Tag Archives: Gettysburg PA
Pavers vs. Stamped Concrete
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.
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
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.
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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.
2014 Adams County Home Show
Ryan’s Landscaping has been serving the Gettysburg and Adams County area for several years. We are happy to be apart of the Adams County community and enjoy participating in activities that promote the local area’s events. So this year Ryan’s Landscaping will be participating in the 2014 Adams County Home Show hosted by the Builders Association of Adams County.
Dates & Times: Friday February 21st from 5pm – 8pm
Saturday February 22nd from 10am – 7pm
Where: Allstar Events Complex
2638 Emmitsburg Rd.
Gettysburg, PA 17325
Hanover, Gettysburg, & York’s Premier Retaining Wall and Hardscape Company
We know choosing a retaining wall contractor right the first time is important. Our retaining walls offer both functions, beauty, and are built to last. We have been providing York & Adams County area families with quality and well-built retaining walls for over 10 years.
When considering hiring a contractor there are many questions that go into building a retaining wall that must be asked.
1. How wide and deep should the footing be? (This is the most important part of the project)
2. Does the contractor have experience?
3. What type of equipment do I need?
4. Does it need to be engineered?
5. How much drainage do I need?
6. How tall should it be?
We can take the guessing part out for you. At Ryan’s Landscaping we stand ready to serve you and answer any and all questions that may come up during the project. As with any retaining wall project, the chances of problems coming up are there. With over 25 years of combined experience we work proactively to minimize any downtime on your project.
We pride ourselves on making sure your retaining wall is installed properly the first time. Everything from digging the footing, to adding the proper drainage behind the wall. We will see to it that it’s done right the first time
Any of our retaining walls can be built using Keystone, PaveStone, Allan Block, Versa – Lok, Techo – Bloc, Nicolock, or any other system you may think of.
Who is Ryan’s Landscaping:
From landscape design to retaining walls, ponds to pavers. Ryan’s Landscaping is the Hanover Area, Gettysburg, and York’s most well–respected landscape and retaining wall contractors. Why? Because our work motto is “Professional quality from start to finish”. Make an appointment online or call 717-632-4074.
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THE PROS OF SOD INSTALLATION
Your new sod will give your yard instant grass after installation…
The installation of sod is a popular way to establish a new lawn. Most of the sod purchased is a blend of different Kentucky bluegrass varieties or a mixture of other common turfgrass types (i.e., fine fescue, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue). When installed correctly on properly amended soil, in the appropriate sunlight conditions and where correct maintenance is provided, a sod lawn can be a valuable part of your landscape.
Instant Lawn
Sod turns a bare patch of ground into a grass-covered lawn as soon as you finish installing it. You get the instant satisfaction of having a green yard. A seeded lawn requires several weeks before the grass grows in. The area looks patchy as the grass first starts to grow. A seed-planted lawn is often covered with straw or similar materials to protect the seeds, leaving the yard looking unattractive. If you don’t have the patience to wait for a dense lawn grown from seed, sod is a faster alternative.
Less Irrigation
Once installed, sod requires less maintenance than grass seed. Sod needs regular irrigation to keep it moist until it becomes firmly established, but the sod typically won’t dry out as fast as a grass-seeded area. A seeded lawn sometimes needs four or more watering sessions per day to keep the ground moist, depending on the weather conditions. Sod usually only needs to be watered twice daily. The less frequent irrigation saves on water and reduces your workload in caring for the new grass.
Faster Use
Because the grass is already grown, a sodded yard is ready for use faster than a seeded lawn. The young grass blades that emerge from seeds are delicate and susceptible to damage. Walking on the lawn and using it for regular activities like playing or entertaining may result in trampled or dead grass. Sod has a head start in growth. The roots usually become established in the lawn in two to four weeks. While light activity is still best in the first four to six weeks, sod is generally ready for use sooner than a seeded lawn.
Soil Protection
Grass seeds rest on top of the soil, leaving them susceptible to the wind. Until the seeds germinate and widespread grass growth is established, the soil is also more likely to blow away. Because sod is a thick mat of established grass, it covers the soil completely, keeping it in place. The covered soil also means you’ll carry less dirt and mud into the house when walking across the lawn.
Contact Us today. Consultations are always free or call 717-632-4074, we will be happy to assist you.
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