Author: mdlandscaper

Landscaping Companies in Silver Spring MD: Know Who You Are Hiring

How do you know which of the landscaping companies in Silver Spring MD do the best work and are reliable? And which of the landscaping companies in Silver Spring MD have great customer service?

Quite frankly, there are some landscaping companies that do business in Silver Spring MD that aren’t licensed and certified. They have bad reputations, and change their names frequently. Here are some ways to determine which of the landscaping companies in Silver Spring MD you should hire.

  • Licensing – Do they have the proper licenses from the State of MD, such as a Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) License
  • Certifications – Have they gone through training and obtained certifications to complete the work you need?
  • Years in business – Just started last year? The year before? Have they gone through name changes?
  • Professional associations – Legitimate landscaping companies in Silver Spring MD participate in professional associations that share information and support best practices in their industry.
  • Reputation – Recommendations from experts and other consumers, online and off. Remember to ask friends and neighbors who they use, and ask for client referrals.

East Coast Landscape Design is one of a very few landscaping companies in Silver Spring MD that meets and exceeds these requirements. They are licensed through the Maryland Home Improvement Commission, are certified interlocking paver installers, certified landscape technicians, and certified pond installers. The folks at East Coast Landscape Design have created amazing beauty in yards and properties dotting the Washington, DC area for over 25 years, and are members of the Landscape Contractors Association. East Coast Landscape Design has a Better Business Bureau A+ Rating, is a Recommended Landscape Contractor from the “Washington Checkbook,” and has received the Angie’s List Super Service Award. For more information on landscaping companies in Silver Spring MD, please contact East Coast Landscape Design.

Posted on Author mdlandscaperCategories landscaping companies, Silver Spring MD

Patios in North Potomac MD: Pros and Cons of Natural Gas Fire Pits

Natural gas fire pits are becoming a popular choice for patios in North Potomac MD – and for good reason. When done well, natural gas fire pits are beautiful, convenient, and safe – and can be turned on with a key or a flip of a switch.
Here are some pros and cons to help you decide if a natural gas fireplace is the right good choice for you.
Pros:

  • Lights easily
  • No smoke
  • No sparks or embers
  • No ash to clean up
  • Provides ambiance
  • No hauling wood
  • No ash to clean up

Cons:

  • Requires a gas line to be run to the pit (which is more complicated for an existing patio)
  • Not ideal for cooking or roasting
  • Provides less warmth as wood
  • No homey fire scent
  • Fire rings may clog

For more information on natural gas fire pits for patios in North Potomac MD, please contact the experts at East Coast Landscape Design. The East Coast Landscape Design team has over a quarter century of experience in the design, installation, and care of patios in North Potomac MD.

Posted on Author mdlandscaperCategories North Potomac MD, patios

Outdoor lighting in Silver Spring MD: LED VS Halogen

Which is better for outdoor lighting in Silver Spring MD – LED or Halogen?

When done well, both high quality low voltage LED and Halogen lights produce fabulous results in outdoor lighting for homes in Silver Spring MD.

LED lights have some distinct advantages over Halogen for outdoor lighting in Silver Spring MD. LED lights are more energy efficient and last years longer than Halogen lights. For instance, if you are placing a bulb in a hard to reach area, you want to use an LED bulb, so you don’t have to replace it as often.

The initial cost of Halogen bulbs is much less than LEDs. An LED bulb can cost 5-6 times more than a Halogen bulb, and that will be a significant difference in the initial cost of your outdoor lighting in Silver Spring MD. However, unless you have purchased fixtures that are made to take the heat given off from Halogen bulbs, there can be cracking and discoloration of the fixtures.

For more information on outdoor lighting in Silver Spring MD, call the experts at East Coast Landscape Design. East Coast Landscape Design will provide everything to complete your outdoor lighting project, from engineering design to wire and fixtures. We only use the highest quality lighting manufacturers that use brass, copper, stainless steel and aircraft-quality aluminum designed to last a lifetime. Let one of our East Coast Landscape Design specialists show you how a well-designed outdoor lighting system can add to the beauty and safety of your Silver Spring MD home.

Posted on Author mdlandscaperCategories outdoor lighing, Silver Spring MD

Spring Tune-Ups of Irrigation Systems in Silver Spring MD

Spring tune-ups of irrigation systems in Silver Spring MD prolong the life of irrigation systems in Silver Spring Maryland and save water, time, and money. Performing a tune-up on irrigation systems in Solver Spring MD are not really a DIY project. There are multiple tasks to undertake – however, if you’re not an expert, a mistake could cost you.

The following steps should be included in a spring tune-up of your irrigation system:

  1. Open the system main water valve slowly to allow pipes to fill with water gradually. (Valves opened under too much pressure could cause sprinkler mainlines to crack.)
  2. Confirm that each station valve is working by manually activating all zones from the controller.
  3. Walk through each station on the controller, checking for proper operation of the zone. Check operating pressure, proper rotation, and ensure sprinkler heads provide adequate watering coverage.
  4. Check and clean filters on poorly performing sprinklers; fix or replace parts as needed. Adjust heads to grade if necessary.
  5. Reprogram the controller for automatic watering.
  6. Replace the controller back-up battery if necessary.
  7. Uncover and clean the system weather sensor, if applicable.

For more information, please contact East Coast Landscape Design, the irrigation systems experts in Silver Spring MD. These qualified professionals understand hydraulic pressure, sprinkler system layout, soil concerns, and the watering requirements of your home’s landscape.

Posted on Author mdlandscaperCategories irrigation systems, Silver Spring MD

Creating More Privacy for Flagstone Patios in MD

Flagstone patios are a popular with MD homeowners – but how can you make your flagstone patio feel more private? The solution is to use a combination of hardscape and landscape design techniques. Here’s how:

  • Plant hedges and ornamental grasses that grow lush and tall around your flagstone patio
  • Install a privacy fence around your flagstone patio
  • Add some latticework to your flagstone patio
  • Obscure the view by creating a curved pathway leading to your flagstone patio
  • Build a simple pergola and plant climbing vines around your flagstone patio
  • Create a wall of planters
  • Add a canopy over the flagstone patio
  • Build retaining walls to enclose your flagstone patio

Need more ideas about creating more privacy for flagstone patios in MD? Please contact East Coast Landscape Design. The East Coast Landscape Design team has over a quarter century of experience in the design, installation, and care of beautifully private flagstone patios in MD.

Posted on Author mdlandscaperCategories flagstone patios, Maryland, MD

Not All Landscaping Companies Offer French Drains in Rockville MD

You may have heard that a “French drain” can prevent ground and surface water from penetrating or damaging your home’s foundation. You should be aware that not all landscaping companies offer French drains; and depending on where you live in Maryland, a permit must be obtained by a licensed contractor like East Coast Landscape Design, before digging begins.

A French drain is a trench that is filled with gravel or rock or containing a perforated pipe that redirects surface water and groundwater away from an area. (Sometimes, a lightweight gravel substitute is used to wrap around the perforated corrugated pipe and covered with filter fabric.)

Landscaping companies in Rockville MD install French drains around a home foundation in two different ways: installed underneath the basement floor on the inside perimeter of the basement, or buried around the foundation wall on the external side of the foundation. French drains are also used to relieve ground water pressure behind retaining walls in your landscape.

For more information on French drains and other ways to manage drainage and erosion, please contact the experts among landscaping companies in Rockville MD, East Coast Landscape Design. Our Senior Geotechnical Engineer provides consultations and specializes in drainage and erosion control engineering, in accordance with the requirement of the local government and the state of Maryland. Please contact East Coast Landscape Design today.

Posted on Author mdlandscaperCategories landscaping companies

Landscape Design to Prevent Flooding at Bethesda MD Homes

Flooding – it’s a huge problem for many homeowners – but did you know that great landscape design can prevent flooding in Bethesda MD?

Flooding in your home happens when your landscape can’t handle the water through proper drainage. This occurs due to having the wrong soil, soil erosion, a yard that slopes toward the home, plants that don’t capture the water, and a lack of water drainage through hardscaping.

If at all possible, flood prevention systems should be installed during the construction process. Unfortunately, water drainage is often overlooked, because many drainage problems don’t present themselves until after the home is built. So what landscape design changes can be done after construction in Bethesda MD?

  • Plants: plant flower beds in areas where the water tends to collect.
  • Catch basins: a drainage system that collects the water runoff at the edge of the landscape feature, such as the patio, driveway, or lawn and brings the water to a collection point through the use of underground drain pipe.
  • Dry streambeds: create a path for the water, directing it away from your house.
  • Retention ponds: this drainage system is located at the lowest point of the property to collect the storm water runoff.
  • Regular inspections: it’s important to have your landscape inspected by a qualified landscaper, such as East Coast Landscape Design, anytime you see a pattern of flooding.

For more information on landscape design in Bethesda, MD, that prevents home flooding, please contact East Coast Landscape Design. Our consultation will outline how to protect your home and create lasting beauty and value. We use erosion control applications to Maryland state specifications.

Posted on Author mdlandscaperCategories Bethesda MD, landscape design

Brick Patio Design Options for Gaithersburg MD

If you are considering a brick patio, you should know that there are more than a few options for your Gaithersburg MD home. For instance:

  • Basket Weave Pattern – also known as checkerboard pavers – this pattern is laid in the form of a checkerboard.
  • Herringbone Pattern – each course of paving bricks are laid at an angle of 45 or 90-degrees, and the angle rotates with each sequence.
  • Circle Design – a very popular, but difficult patio design to install.
  • Stack Bond – bricks placed on top of each other in a straight line – they can also be placed at a 45 degree angle.
  • 1/3 Running Bond – each subsequently each row of pavers overlaps its predecessor by one-third its length, creating a slightly staggered look.
  • Half Running Bond (also known as Running Bond) – each row of pavers overlaps the last row by half its length (or width).

For more information on brick patio design options for Gaithersburg MD, please contact the experts at East Coast Landscape Design. The experienced professionals at East Coast Landscape Design will work with you to design the brick patio that best compliments the style of your Gaithersburg MD home.

Posted on Author mdlandscaperCategories Gaithersburg MD, patio, patio design

Patio Contractors, Silver Spring MD: What are Face Bricks, and How are they Used?

Patio contractors in Silver Spring MD use face brick for its classic beauty and structural endurance. You may be wondering what face bricks are, and how are they are used.

Face brick is one of the two major types of brick (the other is known as common brick.) The main difference is that face bricks are glazed before being fired, which makes the face bricks slick and hard. Unfortunately, face bricks are usually slippery during wet weather.

There are different types of face bricks, based on uniformity of shape and size. Select brick, known as FBX, is the highest quality of face brick. FBX has sharp edges and a contemporary look.

There are three face brick standards, based on its uniformity of shape and size. Select brick, FBS, or standard is the highest quality. Strict limits are enforced on its size and imperfections. It provides more of a contemporary look with its sharp edges. Standard brick, FBS, allows for slight differences in size. FBA, also known as architectural brick, has no limit on size differences, chips or cracks.

Face brick is also graded by its strength, water absorption and resistance to damage when exposed to freezing and thawing conditions. Grade SW (severe weathering) bricks are exceptional when exposed to saturation leading to freezing. Grade MW (moderate weathering) bricks work well where there is moisture, but no saturation. Grade NW (no weathering) bricks are for indoor use only.

For more information on face brick, contact the best patio contractors in Silver Spring MD, East Coast Landscape Design. The experienced professionals at East Coast Landscape Design will work with you to design your patio and select materials, such as face brick, that compliment your home’s function and style.

Posted on Author mdlandscaperCategories patio contractors, Silver Spring MD

Take Steps to Protect Your Landscaping in Silver Spring MD

Deer are a big problem in suburban Maryland; they can cause some considerable damage to landscaping in Silver Spring MD. However, there are some steps you can take to protect your trees and prevent devastating damage.

Deer are famous for devouring summer gardens, and they can also destroy your grass. But the real damage from deer comes in the fall, when deer rub against trees to remove the velvet off of their antlers. And the rubbing continues during the mating season, stripping the bark off of your trees, preventing the trees from getting the right nutrition. Older trees will become susceptible to disease, and young newly planted trees can be destroyed. So what can you do?

  • Apply deer repellant prevent deer from chewing and eating brush and trees (although it will need to be reapplied after rain or snow).
  • Add tree fencing around a grove of trees, at 6-8 feet of height.
  • Place tree guards made of chicken wire or mesh netting to protect individual trees.
  • Prune lower limbs from trees during the winter to discourage deer from nibbling on fruit trees and rubbing on others.

For more information on landscaping in Silver Spring MD, please contact the expert landscapers at East coast Landscape Design. We understand that a professionally designed, properly installed and maintained landscape adds beauty and function to your home. It also adds immense value and curb appeal to your Silver Spring, MD home.

Posted on Author mdlandscaperCategories landscaping, Silver Spring MD