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!
Water features are a great way to beautify any garden. One of the best and most tranquil of landscaping accents are fountains and water falls. If you own a home, a stunning water feature is a great way to boost your home’s value and beautify your garden. If you own a commercial property, a fountain will improve the overall appearance of your business.
The type of fountain you choose can enhance, balance and completely change the look of your outdoor area. At Lafarge Fox River Decorative Stone, we will be holding an event on June 9th for contractors to learn more about the water fountains we supply.
This is an opportunity for Lafarge to showcase the installation and display of the simple water fountains that are available from our team. The premise of this event is to show contractors who do not currently offer ponds to their clients how the installation of these features can be an easy and profitable add-on sale to any existing landscaping job!
Attention contractors! Did you know gross profit margins for these types of jobs are typically 40-60%? Contractors normally already have the equipment on site necessary to complete a simple water feature. For example, if they are installing a patio, all that’s required is digging an extra hole, setting the feature, attaching a few pieces of plumbing and adding decorative rocks for aestheticdesign. With little installation and product costs, this is an overall profit for your business.
Our event on water features will be a great learning opportunity for contractors to strengthen the knowledge it takes to install everything from a simple water feature to more complex water systems. Are you an owner or contractor interested in learning more? Stop by Lafarge Fox River Stone on June 9th at 5pm or give us a call at 847-888-6133. We are conveniently located at 1300 S. Route Business 31 in South Elgin.
The weather is warming up and it’s time to start thinking about your outdoor space. Is your backyard lacking the perfect landscape design? Do you want an area for entertaining guests? A great way to transform your outdoor area is with stunning hardscapes and patio pavers that bring harmony from your home to your backyard. With summer right around the corner, now is the perfect time to start thinking about what patio pavers and design is right for your backyard.
Lafarge Fox River Decorative Stone offers one of the largest inventories of landscape and building stones in the Elgin area! Whether you want a traditional design or something modern, we can help you start, maintain and enjoy your outdoor investment for years to come. Take a look at some of the products that will enhance your outdoor space:
Concrete Pavers
Concrete Pavers, also known as paving stones, is one of the best options for outdoor flooring. Pavers provide a wide array of choices including shapes, sizes, textures, colors and even prices. From intricate patterns to classic stone, this is a great option to transform your outdoor patio.
Bricks
While bricks are typically used on the side of buildings, they are a great option for your outdoor area. Bricks come in a range of sizes, colors, finishes and can be arranged in just about any pattern! They are also extremely strong and durable against harsh weather and foot traffic.
Decorative Concrete Steps
Decorative Concrete steps are the perfect option for those with slopes and elevation changes in their landscape. With a range of options available, you can choose a dimensional style from the Rosetta Steps collection or something more contemporary like Unilock Ledgestone Steps.
Concrete and Stone Walls
Concrete walls in landscape add architectural depth to any backyard! Lafarge Fox River Decorative Stone has several varieties of concrete walls and decorative stone options available from Unilock, Belgard, Rosetta, Allan Block and more. You are sure to find an option that brings harmony to your home and outdoor area.
At Lafarge Fox River Decorative Stone, we offer a number of decorative stone, brick, and concrete paver options for your landscape! If you’re interested in viewing our large selection of patio pavers and wall options, stop into our expansive show room today. We are located just 5 miles north of downtown St. Charles in South Elgin!
