OUTDOOR LIVING - Southview Design

1875 EAST 50TH STREET
WAT E R S C A P E S * G R E E N S C A P E S * H A R D S C A P E S * E S C A P E S
INVER GROVE HEIGHTS
OUTDOOR LIVING
M I N N E S O TA 5 5 0 7 7
IRRIGATION REMINDER
For irrigation maintenance and startup call: Amy Hanna,
(651) 203-3003. Or, schedule online at www.southviewdesign.com
Looks like old-world cobblestones,
but it’s not. Concrete pavers like
Mega-Bergerac from Belgard®
accurately reproduce the historic,
European feel of natural stone.
LANDSCAPE SUPPLIES
Join Southview Design
at the Twin Cities Pond
and Landscape Tour™ — a self-guided tour
showcasing the area’s most spectacular landscapes,
ponds, outdoor living rooms, and waterscapes.
July 21 & 22 North Metro Parade – 10 AM to 5 PM
July 28 & 29 South Metro Parade – 10 AM to 5 PM
Tickets: $20 per person, kids 12 and under, free.
Don’t miss the nightscaping portion of the tour both
Saturday evenings from 9:00 - 11:00 PM. Tickets are
good for all four days of the tour.
Purchase tickets at www.hedberglandscape.com, or at
any Hedberg Landscape Supplies or Guarantee Banks
(in Rainbow Foods). For more information, call
(763) 392-5937. All proceeds benefit:
Patio Pointers
The patio is one of the most important features of your
outdoor living area. So it’s important to plan carefully,
choose the right materials, and above all, build a compact and secure base before installing pavers, stone, or
concrete.
Before you build: plan
The design and placement of your patio is determined
by several factors: how you will use the space, traffic flow,
sun patterns, septic systems, and grading.
Tim Johnson has been designing landscapes for ten years
and has earned his specialized certification in patio construction from the Interlocking Concrete Paver Institute
(ICPI). “Planning is key. I usually start the design process by asking clients about how they entertain, especially
the size of the group. Not the once a year events, but the
typical get-togethers. We also talk about how they prepare and serve food, whether they need space for grilling, beverages, a fire pit, furnishings, lighting, and so
on,” says Tim. The primary goal is to create a space that
is comfortable, aesthetically pleasing, and functional.
In addition to how the patio will be used, it’s important
to consider the unique characteristics of the site. “You
would be surprised how many people plop their patio
right outside the back door, and then discover that at
dinner time, it’s uninhabitable because of the angle of
the sun, or that it’s awkward getting in and out of the
house,” he adds. In some cases, the best location for the
patio may be farther from the house, where the sun and
traffic patterns are optimal. Planting older trees, building an arbor for privacy and shade, and choosing easyto-move furniture can all help make patios and outdoor
areas habitable at all hours, throughout the season.
The right location really depends on the property.
Sometimes drainage and septic issues will affect where
you can (or can’t) put the patio. If the grade is steep,
multi-level patios, with different areas for eating, a fire
pit, and sometimes grilling, or an outdoor kitchen are
Stamped colored concrete was used to create
this multi-level design. The seat wall and fire pit
are concrete with stone veneer. BELOW Cultivating
grass between flagstones requires a precise mix
of sand and topsoil, and some special care.
ABOVE
Skilled installation of flagstone results in a balanced mix of
shapes, colors, and sizes. Stones of varying thicknesses must
be carefully set, so the surface is even and level.
common. “I see a lot of people entertaining in the
front yard now,” says Tim. “People come by and they
want to sit down to visit for a minute, while the kids
ride their bikes or play night games.”
Materials: pros and cons
The three most popular patio materials are concrete
pavers, natural stone, and stamped concrete. When
selecting materials, consider appearance, costs, maintenance, durability and snow removal.
the site, but is generally comparable to concrete
pavers. Like any concrete slab, cracks from freezing
and thawing can be a problem.
Compact base prevents
shifting, creeping
When it comes to patios, what you can’t see is just as
important as what you can. Without a stable base, pavers will separate on the inside, the outside will sink and
tip, and the patio will lose its tight uniform look.
Concrete Pavers are available in a wide range of surface finishes, colors, shapes, and patterns. The initial
cost is moderate and installation can be done by the
homeowner or a professional. The smooth surface
allows for easy snow removal.
No matter what material you choose, a patio requires a
minimum of 6 inches of compacted Class 5 aggregate
base. Class 5 base is a mix of 3⁄4-inch rock mixed with
“fines” which help provide a solid base by filling in the
spaces between the rock.
Natural Stone, such as flagstone, has a distinctive
appearance but is more difficult to install. In order
for the patio to be level, the depth of the base must
be adjusted to accommodate the varying thickness
of the stone. Fitting irregular shapes together is like
assembling a puzzle, so installation takes about twice as
long. Natural stone is extremely durable and can last
for centuries. Like concrete pavers, it’s easy to replace
broken or cracked stones, but the irregular surface is
not plowable, and can make shoveling difficult.
Best practice requires at least three, separately compacted 2-inch layers of aggregate, topped with one
inch of sand. (Too much sand will make the pavers
sink.) Some installers will just throw in 6 inches of
base all at once and compact it in a single step. This is
a common shortcut that inevitably results in settling
and instability. Within a year or two of installation, the
patio will start to heave and sag.
Stamped Concrete simulates the appearance of pavers with poured concrete that has been colored and
“stamped.” The initial cost varies, depending on
Interlocking concrete paving stones come
in an array of colors and patterns. When
each stone touches several others it makes
the patio strong and prevents shifting.
If properly installed, your paver or stone patio will last
at least 30 years! So it makes sense to think through
the design, choose the right materials, and invest in
proper installation. To speak with a landscape designer
about your project, call (651) 455-8238.
Printed on New Leaf Reincarnation Matte, manufactured with Green-e® certified renewable energy
and made with 100% recycled fiber, 50% post-consumer waste, and processed chlorine free.
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These “Holland” concrete pavers are stronger
than clay brick, and less likely to crumble.
Still, some people prefer clay for its color and
patina. Either way, it’s a classic, timeless look.
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1875 EAST 50TH STREET
WAT E R S C A P E S * G R E E N S C A P E S * H A R D S C A P E S * E S C A P E S
INVER GROVE HEIGHTS
OUTDOOR LIVING
M I N N E S O TA 5 5 0 7 7
IRRIGATION REMINDER
For irrigation maintenance and startup call: Amy Hanna,
(651) 203-3003. Or, schedule online at www.southviewdesign.com
Looks like old-world cobblestones,
but it’s not. Concrete pavers like
Mega-Bergerac from Belgard®
accurately reproduce the historic,
European feel of natural stone.
LANDSCAPE SUPPLIES
Join Southview Design
at the Twin Cities Pond
and Landscape Tour™ — a self-guided tour
showcasing the area’s most spectacular landscapes,
ponds, outdoor living rooms, and waterscapes.
July 21 & 22 North Metro Parade – 10 AM to 5 PM
July 28 & 29 South Metro Parade – 10 AM to 5 PM
Tickets: $20 per person, kids 12 and under, free.
Don’t miss the nightscaping portion of the tour both
Saturday evenings from 9:00 - 11:00 PM. Tickets are
good for all four days of the tour.
Purchase tickets at www.hedberglandscape.com, or at
any Hedberg Landscape Supplies or Guarantee Banks
(in Rainbow Foods). For more information, call
(763) 392-5937. All proceeds benefit:
Patio Pointers
The patio is one of the most important features of your
outdoor living area. So it’s important to plan carefully,
choose the right materials, and above all, build a compact and secure base before installing pavers, stone, or
concrete.
Before you build: plan
The design and placement of your patio is determined
by several factors: how you will use the space, traffic flow,
sun patterns, septic systems, and grading.
Tim Johnson has been designing landscapes for ten years
and has earned his specialized certification in patio construction from the Interlocking Concrete Paver Institute
(ICPI). “Planning is key. I usually start the design process by asking clients about how they entertain, especially
the size of the group. Not the once a year events, but the
typical get-togethers. We also talk about how they prepare and serve food, whether they need space for grilling, beverages, a fire pit, furnishings, lighting, and so
on,” says Tim. The primary goal is to create a space that
is comfortable, aesthetically pleasing, and functional.
In addition to how the patio will be used, it’s important
to consider the unique characteristics of the site. “You
would be surprised how many people plop their patio
right outside the back door, and then discover that at
dinner time, it’s uninhabitable because of the angle of
the sun, or that it’s awkward getting in and out of the
house,” he adds. In some cases, the best location for the
patio may be farther from the house, where the sun and
traffic patterns are optimal. Planting older trees, building an arbor for privacy and shade, and choosing easyto-move furniture can all help make patios and outdoor
areas habitable at all hours, throughout the season.
The right location really depends on the property.
Sometimes drainage and septic issues will affect where
you can (or can’t) put the patio. If the grade is steep,
multi-level patios, with different areas for eating, a fire
pit, and sometimes grilling, or an outdoor kitchen are