Tag Archives: Central GA paver patios

You’re never too young or too old

Hammock-patio-Macon lrYouth has a lot of things going for it, but there are some downsides too, even within the narrow topic of home ownership and improvement.  We recently completed a paver patio in the Barrington Hall community.  The couple is pretty young and doesn’t have any kids.  One of the great things about being in a position like this is that you can invite a bunch of friends over for a cookout at a moment’s notice: “We’re going to pick up some food to put on the grill.  Let’s meet up at our place at 6:30.”

Sounds great, right?  Of course early in your career you might not exactly own your dream home. But some aspects of your home can be just like that dream home you are striving toward. And eventually if you stay long enough you may turn your house into that dream home. This couple had a deck that was in pretty bad shape and had a pergola that provided minimal sun protection.  They wanted to renovate the space on a budget getting most of what they wanted without over investing for the neighborhood. During our meetings with them, we discussed what they need now, what their budget for the project was and what they think they might want down the road.

Pavers-Macon-Seating wall lrRather than a new deck we recommended Belgard pavers to create a low maintenance, durable patio. In some instances a paver patio can be the same cost as a pressure treated deck and there is little maintenance with pavers. And when it’s time to sell or when it’s time to add on again the patio will look as nice as the day it was installed. The low seating wall gives the area some visual definition and there is always room for one more friend to drop by.  Out of chairs?  No problem!  On the opposite side of the patio we installed posts for a hammock—this was high on their wish list.

Another aspect of being young is that you never know when you might get a job opportunity in another city.  Rather than going “all in” on this project, our clients chose block styles–Holland Stone in Spice Blend and Weston Wall– that they can match later on if they want to extend the patio space.  They think they might want to add a barbecue bump out in the coming years, but don’t know how long they will be in Macon.  Always work with a builder who asks you about your needs today and tomorrow.  These plans were designed with longevity and flexibility in mind.  The patio looks finished, but can be easily extended.

Paver patio-Macon-Hammock lrOne thing you might notice from the pictures is that the yard is fenced.  We were able to pull down a section of the fence to bring in trucks to move the sand, rock, and the blocks.  When we left, we reinstalled the fence and the owners saved on labor because the crew didn’t have to move all the materials by wheel barrow.  This is a small detail, but can have a big impact on the final cost. Someone unfamiliar with carpentry and paver installation would not recognize this cost saving opportunity. Only companies like Archadeck that work with all aspects of outdoor living construction and design have the resources to offer this kind of service. We are happy to share our professional experience to homeowners of all ages to make their project as easy and rewarding as possible.

If you are considering creating a great new outdoor living space for your Macon / Warner Robins area back yard, or if you want to give a fresh new look to your existing backyard space, give us a call for a free consultation. Together we will work to identify the best structures and materials to create the perfect outdoor living space just for you.

Stephen Denton Owner, Archadeck of Central GA Stephen Denton
Owner, Archadeck of Central GA

Call: (478) 745 – 2000

Email: centralgeorgia@archadeck.net

Visit the patio and hardscape photo gallery on our website for more great design ideas and inspiration.

Archadeck of Central GA discusses how using hardscapes can increase poolside pleasure!

macon-above ground pool-deckWarmer days are just around the corner and now is the time of year when many Central Georgia homeowners are starting to plan the addition of a new pool or planning to update their pool area. Archadeck of Central GA explores some of the choices for turning your poolside area into pure paradise!

The first element to consider is whether you have or will have an in ground or above ground pool. Above ground pools are generally less expensive to install, but they are not nearly as big as an in ground pool. If you decide to build a deck space to encompass the entire area around an above-ground pool, the costs can rapidly increase  making the combined cost of pool and deck more expensive than an in ground pool.

Forsyth-pool-deck lr

The topography of your backyard may determine the type of pool you have as well. If the yard is sloped and grading is not financially feasible, then an above ground fiberglass pool may be the answer. A deck is typically the only way to provide usable space here.

macon-fiberglass pool-deckThese are important considerations when looking at the “big picture” with your anticipated outdoor living pool area.

When choosing an in ground pool, the most common construction for the space around is concrete. Usually a pool contractor will recommend using a product like Kool Deck. This is a thin coating that goes over the top of the surface of the concrete to keep it cool on your feet. The problem is that it doesn’t adhere to the cement well and will eventually come off. There are two problems with all concrete: it cracks and it cracks! When water  gets in these cracks it then gets underneath the Kool Deck. All it takes is a freeze to cause the Kool Deck to pop loose. Archadeck of Central GA offers a better alternative that will increase the beauty and function of your poolside area for years to come.

Take a look at this paver patio we built in Warner Robins. This poolside area also includes a custom-built fire pit to match the pavers, an open porch, and a full outdoor kitchen.

We recommend adding concrete pavers around your pool. They are frequently used for pool decks and are durable, versatile, affordable and tough. Pavers have many qualities making them the perfect choice around a pool. They are salt resistant, slip resistant, and chlorine will not affect their colors. The joints between pavers will take on moisture and leave the pavement cooler under foot.  However, like any colored material, the darker colors tend to retain more heat than lighter colors. Another advantage of using pavers is that even in the event of a paver breaking, it’s easily replaceable. There are tons of styles and colors of pavers to choose from expanding the choices of the look you wish to achieve. Adding pavers is easy to do when your pool is under construction. If you already have a concrete pool surround, we can install pavers atop the concrete. We can use thin pavers which cost less or the standard 2-3/4 inch paver.

paver patio pool patio hardscape  warner robinsHere are some options to increase your pool-side enjoyment. If you already have a space that’s just too small, you can add a patio or expand the space around your pool to add more outdoor living enjoyment. This may include adding a pergola or a porch roof for use as a poolside shade structure. An open porch is a great poolside option, and pergolas can be built to include sun screens or canopies atop. We can also build structures to mask the areas you don’t want people to see and keep those areas  “incognito” such as pool pumps and other mechanics that aid in operating your pool. Archadeck of Central GA can also design and build versatile benches or retaining walls using paver walls that are made to match your paver flooring so your finished space is cohesive. In addition to the many amenities that we offer to create your perfect poolside paradise, we can also design a tranquil outdoor shower, outdoor fire feature or even a custom pool house– the possibilities are as endless as your imagination!

perry-ga-pool house lrIf you are planning a new backyard pool addition or improving and existing pool area contact us to help design a poolside space that will make the most out of your outdoor living space! We can work and coordinate with your pool contractor.

Call Archadeck of Central GA today for a free quote • (478) 745 – 2000 •

email: centralgeorgia@archadeck.net

See more poolside ideas by visiting our patio and hardscape photo gallery, our porches photo gallery and our pergola and trellis photo gallery located on our website.

Stephen Denton, owner of Archadeck of Central GA

Building the perfect paver patio is more than just child’s play

Paver patio in Macon, GA
This paver patio in North Macon, GA is built to last for many years to come.

Nowadays, it seems that anything to do with improving your home or landscape can be done by being a do-it-yourselfer. Home improvement projects are idealized all over the media to make projects look easy, even for a novice. The truth is there are certain projects that need to be done by a professional in order to get the best result. One of those projects that are best left to a pro is installing a paver patio. To an amateur, at first glance, it may appear to be a simple task laying out pavers right? Properly installing a paver or hardscape patio is much more complicated than it seems. There is a great deal more to building one than laying some sand and pushing pavers into the ground.

Central GA patio builder macon warner robins
We pay close attention to every important construction detail of our paver patios.

Taking on a task of this magnitude requires knowledge and experience because each patio requires different measures to ensure it lasts and lives up to your expectations. The area you are considering for placement of your patio may need amending to build it up, or in some cases even removing a portion of the soil to make certain the patio is positioned and constructed properly. One common misconception about installing pavers is all you have to do is lay the pavers down on the ground and tamp them down and all is fine. The reality is it may be fine for a short period of time but the ground will move and shift causing the pavers to sink and rise resulting in uneven spaces, trip hazards, and a giant mess. Paver patios require a solid foundation just like building a home or other building requires.

pool paver patio-warner robins
The Belgard patio that surrounds The pool also includes a special paver made especially for the edges of pools. It delivers a smooth, eased edge to ease into the pool painlessly.

 

There is an art of precision in properly installing pavers. The Dutch perfected and modernized the art in the 1940 s with the Holland Stone Paver. If pavers are installed properly then they can last a lifetime. Take for example the renowned hardscape expertise and craftsmanship used in creating the Great Wall of China. Archadeck of Central Georgia uses the same process and principles used in one of the greatest wonders of the world, in our paver patio construction today.

Our first step is to begin with a solid base, or foundation, to work from. We achieve this by applying a 4 inch aggregate base with an additional inch of sand for the pavers to sit in on top of our foundation. These are compacted with a sled tamper to ensure no movement or settlement in the future. The solid base will ensure the patio will remain flat indefinitely and will keep it from being subjected to freezing, thawing and other soil conditions caused by the rain. The ICPI (Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute) sets the standards by which paver patios and walkways are constructed. Normally paver patios include a slight slope in order for water to run off. We can also use permeable pavers which allow the water to travel through the pavers. Many times permeable pavers are the perfect answer for yards that cannot be covered in concrete for rainwater runoff by building codes of that area. If you have an area where drainage is not possible, such as a pool or close proximity to a neighbor then these pavers are the perfect answer.

See our paver patio construction pictures below for what is involved in building a professional patio.

Preparing the site for a paver patio
Preparing the site for a paver patio
pouring the aggregate base
Pouring the aggregate base
Placement of pavers
Placement of pavers
Final compaction
Final compaction
Stephen Denton, owner of Archadeck of Central GA
Stephen Denton, owner of Archadeck of Central GA

With all the important basics and nuances that go into constructing a paver patio that will stand the test of time and deliver you years of outdoor living enjoyment, it makes sense to hire a professional paver builder to handle this type of project. Contact Archadeck of Central Georgia to take care of the hard stuff, all you have to consider is the many different ways you will be able to enjoy your structure upon completion.
Call for a free consultation: (478) 745 – 2000
centralgeorgia@archadeck.net

See more beautifully constructed paver patios by visiting our patio and hardscape gallery located on our website.

Central GA hardscapes are strong in more ways than one

Paver patio in Macon, GA
This paver patio in North Macon, GA also provides shade with the beautiful pergola atop the structure.

The word hardscape in itself communicates strength and durability.  The hardscape is a strong choice in more ways than one. Not only is a professionally installed hardscape strong enough to drive a car on it, our hardscapes are built to withstand various and changing soil conditions as well as the effects of the elements. Requiring little to to maintenance, the pergola is a very strong choice for your outdoor living space.

This project in the Providence community in Macon GA is one example of the impact a quality hardscape can have on your backyard. The project includes a paver patio covered by a pergola. A deck would not have worked in this yard and because the homeowners wanted the least possible maintenance.  Hardscapes, in general require even less maintainance than composites or PVC.

Providence, GA paver patio and pergola
Here is another view of this paver patio and pergola project, in North Macon ( Providence), GA.

Building a home-made paver patio is generally not a good idea. Individual soil conditions vary greatly from yard to yard, Almost all home-made patios will inevitably move, sink, bulge and/or crack.  A professionally designed and built hardscape patio from Archadeck of Central Georgia is made to last. We dig down 4-6″  deep, apply a 4-6″ base of aggregate and make sure it is properly compacted before we even begin laying the pavers.

We use Belgard hardscaping materials almost exclusively. Belgard is a top quality hardscape that has a long history of successful applications on thousands of residential and commercial projects. Commonly used applications of Belgard hardscape materials include driveways, walkways and paver patios.

Using pavers allows a lot of design flexibility. We specialize in patterns, border-colors and multi-color designs. We can even incorporate a pathway to the driveway, garden area, or front of your house that matches and works in unison with the paver selection you choose.

The Belgard line has tremendous range in shapes, sizes and colors but right now earth tones and neutrals are popular. Earth tones are often highlighted with grays, blues and reds. The Cambridge cobble is a very popular color here in the Macon/Warner Robins and surrounding area. The Holland line is also popular and has a more traditional feel and style. Belgard also offers a line of outdoor fireplaces, fire pits and outdoor kitchens.

SPLCambridge008
Belgard's popular Cambridge Cobble offers a tailored, architectural look with gently rounded corners and a domed surface.

 

NFDHollandHighland
Belgard's Holland line is a solid choice for residential and commercial applications.

If  a paver patio is something you are planning in the near future, now is the perfect season to start. It is the best time of the year to build due to the heavy equipment used when constructing a paver patio. Spring is the optimum time for the turf to recover from stress, whereas other seasons make it less resilient due to weather and temperature conditions.

Stephen Denton, owner of Archadeck of Central GA
Stephen Denton, owner of Archadeck of Central GA

Contact Archadeck of Central Georgia to learn more about our strong and beautiful patio and hardscape designs today. Call for a free consultation: (478) 745 – 2000
centralgeorgia@archadeck.net