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

Signs That Retaining Walls in Silver Spring MD Are Failing

Winter time weather can cause some serious problems with retaining walls in Silver Spring MD.  The main culprits are the freeze-thaw cycle, and rain/snow on top of ground that is already saturated. So what are the signs that retaining walls in Silver Spring MD are failing?

  • Retaining walls separating from adjacent walls;
  • Tilting or forward movement of sections of retaining walls;
  • Partial to total collapse of retaining walls;
  • Buckling, cracked, or crumbling Walls; and
  • Wood rot or deterioration

If you notice any of the above signs with your retaining walls in Silver Spring MD, please contact East Coast Landscape Design, the Washington D.C. area’s leading licensed landscape design company. Located in Montgomery County, Maryland since 1979, the company has designed and installed retaining walls and other landscape projects, including patios, outdoor kitchens, and driveways in Silver Spring MD.

Posted on Author mdlandscaperCategories retaining walls, Silver Spring MD

Using Your North Potomac MD Patio During the Winter

When you think of the patio at your North Potomac Maryland home, you probably never consider the potential for storage space it holds. Often homeowners across the Potomac MD area consider a patio as a flat surface used for sitting or entertaining but that underutilize the patio’s capabilities.

The temperature may be colder than you’d like, but the wind is actually the problem in this situation. The elimination of wind is key to making your winter patio visits as pleasant as possible. Install shades or blinds around your patio to block the winds from entering your Potomac MD patio. A natural material such as wood or bamboo blocks the wind and works with the exterior of your home in a complementary way.

Consider what you and your guests will be seated on when choosing chairs. Materials like metal or plastic fare well in the elements of winter, but they lack basic comfort. Choose patio furniture with a padded, waterproof seat for extra softness and warmth. The material will absorb and retain your body heat giving you warmth.

Be sure your patio is well-lit in the winter months to avoid slip-and-fall accidents in the snow or on the ice. Rather than hanging a single light above the patio, consider installing smaller lights throughout the area to create warmth in the environment.

Find a heat source for your winter patio. Whether you invest in a small wood-burning stove to place in the center of your patio, or would rather invest in a permanent heat source, you do not have to be cold when you enjoy the outdoors. Some Maryland homeowners opt for a masonry built fireplace to add a permanent elegance to the patio.

For more information on how you can design your patio for winter use in Potomac MD contact the professional patio contractors at East Coast Landscape Design.

Posted on Author mdlandscaperCategories North Potomac MD, patio

Landscape Design for Bethesda, MD Winters

Great landscape design in Bethesda, MD should allow you to keep your landscape safe and usable during the winter. With careful planning, you will be able to enjoy the view and wildlife while you use the hot tub, barbecue, patio, and walkways around your home. Here are some upgrades to consider:

  • Covered structures: A covered deck keeps the snow off of the hot tub, and allows you to grill out of the snow, sleet, and rain. A heated all season room allows you to enjoy the outside and wildlife, while staying comfy inside.
  • Heated patios and walkways:  Heating elements installed under new patios and walkways keep them clear of snow and ice, and safe for your family and friends.
  • Low-voltage lighting: Uplighting or downlighting adds beauty to winter landscape, and allows you to see winter wildlife.
  • Create interest: When annuals have died off and perennials are dormant, landscape design should consider the placement of evergreens and ornamental grasses. Include trees and shrubs that have berries they hold onto during fall and winter, and those can provide food for birds overwintering in your area.

For more information on landscape design for your Bethesda, MD home, please contact East Coast Landscape Design. A successful landscape installation begins with a solid all-season design. Every East Coast installation in Bethesda, MD is completed with the utmost care and attention that you expect from a professional landscape company like East Coast Landscape Design.

Posted on Author mdlandscaperCategories Bethesda MD, landscape design

Keep Your Flagstone Patio in Rockville, MD Looking Great All Year Long

Want your flagstone patio in Rockville, MD to look great in the spring and summer? You’ll need to do some fall maintenance on your flagstone patio to save yourself a great deal of time and money once spring rolls around in Rockville, MD.  Here are five things to do:

  1. Store all furniture, and any garden pots or implements away from the patio.
  2. Clean the flagstone patio thoroughly.
  3. Strip away any unwanted sealant (carefully!)
  4. Repair/replace damage stones.
  5. Re-seal the flagstone (allow time to dry before rain/ice/snow occurs).

For more information on caring for your flagstone patios in Rockville, 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 practical and beautiful patios, walkways, and driveways in Rockville, MD.

Posted on Author mdlandscaperCategories flagstone patio, Rockville Md

What to Expect from Landscapers in Bethesda, MD in the Fall

In the fall, landscapers in Bethesda, MD need to put your yard to bed for the winter. Here are the fall activities you may expect from quality landscapers, like East Coast Landscapers, at your home in Bethesda, MD.

  • They will cut perennials back to soil level and remove debris to the compost pile.
  • Split perennials that have begun to overgrow their placement.
  • Remove annual plantings in the landscape.
  • Plant trees and shrubs.
  • Add a layer of mulch or organic matter to plantings to help conserve moisture and protect the root systems, especially for new plantings.
  • Overseed the lawn.
  • Cut lawn to about 2.5”.
  • Remove debris such as leaves and other dead plant material from the landscape will prevent the spread of certain fungi that can infect new leaf tissue during the following spring.
  • Remove the unwanted debris will also eliminate nesting areas for critters.
  • Adjust the watering schedule for the irrigation system.

For information on what to expect from landscapers in Bethesda, 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 Bethesda, MD home.

Posted on Author mdlandscaperCategories Bethesda MD, landscapers

Keep Your Flagstone Patio in Rockville, MD Looking Great All Year Long

Want your flagstone patio in Rockville, MD to look great in the spring and summer? You’ll need to do some fall maintenance on your flagstone patio to save yourself a great deal of time and money once spring rolls around in Rockville, MD.  Here are five things you can do:

  1. Store all furniture, and any garden pots or implements away from the patio.
  2. Clean the flagstone patio thoroughly.
  3. Strip away any unwanted sealant (carefully!)
  4. Repair/replace damage stones.
  5. Re-seal the flagstone (allow time to dry before rain/ice/snow occurs).

For more information on caring for your flagstone patios in Rockville, 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 practical and beautiful patios, walkways, and driveways in Rockville, MD.

Posted on Author mdlandscaperCategories flagstone patio, Rockville Md

Driveway Design Tips for North Potomac, MD Winters

In considering a driveway design for your North Potomac, MD home, most homeowners tend to think about how the driveway will look during the spring and summer. However, the best driveway design compensates for North Potomac, MD winters – and snow and ice removal.

Here are some ways great driveway design can save money and time on winter maintenance:

  • A wide driveway is easiest for a snow plow to navigate, and will save you money every year on snow management.
  • Leave a place to put the snow – either on the sides of the driveway, or a large area off the end of the driveway.
  • Keep landscaping highly visible, well back from the driveway and in highly visible for your snow maintenance folks.
  • Driveway should have an even surface, so as not to catch and be damaged by snow-removal equipment.
  • Avoid lighting or gates right next to the driveway where they could be damaged by a plow.

For more information on driveway design for homes in North Potomac, MD, please contact East Coast Landscape Design. Accurate engineering and planning are essential for any well-constructed driveway, and at East Coast Landscape Design, we have skilled, trained engineers to assist in the design of your North Potomac, MD driveway.

Posted on Author mdlandscaperCategories driveway design, North Potomac MD

Landscape Design in Gaithersburg, MD: Fall is a Great Time for Planting Trees and Shrubs

Fall is an ideal season for planting trees, shrubs and other assorted plants as a part of the landscape design for your Gaithersburg, MD home. Why?

The cooler, wetter weather is the perfect time for tree planting.  This is because the soil stays warm even after the air temperature cools, and that encourages root growth. During shoot dormancy, trees grow to establish roots in new locations before warm weather stimulates top growth.

Therefore, planting trees and shrubs in fall enables the root systems to grow before the hot summer returns. Trees planted in the fall are better equipped to deal with heat and drought in the following season. Your smaller plants will be established before winter sets in, and get a head start over shrubs in the spring. Larger plants will also get a head start since a general rule of thumb is one year per one inch of trunk diameter.

Another great reason to plant in the fall is because you can pick your trees and shrubs by the fall color they produce. Some tree species that are recommended for fall planting include the maple, buckeye, horse chestnut, alder, catalpa, hackberry, hawthorn, ash, honey locust, crabapple, spruce, pine, sycamore, linden and elm.

Planting can begin in September through November, but should not go too late into the fall, since the shrubs and trees won’t have as long to grow their root systems before the first hard freeze.

For more information on adding trees and shrubs to your landscape design in Gaithersburg, MD, please contact East Coast Landscape Design. A successful landscape installation begins with a solid design that includes a balanced choice of plants, shrubs, and trees for your Gaithersburg, MD property. Every East Coast installation is completed with the utmost care and attention that you expect from a professional landscape company like East Coast Landscape Design.

Posted on Author mdlandscaperCategories Gaithersburg MD, landscape design