A FOUNDATION FOR YOUR OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENT.
Whether you are improving the outside of a commercial space, creating an area for backyard entertaining, or building your own private retreat, Fine Earth Landscape, Inc. designs and installs custom patios that make any environment more inviting.
Stone Surfaces
Whether you are looking for the lasting durability of pavers, the unique beauty of flagstone, or the traditional utility of brick, our experts can discuss the benefits of each material, offer advice on proper installation, and see the process through to completion. Learn a little more about each surface type, and then contact our experts to discuss the right choice for your project:
Flagstone
Classic flagstone patios and walkways can be set in random rectangular patterns or more formal arrangements using predetermined sizes. Flagstone can be set in a concrete or a bluestone base, depending on the patio design.
Pavers
Pavers are replacing brick for patios, walkways, and driveways because of their durability and the variety of shapes, textures, and colors available. Installation should be done on a crushed stone/sand base. Because of this extensive base preparation, pavers are much less likely to shift than brick. Our designers can advise you on the various paver options available.
Brick
Brick can be laid on a concrete or a bluestone base in the same manner as flagstone. You can choose bricks from our suppliers, or you can trust the decision to us. Brick can be laid in a variety of patterns. Herringbone is the most expensive because of the cutting involved. Running bond is the most common. Basket weave is also popular. Our designers can show you examples of each.
SUPPORT FOR YOUR LANDSCAPE
Fine Earth Landscape, Inc. builds a range of structural retaining walls for both commercial and residential clients. Since large structured walls require special engineering and monitoring, we make sure to work with a professional structural engineer to ensure your wall is safe and secure.
TYPES OF WALLS WE BUILD:
STONE WALLS
More expensive than timber but less expensive than brick, stone is an excellent choice for a retaining wall. Semi-dry stone walls have some cement in the joints but are still porous enough to allow for drainage and freezing. For this reason, and the fact that the wall is slightly wider at the base, a much smaller footing is needed for a semi-dry wall. A stone wall can be capped with flagstone, or a natural cap can be constructed of the same wall stone. A solid stone wall is much more expensive than a semi-dry since each stone is encased entirely in cement, requiring a concrete footing and making no allowance for freezing.
KEYSTONE MODULAR BLOCK WALLS
Fine Earth Landscape is one of the largest and most successful installers of Keystone — one of the more attractive and cost effective wall materials available — in the greater Washington D.C. area. Popular for large structural walls, the Keystone Modular Block is a free-draining system with a gravel footer and interlocking pins. There is no hydrostatic pressure on the wall because of the gravel backfill that is incorporated during construction. We have successfully completed walls of this type up to 46′ in height, and have even been called in to rebuild walls that less experienced companies did not successfully complete.
DECORATIVE GARDEN WALLS
These small ornamental walls are excellent, attractive additions to almost any residence. Ask our designers for a brochure on the various Celtic wall options, and visit www.cstpavers.com, www.yorkbuilding.com, and www.eaglebayusa.com for more information.
PRESSURE TREATED TIMBERS
Substituted for railroad ties, these 6″ x 6″ or 6″ x 8″ pieces of lumber are ideal for most walls. An environmentally safe preservative keeps the wood strong.
Fine Earth Landscape uses only the most solid construction methods for timber walls:
- Steel rods 2 1/2″ long and 3/8′ spikes 12″ long anchor the timbers to the ground and each other
- “Dead-man” timbers extend back into the grade to protect the wall from failing
- A foundation of one timber below ground will prevent washout and sliding on all larger walls
- In case of severe draining problems, gravel is backfilled behind the wall, and weep holes are used
BRICK WALLS
Brick works best for short ornamental seat walls and retaining walls, since brick requires concrete block backing and concrete footing. Even with these expensive additions, they are not as structurally sound as stone, but for small areas brick is still a valid option.
Contact us to discuss your specific needs!