There’s no question about it, a well paved driveway is an asset to your property, so why contribute to its early ruination by applying rock salt and other deicers? Were you aware, that over time, the utilization of rock salt to melt snow and ice will cause wide, unsightly cracks, pits and holes in your concrete? All of this unnecessary damage adds up to costly maintenance repairs down the road. This damage occurs because rock salt is made up of sodium chloride. As the rock salt does its duty of melting snow and ice, it also penetrates your pavements porous surface and cracks. Add the fact that as the ice and snow melts, the resulting runoff spills into our environment, causing much damage to wildlife and vegetation.

 

What Exactly is Outdoor Radiant Heating?

 

When it comes to outdoor radiant heating, the two types to consider are electric and hydronic. In the electric method, a current begins to travel down a series of metal rods or cables. The current causes a gentle increase in temperature, which then warms the surface of the pavement. In hydronic radiant heating, a professional will install tubing beneath your pavement. Then, a blend of water and antifreeze will travel through the tubes, heating up the pavement. In each case, the surface warms so no snow or ice can gain a solid footing, and your pavement remains clear.

 

Keep in mind that when you plan your installation, that you only need to install the heating system where you need it. This means that no matter the size of your driveway, if you only require a certain square footage to be heated, then that is all which is installed, no more and no less. Once installed, know that your new, outdoor radiant heating system will not require any further maintenance. When you notice the first signs of snowfall, just walk to your indoor switch, flip it and go back to whatever it is you were doing. No more backbreaking shoveling routines several times a day, no more lugging home bags of rock salt, and no more paying rental fees for snow blowers.

 

These snow melt systems need not be limited to your heated driveways and walkways in Greenbelt, MD. In fact, did you know we can also help you install them underneath your concrete patio, around your hot tub and perhaps, even your balcony? This is very true. With the addition of snow melt heating to your patio, you are now free to grill your favorite meals, all year long. Once installed around your hot tub, entering and leaving the tub will no longer mean placing your feet on frozen concrete. Instead, you’ll be immersed by the soft, warm heat which emanates from the surrounding pavement.

 

Conclusion

When it comes to finding answer to your snow removal questions or any of your landscaping needs, let the professionals at East Coast Landscape and Design be your trusted guide. East Coast Landscape and Design is your one stop solution for all of your outdoor radiant heating needs. Our heated driveways and walkways have make the lives of our clients in Greenbelt, MD much easier during the winter months, as they now let the pavement remove the snow and ice for them. If this solution is for you, why not give us a call at 301-421-4141 to request an estimate today. One of our friendly and informed staff members will be right there to assist you with any queries you may have.

According to a well known orthopedic surgeon who authored a study on the dangers of snow blowers, many snow blower injuries occur when people ignore the warnings, and stick their hands down the chute to unclog the snow. This often results in injuries to that hand such as sliced fingers, and in the worst case scenario, the need for a complete amputation. Operating a snow blower is not the only risk to those involved in manual snow removal. It’s no secret that many people suffer heart attacks when shoveling snow. When you shovel snow, your heart demands more oxygen than when you are sitting and watching television. While this may not be injurious to those in tip top physical condition, for sedentary individuals it can be critical, especially if they have a coronary condition they are unaware of. Fortunately, there’s a much better way to remove snow and ice from your pavement: Outdoor radiant heating. At East Coast Landscape and Design, our team of professionally trained crew members can install a radiant heated driveway or walkway in Gaithersburg MD, for you, quickly and easily.

 

The Hidden Dangers of Deicers

 

Deicers are rock salt or other products used to specifically help melt ice and snow. An application of a deicer does not necessarily take the work out of shoveling your pathways. First of all, these deicers only work where you’ve tossed them. If you’ve aimlessly thrown them onto the surface with no rhyme or reason, then you’ll end up with uneven patches of clear areas mixed in with snow/ice packed sections. Secondly, deicers are not friendly to your vehicle’s finish, your pets health, or the environment. Road salts can corrode and damage your cars paint job, your pets can become ill when their feet come in contact with these chemicals, and the plant and animal life will be harmed from the runoff.

 

All of this combined with the abrasive damage and chipping caused by using a manual snow shovel, along with the dangers of operating a snow blower means that you’re not only risking your health, but damaging your property. With outdoor radiant heating, the pavement works for you. As a result, there’s no more rushing out to spend money on bags of salt, spending hours out in the cold, buying the newest snow shovel design, paying for snow removal equipment rental or someone to shovel for you. If any of this concerns you, please feel free to contact us, and one of our trained professionals will be able to guide you through the process of obtaining permanently heated driveways and walkways for your Gaithersburg, MD property.

 

What is a Radiant Heating System?

 

When that first snowflake falls, it’s a hint of what’s to come. However, if you had an outdoor radiant heating system installed underneath your drive or walkway, that tiny, delicate snowflake would melt the moment it touched the surface. Why? Because the heat emanating from the pavement would cause it to melt on contact, which would prevent the accumulation of snow or ice in the first place.

 

There are two main types of radiant heating systems: Electric radiant heat and hydronic. With the electric method, heat travels through metal coils which lie underneath your driveway or walkway. In hydronic radiant heating, a mixture of water and antifreeze is pumped through PVC piping, which then warms your pavement. If you’re concerned about pets, please don’t be. In either case, the pavement never warms to the point where it will burn their feet.

 

No matter which type of radiant heating system you select, the bright spot is that you can control what sections obtain the heat. Say that you only use one section of your driveway to park your vehicle. If that is the case, you only need to have the radiant heating system in that one area. Knowing this, means you have direct control over the total cost of your installation. You’ll also never have to rush out to purchase a couple of bags of rock salt at the last minute, shovels or have to pay someone to do the shoveling for you.

 

Don’t Forget the Patio!

 

Today, people are keen to utilize every inch of their property, and that includes creating outdoor living areas. More and more homeowners are enjoying the benefits of an outdoor cooking area, and with outdoor radiant heating, they are free to grill outdoors even in the winter. For those of you with a hot tub, who enjoy the thought of relaxing in a nice, hot soak in the middle of a wintry wonderland, then consider having radiant heating installed in the concrete surrounding the hot tub. This gives you a nice, warm surface surrounding the tub, that’s both ice and snow free. If you’ve a balcony you’d like heated, talk to one of our staff to see if it can be installed there, so you can enjoy many lovely, winter nights gazing at the stars on a winters night in warmth, comfort and peace.

 

Conclusion

 

Enjoy a hassle free winter and holiday season this year with a heated driveway, walkway or both for your Gaithersburg, MD home or business, courtesy of the professionals at East Coast Landscape and Design. As a proud member of Angie’s List for over 13 years, we’ve earned our stripes when it comes to creating customer satisfaction and convenience. Once our professionals have installed the heating system to the paved areas of your choosing, we are confident that you’ll find letting the pavement do the work for you, gives you peace of mind and a more restful winter season. If you’ve any questions, please call us at 301-421-4141 to request an estimate. We’ll be happy to guide you through the process, and answer any questions you may have.