Walkway Design Materials for Your Maryland Home

The walkway design for your Maryland home will depend upon which materials you want to use for your walkway.

Here are some options for the walkway design for your Maryland home:

  • Brick is a popular choice in Maryland because it goes well with just about any home architecture. Brick is easily accessible, and it presents a clean looking finish. Bricks are maintenance free, and their uniform allow for precise walkway design for your Maryland home.
  • Stone is a great option for the walkway design at your Maryland home. Stone is durable and versatile. Depending on the stone you choose, your walkway design could be very precise or look more natural when you choose uncut stones. Stone also can make the walkway design for your Maryland home pretty affordable.
  • Concrete is another option for the walkway design for your Maryland home. Poured concrete is available in a variety of colors as it can be dyed, textured or tumbled to lend the appearance of natural stone. The size and shape of poured concrete is only limited by the walkway design for your Maryland home.

For more information on walkway design for your Maryland home, please contact East Coast Landscape Design. The East Coast Landscape Design team has over a quarter century of experience in the design and installation of practical and beautiful walkways and pathways. Our design philosophy incorporates walkways seamlessly into the natural landscape of your Maryland home. We work with you to select the best materials to meet your needs, and offer an assortment of low-maintenance, recycled and natural stone materials.

Trends in Maryland Outdoor Dream Kitchens

Replacing your deck or patio? Now may be the time create your Maryland outdoor dream kitchen. In a good number of upscale Maryland homes, a simple grill just doesn’t cut it anymore. For some Marylanders, outdoor kitchens have moved from “nice to have” to “must have” status.

Here are the latest trends in Maryland outdoor dream kitchens:

  • Huge or “Man-Size” Grill – 4 or more burners with side burners
  • Pizza Oven – gas, electric, or wood burning
  • Refrigerator Pub – a fridge with a beer tap and other dispensers
  • Fireplace – for year round backyard family time and entertaining
  • Dining Space – a lux or cozy space to enjoy family and friends
  • Sink — a deep sink is much appreciated when you are cleaning grill equipment
  • Counter space – for easy food prep, with added barstools, and you have an eating space
  • Cabinet space – deep enough for storage, close to food prep and cooking
  • Roasting Spit – cooking for large groups is easier and tastier with a spit
  • Premium Finishes – for patio floors, counters, fireplace hearths, tables and benches
  • Wine Bar – adapted to the temperature changes with a Maryland outdoor kitchen
  • Built-in Wok – keeps your indoor kitchen cool, and adds variety to outdoor cooking
  • Herb Garden – wash and chop fresh herbs within seconds of picking them
  • Smoker – built-in or portable

For more information on Maryland outdoor kitchens, please contact East Coast Landscape Design. East Coast Landscape Design specializes in custom design and precision construction of extraordinary Maryland outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, and fire pits, with beautiful patios and stonework. We pride ourselves in attention to detail in the quality and precision craftsmanship we provide, adding not only beauty but immeasurable value to your home.

 

Maryland Homes Need Erosion Control

Did you know that 90% of the rain that falls in Maryland finds its way into the Bay? That means that the rainwater from your yard can carry fertilizers and toxic chemicals into the Bay. Just like the rain, soil from Maryland yards with poor erosion control makes its way into local streams and creates a toxic sludge that kills off local fish and wildlife.

Here are the signs in Maryland of poor erosion control:

  • Bare spots on your lawn or property
  • Exposed tree roots
  • Small rills (a narrow and shallow incision into topsoil layers) or gullies on slopes
  • Soil splashes on your windows and outside walls
  • Sediment that collects in low areas or on pavement
  • Sediment running down a driveway

Trees, shrubs and ground cover should be planted as a buffer around your yard and in bare areas to soak up nutrients, to reduce run-off, and reduce soil erosion. Other techniques, including drainage pipes and erosion blankets will help Maryland homes with erosion control.

For more information on Maryland yards that need erosion control, please contact East Coast Landscape Design. Our Senior Geotechnical Engineer specializes in drainage and erosion control engineering in Maryland. From appropriate worksite conditions to properly manicured and groomed final grade, East Coast Landscape Design installs confidence with every job. Please contact East Coast Landscape Design today for your Maryland erosion control evaluation.

Steps to Take When Hiring Patio Contractors in Maryland

As you consider your new patio, it’s important that you hire someone from a group of qualified patio contractors doing business in Maryland.  Here are steps you can take to make sure you are hiring the best patio contractor for the job.

  1. Check the patio contractors’ license. A legitimate local patio contractor will be licensed to work in Maryland.
  2. Check the patio contractors’ proof of insurance to protect yourself against liability for any damage that occurs as a result of the work.
  3. Seek recommendations for patio contractors from Maryland friends, neighbors, and co-workers.
  4. Look for patio contractors that have been in business locally for a long time.
  5. Read online reviews.
  6. Get names and contact info for your patio contractor’s previous clients, and call them. Ask about any problems and how the patio contractor handled things.
  7. Get consistent bids based on the same scope of work from the patio contractors, and get them in writing, with details.
  8. Go with your gut. If after all of these steps, something tells you that this isn’t the patio contractor for your Maryland home, don’t move forward. The most important criteria when hiring a contractor is choosing someone you trust.

Please be careful when hiring patio contractors for your Maryland home. You need a trustworthy patio contractor that is licensed to work in Maryland, and has been in business for years. The experts at East Coast Landscape Design have satisfied Maryland customers for over 30 years. Please contact East Coast Landscape Design today.

Don’t Forget the Driveway Design for Your Maryland Home

Driveway design is often an afterthought for homeowners in Maryland when building a new home or designing a landscape. However, the driveway occupies an important place in overall home and property design in Maryland. When planning your driveway, there are several things to consider.

Budget: In driveway design, it’s important to keep in mind initial costs and ongoing maintenance costs. For instance, gravel is the least expensive to begin with, but costs a lot to continually upkeep. While pavers are more expensive in the beginning, they end up costing very little to maintain for Maryland homes.

Curb Appeal: Driveway design can make a big impression on the look of your Maryland house. Certain materials complement certain architectural styles more than others.  A home that may look great with a driveway designed with pavers, but may look out of place with a gravel driveway.

Climate: Driveway design must take the Maryland climate into consideration. Some driveway materials may not be appropriate for the Maryland climate. Snow, humidity, rainfall and temperature changes are all factors that ought to influence your final decision.

Maintenance: Driveway design must take maintenance requirements into account. How often will the driveway need minor and major work, and is this something the Maryland homeowner can handle or are experts needed to maintain the driveway?

Durability: How long do you expect the driveway to last at your Maryland home? What kind of traffic will your driveway be getting?  Driveway durability not only depends on materials, you also need to take into consideration what kind of vehicles will use the driveway. You also need to understand what kind of maintenance is required to maximize lifespan of your driveway at your Maryland home.

Got questions about driveway design for your Maryland home? Please contact East Coast Landscape Design. We’ve been the driveway design experts in Maryland for 30 years, and we are happy discuss your driveway design options with you.