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RYAN’S LANDSCAPING

Monthly Archives: March 2014

Unwind By a Relaxing Waterscape

Water features such as a pond, fountain, or waterfall are almost always the first thing that catches the attention of your guests.

Backyard Watergarden Pond Installation in Adams County - Ryan's Landscaping

That’s why these are one of the most popular ideas for landscaping today! Water is naturally very relaxing, so it makes sense that people would want to have water in their gardens.

  • Pondless Fountain Installation in Hanover, Pa 17331- Ryan's Landscaping
    Pondless Fountain Installation in Hanover, Pa 17331- Ryan's Landscaping

Waterfalls are especially desirable because you not only get the look of a garden pond, but also the serenity of the sound of splashing water.

Garden fountains can make a nice addition to your landscaping if you don’t have room for a full pond or a winding waterfall and stream.

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Pavers vs. Stamped Concrete

Nicolock Stone Ridge Paver Patio Installation Hanover, Pa - Ryan's Landscaping

When deciding between the choice of stamped concrete or pavers cost is often a determining factor. Although, the two may be very similar in price depending on materials and pattern. The most important part you will want to consider is the life of the structure.

 

Patio with Fire Pit & Seating Wall Outdoor Living Hardscape by Ryan's Landscaping in Littlestown, PA

Paving stones define beauty, elegance and durability for driveways, pool decks, walkways and patios. Properly installed paving stones won’t crack, sag, shift or separate. It will look fantastic for generations, and if it ever becomes stained or marred by paint or oil it can be repaired quickly, easily and invisibly. Individual stones can be replaced with matching ones so that the surface looks exactly as it did before the accident occurred. This is impossible with any other type of pavement.

PAVERS aka PAVING STONES

  • They won’t crack – when installed correctly.
  • Paver patterns and colors can be mixed and matched to create unique designs with accent borders and bandings.
  • Endless colors, textures, and shapes, so there is no limit on what materials you can use.
  • Lifetime of color and enjoyment. Most of our pavers are enhanced with a paver-shield technology making the paving stones fade resistant.
  • Very low maintenance, the joints may need to be retouched with sand every few years with polymeric sand that binds and hardens the sand grains to each other and the pavers too.

As with pavers, the costs of repair, if necessary can be far more beneficial than that those for repairing stamped concrete.

STAMPED CONCRETE

Cracked Concrete Hanover, PA Stamped Concrete Hanover, Pa Decorative Concrete Hanover, PA

Although there are some advantages to decorative or stamped concrete, it is almost inevitable that the concrete will crack at some point in time.  Common causes of cracking are when the base moves due to load baring or settlement, and the fact that concrete tends to shrink over time.  Concrete may also crack as a result of the expansion and contraction caused by freezing, thawing, and other changes in the weather. The reason contractors place joints in concrete.

  • The sealer needs to be reapplied every 2-3 years.
  • Colors may fade over time.
  • There is the possibility for deterioration from de-icing salts. 

Cracking of stamped concrete patios or walkways can be very expensive to repair. To repair the concrete correctly you would have the area destroyed and removed and then installed again. The other options are to leave the area as is, which will look very unattractive and can become a tripping hazard over a period of time. There is a filling agent that can be applied to the damaged area, but it is still visible and won’t correct an area that rises up.

Even though stamped concrete can be very attractive and maybe more affordable in some cases compared to pavers, it is clear that pavers outweighs the option of concrete when considering the life of the structure.

Did you know pavers can be applied over concrete?

Contact Us for a free consultation @ (717)632-4074

Steps & Stairs: Adding Functional Beauty to Your Landscape

Landscape steps and rockface step treads have become a trend amongst our customers. 

One of the most functional ways to work with levels of a landscape or hardscape is through the use of steps.  Simply put, steps allow for ease of access in settings that contain a slope or hilly conditions.

Besides their functional purpose, steps also help to provide definition of space and also help enhance the aesthetic quality of an outdoor environment. Any of our steps and stair systems can be built with natural stone, retaining wall block, rockface treads, or slabs as you can see below.

Contact Us for a free consultation @ (717)632-4074.

Start Entertaining Around an Outdoor Fire Pit

Amongst other outdoor entertainment features, a fire pit or fire place can be very entertaining… This is one option you should consider whenever your planing your outdoor living space. Fire features are not only a great focal point, but may also define the theme and mood of any occasion.

Outdoor Hanover Fireplace Kit Ryan's Landscaping Hardscape

Another benefit of having an outdoor fire feature is that it allows you to entertain guests and family outdoors in the evenings, even in the Fall when there’s a little chill in the air. Entertaining around the flames of a fire easily translates into having a great time outdoors in any season. As the orange fire casts a positive glow over everything and everyone, the mood in your backyard will be more cheerful.

  • HARDSCAPES

You can use your outdoor fire feature for entertaining by making it the focal centerpiece. The area around the fire pit can be decorated to match whatever theme you have chosen for the occasion.

A fire pit can be used for cooking kabobs and hot dogs, or roasting marshmallows for s’mores. And with a fire pit that stays lit throughout the night, you can experiment with other recipes. 

There are so many things you can do around an outside fire feature. 

Watch us install a fire pit feature! Fire-pit, Seating Wall, Walkway & Patio Hardscape

Contact Us for a free consultation @ (717)632-4074.

What is a Hardscape?

We are asked all the time, what is hardscaping? Hardscaping is the placement of non-plant elements consisting of structures, such as patios, walkways, retaining walls, steps, fire pits, and outdoor kitchens.  Made with hard materials hardscapes can be built out of block, pavers, brick, & stone.

Hanover Backyard Patio Hardscape - Ryan's Landscaping

Hanover Backyard Patio Hardscape – Ryan’s Landscaping

 

We can design and install unique hardscape features that will enhance your property’s value and take your breath away every time you step outside. There are endless styles, colors, textures, bricks, and retaining wall stone for every project.

Entryway Steps, Stoop, & Walkway Hardscape Spring Grove, PA - Ryan's Landscaping

Entryway Steps, Stoop, & Walkway Hardscape Spring Grove, PA – Ryan’s Landscaping

 

At Ryan’s Landscaping we know choosing a hardscape contractor right the first time is important. Our hardscapes offer both functions, beauty, and are built to last. We have been providing York & Adams County area families with quality and well-built hardscapes for over 10 years. Ryan’s Landscaping uses only the best quality products when purchasing hardscape materials for your retaining walls, paver patios, and walkways. Guaranteed, to hold up against weather, and every day wear and tear.

  • Elevated Hanover Paver Patio Hardscape Featuring Seating Wall with Banding - Ryan's Landscaping
    Elevated Hanover Paver Patio Hardscape Featuring Seating Wall with Banding - Ryan's Landscaping

Contact Us to set up a free consultation @ (717)632-4074.