1. Walkways and Edging

Define your garden beds with edging pavers to create a unique border around existing plants and shrubs. Edging protects plants from weeds and excess grass and, when paired with a paver-walkway, it reduces muddy foot-traffic.

2. Driveways

Add a colorful paver border to an existing asphalt driveway or replace the asphalt entirely for a completely updated look. There are endless color combinations and textures to match the architecture of your home, and new manufacturing options help the pavers keep their shape and color for years to come.

3. Retaining Walls & Steps

Retaining walls are great for sloped areas where the land may not be suitable for a garden or other landscaping. Staircases can also be constructed out of pavers, most often capped with ledgestone for a sleek finish.

4. Fire Pits & Grills

There’s nothing more inviting than a cozy fire! Textured pavers can be used to build a sunken fire pit or outdoor fireplace. Match the pavers with the color of your siding and add accent stone for a completely custom design. Most pavers are often heat-resistant and ideal for backsplashes or accent walls in outdoor kitchens, grills and bar settings.

5. Outdoor Seating

Pavers make beautiful seating areas. Construct single benches or use ledgestone to cap existing retaining walls, saving money (and space) on outdoor furniture.

6. Water Features & Poolscapes

Whether you live in the suburbs or on acres of land, water features add a unique focal point to your landscape. Smooth, permeable pavers are a common selection around built-in pools, as they dry quickly and are less prone to seasonal damage. Elegant waterfalls can be added in and around existing pools, or use pavers to build stand-alone waterfalls near natural ponds or man-made bodies of water.

Gas fire features have been becoming more popular in the last few years due to the advancing technology, including remote controllers and timers. They make a great addition to any landscape and have lower maintenance requirements...no more cleaning coal or chopping wood! And, if you don't care for the smell of burning wood, a gas fireplace or firepit is perfect for you. 

Unfortunately, these luxuries do come at a price. Gas fire features are often 3-4 times more expensive than their wood-burning counterparts due to the amount of work needed to install them. Unlike a wood-burning version, a gas fire feature requires a burner kit and gas line installation, which requires a permit. Most landscape companies will subcontract the gas hook-up, which may result in the installation timeline being longer. 

An additional cost for the gas version is a cover. We recommend covering your gas fireplace or firepit when it's not in use to avoid any damage to the burners. 

Wood-burning fireplaces and firepits are still the most common outdoor fire feature we see in landscaping. Without the need for a gas line, they are quick to build and are definitely more cost effective. If you already have an outdoor patio, wood-burning fireplaces and firepits can typically be installed on the existing structure and are easy to customize. When installing, it's best to include a layer of egg rock under the flame to elevate the wood and reduce moisture. This also helps alleviate smoke and tar build-up on the surrounding brick.

Whether you choose gas or wood-burning, a fire feature will undoubtedly enhance your outdoor living space and give you easy access to all-season marshmallow roasting! Contact D.A. Alexander & Company, Inc. to learn more about our award-winning landscape designs and for help in choosing the perfect fire feature for your family.