A backyard is a great place to relax or entertain friends and family on a nice day. There are many ways to enhance the appearance and functionality of your yard to make it an even nicer location to spend time all year-round. This includes long-term projects as well as projects that a homeowner can complete over a weekend. Here are some landscaping ideas to help beautify your backyard.
Install a Fire Pit
A fire pit is an excellent addition to a backyard and can make the outdoor space a more enticing spot to hang out when the weather is cold. Fire pits come in many sizes, so consider how many people would be using the fire pit at one time, as well as how much time you are willing to put into its upkeep.Four common types of fuels used in fire pits are propane, natural gas, gel fuel, and wood. Each of these options comes with pros and cons, such as price and ease of use. For example, some people like the authenticity of wood-burning fire pits, while others prefer gel fuel because it does not give off any wood smell or smoke. There are also a wide variety of blocks that you can purchase to build a fire pit that looks nice in your backyard.
Build a Patio
An outdoor patio can seem like another room and is a great addition to both your house and your backyard. Many patios can be enclosed or semi-enclosed with large windows, allowing you to enjoy the ambiance of the outdoors without being exposed to the elements. If you choose to have a full outdoor patio, you can still opt to put a covering over the space to shield you and your guests from harsh sun and rain.Outdoor patios are an especially good option if your backyard is uneven, since patios provide a flat surface for tables and chairs. In addition to adding furniture, other ways to make your patio look pleasant and integrated with the rest of the yard include:
Placing plants and flowers around the patio space
Installing lighting throughout the area
Hanging curtains for ambiance and additional privacy
We can help you decide on the materials you need to build the perfect patio for your backyard.
Create Pathways and Steps
Especially important if you have a large backyard, creating pathways can significantly improve the appearance and functionality of your yard. Some simple materials to use are gravel and wood chips. To make more permanent and elegant pathways, you can use stone, wood, brick, or concrete. With paths, people can enjoy walking through your backyard without worrying about stepping in mud or getting their shoes dirty. If you decide to use wood to build a trail, make sure it is of a variety that will not rot quickly due to dampness or other factors.If you prefer something more natural, there is the option to create a green pathway. This involves making a grass path and ensuring that it is mowed and well-maintained. You can always add stones or other markers on the side of the path to distinguish where the walkway ends.If your backyard is uneven, consider building steps to further add to the ambiance and make getting around the yard easier. Like pathways, steps can consist of stone, wood, brick, or even old car tires. Ensure that the material you use for the steps goes well with the materials you use to build any pathways on the lawn.
Let Us Assist You
The professionals at Red's Home & Garden can help you with all of your landscaping needs. Give us a call today if you need assistance with purchasing materials or have any other questions.
Allan Block retaining walls make it possible to build homes and achieve landscaping projects in some of the most unlikely places. These walls can support foundational structures and significantly reduce soil erosion. Builders have relied on them for millennia, but how exactly do they work?
What Are the Main Types of Retaining Walls?
Before determining the secret to how a retaining wall works, it’s important to understand the two main types. These types bring different structural components and mechanics to the table.
Gravity Walls
Gravity walls require a precise weight and setback to work properly. Setback refers to the angle at which the wall leans to keep the soil in place. The weight of the wall and the degree of leaning from the vertical upright position are the two secrets behind how this type of retaining wall works.
Reinforced Walls
These walls are a little more complicated and require three components: weight, setback and geogrid. The geogrid refers to woven material used to weave soil and other materials together. Geogrid makes it possible for the walls to push back against the strong forces of the heavy soil bracing against them.
What Are Additional Components of Retaining Walls?
Weight, setback and geogrid serve as the core factors behind how these walls work. As well, there are additional components to consider.
Positive Interlock
In a retaining wall, the strength of each component is essential for the overall strength of the wall. To ensure full strength, Allan Block uses a rock-lock connection. Years of experience and experimentation have proven that this is the most stable and reliable block-to-grid interlock. It provides additional strength beyond the materials used to hold each component together.
Internal Stability
The soil and the retaining wall work together to create internal stability. When built correctly, the soil and the retaining wall function together like one cohesive unit. When the internal stability of a retaining wall fails, it can manifest as bulging, pullout or grid rupture.
External Stability
External stability depends on how well designers calculated the force of gravity and the weight of the soil. Proper analysis and accurate execution allow the soil and wall to function as one unit. Engineers achieve external stability by satisfying sliding, overturning, bearing capacity and global stability considerations.
What Are Crucial Design Considerations?
When building a retaining wall, Allan Block must review several factors and how they might affect the strength and functionality of the wall. Planning for these in the initial design phase ensures your retaining wall stands the test of time:
Water Drainage: Water can move more than just soil. It can also move walls and foundation structures, so drainage is crucial to maintaining stability.
Embedment: Engineers need to determine how deep the grid length should extend beyond the wall. This is crucial for meeting gravity mass requirements.
Layers: Retaining walls require enough layers to ensure the internal strength can handle the load created by the soil mass. Layers also need proper spacing to distribute internal forces.
Our home and garden center has everything you need to build a beautiful and functional retaining wall for your home. Find out more about how our trusted partners at Red's Home & Garden, such as Allan Block, can help you achieve your vision.
