Why Landscaping Retaining Walls Benefit Your Yard

Just as there are a number of different ingredients that go into making the perfect cake, so too are there many different components to composing the perfectly landscaped yard.  The grass must be always green, luscious, and full of life; flowers must be blooming and perfectly placed; and plenty of gorgeous trees have to be scattered throughout your outdoor space.

While all of these aspects add up to create an ideal yard there is one more key ingredient many tend to ignore when it comes to crafting their landscaping vision; retaining walls. Retaining walls in your yard can be simultaneously practical and beautiful, both enhancing your space ascetically while adding to its functionality.

Here are a few of the many benefits landscaping retaining walls offer in your yard:

They are Low Maintenance

While landscaping your yard is a wonderful undertaking with big rewards, that doesn’t mean it can’t be stressful and time consuming to get to t

he finished product. That’s what makes retaining walls so wonderful. Once they are installed in your lawn (assuming they are installed by a qualified professional and built from quality materials), you don’t need to do much to them to maintain their functionality and appearance.

They are Good for your Wallet

Choosing to install a retaining wall will guarantee a large return on investment in the future, especially if you are thinking of selling your home down the line. A retaining wall changes the entire look of your yard and brings versatility to the design that other design elements simply can’t. Future buyers will see a retaining wall and be presented with endless possibilities on how they can personally use it. Long story short: a little more money now will make a big difference in your wallet for the future.

They are Good for the Environment

A retaining wall is an easy way to introduce eco-friendly materials into your space. It is more efficient and practical than a standard concrete wall, and water can naturally flow from its surfaces.

As any chef will tell you, if one ingredient is missing from their famous recipe, the whole dish is impacted. The same is true for any yard; many components are required to have a perfectly landscaped space, and if even one tiny detail is sacrificed, the quality of the entire space suffers.

Let your lawn stand out from the rest; contact the experts at Lafarge Fox River Stone,  we know quality and beauty of stone last a lifetime. Call us at 847-888-6133 or visit us in person at 1300 S. Route Business 31 in beautiful South Elgin to discuss your upcoming retaining wall installation.

Weed Tips for Hardscapes

The summer season is here, which means the dreaded weeds are finding their way to the surface. They like to show up in the most inconvenient places, making a beautiful patio an eyesore with a tough job to clean up. Weeds start growing in the cracks of patio pavers due to joints not properly filled with polymeric sand, or if the sand has weathered out. This allows the joint to fill with dirt and become conductive to growing weeds. Here are some helpful tips to take care of your hardscapes!

 

Use the Proper Tools

Weeds in hardscapes can be challenging to take care of, but with the proper tools, you can keep them controlled. We have found that the a string-trimmer, hand-pulling, a propel flame, or a natural, non-selective weed control product are some of the best ways to work with getting rid of weeds. Depending on the severity of the weeds in the area you’re working with will determine the process you’ll need to successfully get rid of them for good.

 

Invest in Polymeric Sand

If you want to be smart and efficient with your time and money, invest in polymeric sand to fill between the cracks of your patio pavers. Regular sand won’t do the trick - polymeric sand is a mix of sand and a polymeric bonding agent that hardens the sand once the bonding agents are activated by water. It’s in the best practices to replace polymeric sand every three to five years.

 

Spray and Powerwash

Spraying weeds and then power washing  is one of the most efficient ways to rid yourself of the pesky invaders. Existing weeds in a patio can be killed with a weed control product. Once they are dead, you can power wash the surface and into the joints to remove any dirt and old sand. Replacing with new polymeric sand will prohibit future weed growth.

 

At Lafarge Fox River Decorative Stone, we have a variety of polymeric sand options to get the job done. For more information on our inventory and services, you can visit our website, or give us a call today at (847)-888-6133. Let us help you choose the right product for your job!

 

Tips For Building & Maintaining Retaining Walls

In our industry, completing projects that will last is far more important than having a blueprint based solely on design. Retaining walls serve a purpose that can really benefit the space when it comes to keeping everything where it needs to be, and it is because of this that it’s crucial for a retaining wall to be built the right way. Here are some tips and tricks to keep in mind as you build and maintain your retaining wall.

Keep Your Wall Short & Stout.

As you build your retaining wall, the laws of physics come into play and unfortunately cannot be ignored. When designing your wall, it’s in best practices to keep your wall short, within the 3-4 foot height range. As your wall gets taller, your wall also becomes less sturdy. The retaining wall’s top priority is to keep soil back and in place, which can be compromised if the wall is not built properly. If you are looking to build a retaining wall higher than 5 feet, a building permit and more strategic, mathematical planning is required.

Plan Accordingly With Your Greenery.

Choosing the type of greenery, whether it be shrubs, plants, or trees, that you will have near your retaining wall is a very important choice to make. We have found that shrubs that have a shallow root system that are low-growing and spreading tend to work best by retaining walls. Roots are the number one enemy of retaining walls, so making sure that wide-spreading roots stay far away from your wall should always be a top priority when making plans to build.

Invest In The Proper Supplies To Make Your Wall Last.

No one wants to spend time, money, and effort into a project that will fall apart in few years time. One aspect of a retaining wall that will help keep it sturdy is creating a proper drainage system which allows the soil to stay at a weight that the wall can manage. Another aspect of building a retaining wall is making sure you’re investing in a quality of stone that looks good, gets the job done, and will continue to get the job done for years to come.

When it comes to retaining walls, trust a company like Lafarge Fox River Stone to provide you with the supplies you need to make your walls last. For a full list of resources we supply, you can visit our website or give us a call today at (847)-888-6133.

Pre-Season Prep for Landscape Contractors/Businesses

It’s that time of year again! Ah yes, springtime- right before the busy season for landscape contractors and businesses begins. April marks the months where business really picks up and companies have to be ready to get out and get the job done. To make sure you are ready for the grind and demands, check out these pre-season prep tips!

Make Sure Your Team Is Trained Efficiently & Ready For Work

It’s always better to be safe than sorry in most situations, and your team of employees is no exception. Whether you’re able to keep your best workers year round or hire seasonally, it is in best practices to make sure your team has the proper training well before the busy season starts. If you wait till you’re busy to hire more workers, the possibility of hiring hastily increases the chances of hiring someone who isn’t a good fit with your company. Not only does a well-trained team increase your efficiency on the job, but it also improves the safety aspect of the job.

Make Sure Your Equipment Is Upgraded & Ready To Be Used

In your off season is when you should be keeping up on the maintenance of all your equipment. One way to keep track of everything is to look at the service history of your machines and see what kind of work has to be done. Whether it’s a major overhaul or routine preventative maintenance, these kinds of problems can cause huge issues during your busy season. You need reliable equipment for your field of work, and it should be ready to go by the time you are.

Make Sure To Re-Evaluate The Work Process

During the pre-season prep is the perfect time to sit down, evaluate your business, and come up with new ways to improve. What processes work well for your company? What could save time and money? It’s important to always ask for feedback from your employees to get a diverse perspective on your business. Coming up with goals for the next year can also help you work smarter, not harder, which will help you save time, money, and create a positive work environment.

When business picks up, it’s important to be on your A game and have everything ready to give your customers the best service possible. Your pre-season prep doesn’t have to be a stressful experience- with the right planning and utilizing resources, you can feel confident going into your busy season. At Lafarge Fox River Stone, we partner with landscape contractors and businesses to give great results and even better products. For more information about our company and services, visit our website or call us at (847)-888-6133.

Stay Warm with a New Fireplace!

When temperatures drop, cozying up in front of a fireplace with your favorite book or a cup of hot cocoa can be the best way to beat the winter blues. For some, installing a new fireplace can provide a space for comfort and spending time with family - so what needs to be considered before the process begins?

Consider Your Preferences:

1. Heat: How important is it that your fireplace contributes to the heating of your home?
2. Ambiance & Aesthetic: Do you have a particular “look” or “feel” in mind?
3. Emissions: Each fireplace type carries its own standard emissions output and some be further adapted. Visit the “Burn Wise” segment of the EPA website for more details on different models.

Explore Your Options:

Indoor fireplace come in a variety of makes, models, and styles. They can also be further customized by your choice of stone. Visit our website to see the wide variety of fireplace components available  In addition to decorative stone, flue liners, heat stop mortar, and venting options are offered.

Wood-Burning:  There’s a certain allure to crackling wood and wood-burning fireplaces offer plenty of benefits. Firewood can be purchased locally and inexpensively. It’s carbon neutral, as carbon dioxide was taken in by the tree in growth. It’s more eco-friendly than emissions produced by fossil fuels.

Gas Logs:  Gas logs can be installed into fireplaces as part of a new installment or retrofitted into a wood-burning fireplace. Gas logs can be fueled by natural gas or liquid petroleum.  Installing a vent operates with a chimney flue and better simulates a wood-burning fire, but gas fireplaces without vents will provide more heat.

Stand-Alone Stoves: While lacking the traditional fireplace look, these self-contained units pack a more powerful heating punch.  There are a number of models available.  Gas stoves burn the same fuel as gas fireplaces.  Stoves running on compact pellets made from various organic materials (wood chips, sawdust, etc.).  Stand-alone stoves are also available in wood-burning models.  Stand-alone stoves still require venting and could incorporate an aesthetic stone base.

Built-in thermostats: These self-modulated fireplaces only turn on if the temperature drops to a certain level in your home, switching off automatically once the temperature reaches the desired level.

Outdoor Fireplace: Enjoy the ambiance of a crackling fire throughout the year. These stone hearths can be adapted to the decor and aesthetic of your deck, patio, or landscaping, 

creating an outdoor lounge and entertainment space.

Contact the experts at LaFarge Fox River Stone to help pick the fireplace that’s right for you!

How to Create a Beautiful Hardscape

Hardscaping your yard is a wonderful way to add personal touches to your property. It is also an excellent way to prevent erosion and incorporate steep slopes or hills into your landscape. Here are a few things to consider when planning your hardscape for an end result you and your family will enjoy for years to come.

• Create a plan – Before beginning any landscaping project, it is crucial to have a detailed plan.  Consider how the hardscape will impact drainage as well as any plans you might have for future expansion. Your initial plan should not inhibit future projects but should offer opportunities to expand upon a well thought out design. 
• Blend with other projects – If this hardscape is an addition to an existing feature, be sure that you are able to blend the two so that there is no disruption in the flow of the design. It is important to remember, however, that you do not need to match the materials from one design to the next, but rather aim to create a proper harmony between the spaces.
•  Do not fail to prepare – Preparing the base of your hardscape is crucial to the final outcome. Create a firm foundation in which to build your project.
• Create highlighted areas - Use unique plants, distinct structures or focal points such as fountains, fire features or garden ornaments. This allows you to highlight particular areas of your design.
• Consider the end user – Take some time to think about who will be using the space. A hardscape design for empty nesters might be significantly different than one for a young family.
•  Create unity among hard and softscapes – Consider visual planes when selecting plants. Think about the overhead view, the vertical view as well as the ground view. Use similar shapes and structure in your garden to add to the continuity of the view.
•  Think about the small details – In addition to the visual details, consider the scents of the plants in your landscape as well as the sounds of your hardscape design (water features, wind chimes, etc.).

When in doubt, contact the experts at Lafarge Fox River Stone to help you create the hardscape of your dreams. We have been serving both homeowners and businesses in the Elgin and surrounding Illinois area since 1934 with a wide range of decorative stones and landscaping products!