cover story
P
aver patios can be a relaxing space for clients to relax year round if
they're installed correctly.
To create a seamless patio, landscapers need to have certain
design, material and lighting techniques in their toolbox.
Here's how to give clients the perfect patio for their backyard.
Shapes & sizes
Like with any project, it's important to listen to the customer and know
what they want, says Joe Schaeffer, landscape designer for Hughes Land-
scaping (hugheslandscaping.com) in Poolesville, Maryland. "Do a design,
even if it's a crude scribble on a napkin," he says. "Have a good idea of
what you want to end up with, and build it in a timely manner."
Make sure the patio footing is solid, strong and sloped correctly,
Schaeffer says.
Another part of the planning process should include the layout. "Map
out the specifi c pieces you want to use if you can, or follow a suggested
pattern for pavers."
Landscapers should also determine what the space is going to be used
for, how many people it will need to facilitate, the lay of the land and
what type of products are going to be used.
For tighter areas, Schaeffer suggests angular shapes since the property
line and foundation-created restrictions are generally along straight lines.
If a client has a fi re pit, a perfect-circle patio seems to be more favor-
able. Schaeffer stays away from free-form patios.
"When I have no restrictions, it will be a mix of straight lines and subtle
or sweeping curves to create a more elegant look," he says.
Even if clients have a small space or budget, landscapers can create the
best patio for the area with the right planning. "The patio being too small
J U LY 2 014 To t a l L a n d s c a p e C a r e . c o m 21
Springfalls Nursery &
Landscaping used natural
steps with Belgard Mega
Arbel pavers for this
backyard patio project.
Bolder Concepts Landscape & Design used Unilock Brussels pavers and wall blocks with Unilock
Courtstone banding. They also used Courtstone to create an hearth area for the fi replace.
