Like many Bay Area homeowners, you’ve probably taken measures to reduce your home’s water and energy usage, such as installing water-saving plumbing fixtures and switching to LED lighting. However, you may have overlooked another part of your property: your yard. From your garden to your pool, there are several areas where you can save water and energy by improving your exterior efficiency. Read more
Yard-Wise: 6 Ways to Improve Your Property’s Exterior Efficiency
Posted on August 18, 2022 by James Florence
Posted in: Energy Efficiency, Landscaping Tips
Tags: hardscaping, drought, landscape maintenance, home
Diamond Certified Experts: Renovating With Concrete
Posted on September 14, 2021 by James Florence
From driveways and retaining walls to patios and pool decks, concrete can be used to build a variety of structures. Photo: Calnorthex Concrete ©2021
When it comes to hardscaping projects like installing a new driveway or patio, concrete provides a solid solution. However, before scheduling a project with a concrete contractor, it’s worthwhile to get a glimpse into the process so you know what to expect. To learn more about concrete design, installation and maintenance, we asked five Diamond Certified Expert Contributors to provide their professional insights. Read more
Posted in: Hardscaping
Tags: concrete, backyard, patio, driveway, hardscaping
Specialty Spotlight: Hardscaping
Posted on July 20, 2021 by Suzanne Carroll
Most of us spend more time outdoors during the summer doing activities like gardening, playing sports, grilling meals and socializing with friends. If you’re trying to create the perfect yard for enjoying the warm weather, it’s important to focus on both landscaping and hardscaping. A pathway, patio, retaining wall or any built-in feature in your yard is part of its hardscaping. Below, we’ll explain how hardscaping features can make your yard more beautiful, better for entertaining and even safer. Read more
Posted in: Decks and Patios, Specialty Spotlight
Tags: landscaping, hardscaping, decks, pavers, firescaping
Why You Should Fix That Crack in the Sidewalk
Posted on April 22, 2021 by Suzanne Carroll
A few weeks ago, I was walking down my street and stopped to talk with a neighbor. She was deeply worried. She just learned she was being sued by someone claiming they had been injured after tripping on a cracked portion of the sidewalk in front of her home. I looked at the sidewalk and saw that the county had placed some orange markers on either side of the cracked portion. This news was puzzling to me. The crack wasn’t especially large and had been there for years. It also made me think about all the cracked concrete in my backyard where someone could easily trip. I decided to learn more about homeowner liability regarding sidewalks and what options exist for concrete repair. Read more
Posted in: Hardscaping, Safety
Tags: concrete, hardscaping
What to Do About Soil Erosion
Posted on January 07, 2021 by Suzanne Carroll
California’s steep terrain and forceful winter rainstorms make soil erosion and landslide risk a yearly threat to homes. After months of bone-dry conditions, strong storms can quickly alter hillside terrain. While soil erosion is an inherently natural process, homeowners can take steps to reduce the negative effects erosion may have on their properties. Read more
Posted in: Hardscaping, Landscaping Tips
Tags: landscaping, hardscaping, landslide
Firescaping Your Property
Posted on September 08, 2020 by Suzanne Carroll
The Bay Area has already seen numerous destructive wildfires in 2020, and there are still several weeks of hot, dry weather ahead of us. As wildfires become an increasingly common threat to the region, many homeowners are turning to “firescaping,” which is the coordinated use of fire-resistant plants and building materials around the home. With the right plants and hardscaping features, you can make it harder for wildfire to take hold and spread. Firescaping is a type of landscaping, which means you still have many options to create a garden that reflects your personal style. Aside from improving safety and adding beauty, firescaping can increase the value of your home. Read more
Posted in: Fire Prevention, Uncategorized
Tags: landscaping, hardscaping, wildfire
Industry Organization Spotlight: Interlocking Concrete Paver Institute
Posted on August 20, 2019 by Suzanne Carroll
Since 1993, the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI) has served as the leading trade organization of the segmental concrete paving industry in North America. ICPI’s 1,100 members come from across the United States and Canada. They work as paver manufacturers, installation contractors, designers and suppliers.
ICPI positions itself as the industry’s leading authority on best practices and technical expertise for paver installation and maintenance. The organization’s primary goals are to promote greater use of segmental pavers in residential, commercial and public settings, and to improve the skills and standards of those working in the industry. Read more
Posted in: Industry Organization Spotlight
Tags: hardscaping, industry spotlight, pavers