Shorefront properties are a huge part of our business. We started with a consultation meeting to assess the customer’s needs, wishes, and the all-important details that this property would require. This project, like all shorefront properties, had to have DES (Department of Environmental Services) permitting. So, we called in our permitting experts. According to the rules, we were allowed to install a paver patio under the entire upper deck area, then we were allowed a 150 s.f. patio that would extend outside of the area underneath the deck. We were also allowed a walkway to the lake, which we connected to some steps that would go to the lake deck/dock as well as to the steps that would go into the water. There were some stones on the side yard slope that were unsatisfactory for walking on, so we were also able to do a paver walk with granite steps that would go from the upper driveway, down to the lake-side of the home. Permitting is a big part of the design, because we have to work within the allowed square footages of permeable and impermeable surfaces.
Just to the outside of the main patio area, there’s a well that is right in middle of everything. We were able to work with this by constructing a raised bed around it. You may not notice right away, but the shape of the raised bed reflects the shape of the upper window on the home.
The landscape plan shows that the entire property is planned. We did the lake-side of the home and one side-yard this year. The remainder of the planning was done at the same time so that the entire plan could be submitted for a permit, and the remainder of the landscaping can be done in the future without having to go through any permitting process again.
There was a shoreline rock wall that was falling apart, so we did repair to this wall, and constructed granite steps that went into the water.
Some of the hardscape products that we used are Granite steps, Techo Bloc ‘Blu 60’paversin a permeable application, Techo Bloc ‘BelAir’ retaining wall blocks, and ‘Anglia’ edgers. Permeable pavers were required for permitting, and we were excited to use a brand new product called “EZ Joint Fill”. This product goes in the joints of the pavers and looks like grout but allows water through with ease. This is a great new product, because the old method has very small stone used inthe joints which had a tendency to ‘migrate’around. This product is far superior.
Many finishing touches are included, such as
1. A granite compass that was incorporated into the paver area
2. Sod and plantings
3. A dry well to handle water from the downspouts
4. An irrigation system
We are grateful to these customers for their business, and look forward to working with them again in the future!