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Outdoor Fireplaces and Fire Pits – Loudoun & Fairfax, VA

backyard patio and fire pit fireplace loudoun va

Fall is a time abundant with warm and cozy associations. Do you see yourself bundled up in a sweater with a warm mug of something delicious, enjoying the cool and crisp air? Chances are this image includes an outdoor fire. Whether you imagine an outdoor fireplace or a fire pit, there are several factors to consider in the planning and, as in most things landscape, location is first on the list.

Place your fireplace or fire pit

How trafficked is the area in which you are planning to place your fireplace/pit? Should it be on a deck or patio adjacent to your home? An outdoor fireplace or fire pit will extend your home’s living space, making it an area you can enjoy almost year-round, and increase your home’s property value.

Thinking about how you like to entertain will help you pick the best placement for either a permanent structure or a portable one. For example, if you have a pool you might want to consider placing the fireplace or fire pit nearby; your friends and family will gravitate towards it after a dip. On the other hand, if you have smaller yard, you might want to put it closer to your house and let the surrounding landscape be a strong supporting player. Whatever you decide, size and scale is always important. Sunrise Landscape and Design has lots of ideas and we are happy to help you pick the best location for what you want.

Decide how you will use your fireplace / fire pit

It’s also important to really think about how you will use your fireplace / fire pit. An outdoor fireplace or fire pit will immediately become the focal point of your landscape. The warm glow of a fire is always inviting. Don’t forget to think about furniture placement around it, if you intend to create an area for lounging. If you are considering an outdoor fireplace that can be used for cooking, remember to leave enough space for a dining table and chairs. Space requirements could affect the placement of the structure. This might seem obvious, but you would be surprised to know how many people find themselves so excited by the idea of construction that they forget to think about the additional space that will be needed for the outdoor seating area.

Design your fireplace or fire pit

The design process is often the fun part. If you’re considering a fireplace, you can opt for a “built in” style, attaching it to the side of the home or another adjacent wall in the outdoor space. Stand-alone options are also available. Materials can range from brick, to different kinds of stones or marble. A fireplace is often a permanent structure with a firebox and a chimney. It can be the traditional rectangle, or it can be a square, round, or oval. The essential element is a fireproof firebox that is large enough to fit the wood in comfortably.

The exterior can be entirely designed up to your specifications, in harmony with the rest of your home, but the style of your outdoor space should harmonize with the rest of your landscape. For example, brick gives a timeless appeal and character, and there are brick veneers that are easy to work with. Stone and rocks, such as river rock and flagstone, can offer a stunning and organic look. Bear in mind, if your home is a brick colonial, you might not want to consider stucco. Though it’s a much more inexpensive material, stucco is a better complement to a Southwestern style home. Consistency in style is important from an aesthetic perspective as well as a practical one. The more harmonious all parts of your landscaping are, the more cohesive the look. A cohesive look translates into increased property value.

Contact our experts at Sunrise

Sunrise Landscape and Design has built many different fireplace/fire pit structures with a wide variety of materials. We will work with you to design the perfect fireplace/fire pit to fit in seamlessly with your landscape and provide the perfect space for entertaining and enjoying the cool fall evenings. Our experts have all of this in hand, so relax, you don’t have to put on your Fire Marshall hat when considering a fireplace or fire pit for your fall and winter enjoyment. We can do it for you. Contact Sunrise Landscape and Design to get started!

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Patio and Walkway Repairs – Fairfax County and Loudoun County, VA

Hardscape Herndon and Reston, VA

Winter weather can exacerbate issues with patios, walkways, and other hardscapes on your property. Take a look at how your Fairfax County or Loudoun County hardscapes are holding up this winter and see if you might need patio or walkway repairs to prepare for a nice spring outdoors.

Frozen weather is hard on patios and walkways and can cause issues that require repairs. Water, in the wrong place, can freeze and thaw in a cycle that creates movement, leading to problems with materials above and below the surface. This motion can cause settling of improperly installed base materials, leaving sunken pavers or concrete walkways separated from front landings. If water has any opportunity to infiltrate into the wrong place within your hardscape, it will.

Signs of trouble are typically easy to spot, but it’s a good idea to start looking for problem areas before the spring rains arrive. If you do uncover issues, a professional can assess the severity of the damage and implement patio and walkway repairs that can prolong the life of your hardscape. With the right repair solution, you’ll be able to enjoy your investment as soon as spring in Loudoun and Fairfax counties makes its debut.

Signs of Patio, Walkway, and Other Hardscape Issues

Walkway repair in Fairfax County and Loudoun County VA

Indications of patio, walkway, and hardscape problems are usually easy to see. Take a walk around your property and look for these warning signs that may require repair:

Retaining walls, firepits, and fireplaces:

Cracks
Crumbling
Loose bricks or pavers
Movement (e.g., bowing or leaning (unlevel), signs of separation)

Patios and walkways:

Areas that appear to be sinking
Pavers that are moving or shifting
Cracks in concrete or mortar joints, space developing between pavers
Pitting
Spalling (i.e., pieces are chipping off)
Pooled water
Loose step treads

Patio, Walkway, and Other Hardscape Repairs

While it may seem like you can repair your patio, walkway, or other hardscaping on your own, it’s best to have an expert fix any problems. Sometimes issues that seem minor are more significant and extensive than you think. A skilled professional will be able to diagnose the cause of the patio or walkway damage and suggest repairs that will prevent further issues down the road.

Paver issues:

Just like with concrete, shifting pavers is often a sign of the ground below moving – either due to settling or erosion. One misplaced paver may just need new joint sand. If there are dips or indications of sinking though, the whole area may need to be re-leveled with a focus on solving whatever is causing the earth to move.
Chipped, cracked, or pitted bricks should be replaced not only for safety, but to avoid more widespread issues in the future.

Wall cracks and movement:

Problems in any standing feature, like a retaining wall or fireplace, pose serious safety concerns and should be addressed immediately. Small issues may be able to be repaired or patched, while more extensive ones may require the hardscaping to be completely redone.

Concrete troubles:

Patio repair in Fairfax County and Loudoun County VA

Cracks must be sealed or patched using a special concrete-repair caulk. If left untreated, water will permeate the cracks and freeze, creating more pressure on the area and making the damage worse.
Pooling water is a sign of drainage issues. Your expert will suggest a drain to effectively channel water away from your home and its foundation.
Pitting and spalling needs to be addressed by resurfacing or patching.
Sinking is a sign of a major issue. The slab may need to be lifted so that the ground underneath can be re-leveled with sand or gravel and then tamped down. If the earth is eroding under the concrete due to water, then a drainage solution will also be needed. Because concrete tends to have issues with water damage, often removal and replacement with a more tolerable material is the best course of action.

Tips for Maintaining your Hardscape During the Winter

Refrain from using rock salt or ice-melting chemicals on any surfaces during the winter. Instead use sand or kitty litter.
Seal/re-point any cracks immediately.
Remove snow as quickly as possible. If water is able to seep into hardscaping and then refreeze, it can cause significant issues.
Make sure water is properly running away from your home and any hardscaping.

If you see any signs of damage to your hardscape this winter, contact Sunrise Landscape and Design. We will identify the root of the problem and take steps to repair your patio, walkway, or other hardscape properly.

Our knowledgeable team can work with any hardscape material, and we have experience solving complicated hardscaping and drainage issues in Fairfax County, Loudoun County, and across Northern Virginia. Don’t hesitate; a few repairs now will translate into an entire year of beautiful and functional outdoor living.

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Walkways and Patios – Great Falls and Leesburg, VA

Herndon Great Falls Leesburg backyard patio and walkway

A beautiful walkway and a “come stay a while” patio are a wonderful addition to your Great Falls or Leesburg home. They also increase your property value. Your walkway is the first impression people will have as they approach your home; it should harmonize with the surrounding landscape and serve as a snapshot of your home’s personality. A patio, on the other hand, is an extension of your living space where you can create an oasis within your property. Paying attention to the design of both of these elements can pay great long-term dividends.

Walkways

A beautiful, well-maintained front walk increases curb appeal immediately, adds value to your home, and makes coming home each day a more pleasant experience. Who couldn’t use THAT at the end of a long work day? Aside from being unsightly, cracked and damaged walkways present an inherent danger to you, your family, and anyone who approaches your front door. Beauty and safety need to be taken into account when deciding whether to repair or replace your Great Falls or Leesburg walkway. This is where consulting an expert is critical. A proper evaluation must be done to weigh the cost of repair versus the need to replace completely based on cracking, chipping, and potential soil erosion.

Replacing Your Walkway

If you decide replacing your walkway is the best option, it’s important to consider the types of materials available. Crushed stone and gravel are inexpensive and easy to install, though the gravel will scatter and need replenishing from time to time. Be sure to add solid edging to contain the stones. This option, though inexpensive, may require more upkeep than your lifestyle will allow. Also, gravel paths are very difficult to keep clear when it snows, which we get our fair share of in Great Falls, Leesburg, and across Northern Virginia.

Brick, flagstone, and pavers are the longest-lasting option and visually the most striking. A brick walkway can last over 100 years. However, because of their longevity and the level of craftsmanship required to lay and prep the site, they can be the most expensive. However, repair is fairly easy and economical since you can replace individual stones as needed.

You can also kick your walkway up a notch by adding landscape lighting. Lighting can make a huge impact on curb appeal in addition to providing safety and security. If you’re not able to use lights that require wiring, you can opt for solar fixtures instead.

Patios

A patio is an extension of your Great Falls or Leesburg living space so location is an important consideration. How much sun will your patio receive? How’s your view? Are there large trees nearby that could suffer root damage or damage the patio? Is there privacy? Does sound carry? If you’re planning to use your patio for outdoor entertaining and dining, you will want to have it close to the house, as it will increase the likelihood that you will use it.

The key is to design a patio that allows for easy flow between the indoors and outdoors. There are endless design options to explore. You can make the space feel like a room by adding a pergola, use an existing wall of your home as a partial enclosure, wiring it for electricity and gas, etc. In the planning stage, assisted by your landscape expert, you can play with options, deciding first and foremost, what size and scale will fit your needs and your budget.

All of these options can be explored with the help of a landscape professional at Sunrise Landscape and Design; we can help you plan what you see in your mind’s eye, with our eye towards what is the best suited for your existing landscape and fits within your budget. With Sunrise Landscape and Design, we can make your vision a reality!

Contact us to get started on planning your perfect Great Falls or Leesburg patio or walkway. See more information on our Northern Virginia patios, walkways, and other hardscape options on our Hardscapes and Structures page.

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Hardscaping Benefits – Ashburn and Leesburg, VA

Hardscape Ashburn and Leesburg, VA

With this period of cool mornings and warm afternoons, there’s still time to enjoy your Ashburn or Leesburg yard before we hunker down for the cold Northern Virginia winter ahead. A great way to continue to enjoy your yard, as well as create a beautiful space to enjoy your morning cup of joe, is to add hardscaping elements to your landscape.

What is hardscaping?

Hardscaping is adding permanent design elements to your landscaping and gardens such as paved walkways, a fire pit, patios, pools, water features, and retaining walls. You can use a variety of different materials to create hardscaping for your yard. The most common materials used in creating a beautiful and lasting hardscape depend on the area you live in. For Northern Virginia, including Ashburn and Leesburg, we recommend using:

Pavers

For use in driveways, patios, and walkways. Pavers are durable and can withstand the freeze/thaw cycles we go through in this region. There are many different colors and styles to allow for great and interesting designs.

Stone

Strong, natural, regal, and long-lasting stone such as flagstone and Carderock are recommended for longevity and for an elegant look.

Brick

Brick is great for walkways and patios and is used for a classic look.

Benefits of Adding Hardscaping

There are several reasons to add hardscape to your Ashburn or Leesburg yard. Creating a backyard oasis adds value to your home by correcting a landscaping issue or increasing outdoor space for entertaining friends and family. In addition, if you have uneven or sloping land throughout your property, adding hardscape such as a retaining wall can even out your yard as well as address any drainage issues you may have.

Whether you are looking to increase your outdoor living space, add a patio with an outdoor kitchen, or create a place for gathering around a fire pit to roast marshmallows, hardscaping is a great way to enjoy the crisp fall evenings with your loved ones.

Contact a Professional

Sunrise Landscape and Design is Northern Virginia’s premier landscaping company offering a full range of landscape and hardscape services. Whether you need landscape design, landscape lighting, walkways, and patios or lawn maintenance services such as lawn mowing, fall clean-up and leaf removal, mulching, core aeration and overseeding, we will work with you to make your landscape beautiful! Contact us for a personalized quote.

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Small Yard Design Tips – Leesburg and Ashburn, VA

Small yard design tips Ashburn and Leesburg, VA

Create an outdoor oasis in a small space with our small yard design tips.

Tiny homes and spaces are becoming more popular in a time when people are trading large for small in order to have more money for travel and other life experiences. While Sunrise provides lawn maintenance and design services for yards of all sizes, we recognize that many people in our area are living in retirement communities and communities where large yards are not the focus, but that doesn’t mean you can’t create an outdoor oasis even in a small space.

We asked our amazing landscape designer, Alex, to share a few tips with our followers on ways to maximize a small yard and we have shared them below.

Consider how you want to use your space.

Do you entertain? Do you want a quiet place to read? Do you enjoy gardening? Are you looking for more privacy? All of these questions can be used to help hone in on what your ideal outdoor space should look like, and how it should function. Once you have a clear vision for HOW you want to use your space, the next step is planning.
Make sure you do your homework.

Small yards tend to have more utility lines running through them, so ALWAYS make sure you have lines marked before starting work and consider challenges such as drainage; watch for downspouts, and your neighbors’ downspouts, so that you can accommodate for how that may impact your small yard design plans.
Plants are your friend.

Sometimes a fence is not an option, or not in the budget, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have some privacy. Evergreens such as Emerald Green or Degroot Arborvitaes give great, quick privacy screening without a huge permanent footprint. Consider mixing in an evergreen hedge using Laurels or Boxwoods and for a splash of color, sprinkle a flowering tree (such as the Crape Myrtle) into your small yard design plan.
Consider hiring a professional.

While designing an outdoor space can be enjoyable for some, it can often lead to feeling generally overwhelmed with the number of options that are out there, and the challenge of overload when looking at Pinterest or other design sites. A professional landscape designer can work with you to bring your vision to life by providing helpful drawings for HOA approval, while making suggestions that will maximize your space and budget. Landscaping services don’t have to break the bank and working with a professional can often save you money in the long run with helpful recommendations.

Ready to start creating an oasis in your small Ashburn or Leesburg yard? Contact us for a personalized quote and small yard design from our team of experts.

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Backyard Design – Northern VA

Backyard design outdoor living space Northern Virginia

Summer is coming fast to Northern Virginia and living part of your life outdoors is easy and expected. But have you thought about the fact that outdoor living can be just as welcoming in the fall? If you have visions of you and your family and friends gathered around the fire pit roasting marshmallows in October, now is the time to plan your backyard design and make it happen. Creating beautiful, yet functional outdoor living spaces is an outdoor living trend that can add value to your home and endless options to your evenings through all seasons.

Sunrise Landscape and Design has over 30 years of experience in landscape design, build, and maintenance in Northern Virginia. We work with you through the whole process – from inception to implementation. Before you start, here are some things to consider to make your backyard design a reality!

Purpose

Your yard should be a go-to destination spring, summer, and fall, so start by considering how you really use your yard. If you love to entertain, a fire pit may be a better choice than a fireplace because more people can sit around it. If entertaining on a much smaller scale is your go-to, a fireplace provides that cozy feel that encourages hours of lingering. Making space for an outdoor kitchen can be as simple as building in a small grill, or go all out and install countertops, a fully functional sink, a wet bar, and even a pizza oven.

Size

The size of the outdoor structure should be in direct proportion to the size of your yard. Your outdoor patio or deck can be a big investment, so you want to make sure you have the right size parameters in mind before you begin planning your backyard design.

Design

Your hardscape and landscape choices should match the design of your home. Look at your space objectively, what would you do to make your space better when the seasons change? Keeping the style of your home in mind will make it possible to better select materials that will work for the environment and blend seamlessly with your home.

Plants

While you should always let yourself be inspired by a vacation spot you love and by pictures you’ve seen in magazines, it’s important to choose things that work. You don’t want to fight with your plants all fall, attempting to make things grow that will just not; nothing will disillusion you faster to outdoor living. Choosing plants that will thrive and materials that will resist the Northern Virginia elements is key to maximizing your investment.

Lighting

Outdoor lighting not only highlights architectural and landscape features, it can also extend your living space long after the sun has set, providing additional hours of outdoor enjoyment. Read more about landscape lighting options and benefits on out Landscape Lighting page.

The prospect of crisp fall air has never seemed so appealing, right? Give us a call. Let’s sit down together, talk year-round outdoor living, and help you make your dreams for s’mores by the fireplace a reality. Contact us today to start planning your Northern Virginia backyard design project.

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Pond Design Tips – Herndon, VA

Pond water feature Herndon, VA

Integrating a pond into your Herndon, VA landscape is a large investment. Pond construction requires meticulous planning to ensure proper drainage and filtration. All elements of your pond, such as water lilies and other water plants, as well as goldfish and other small pond fish need to be taken into consideration for all elements of your pond to thrive. If done right, a beautifully designed pond can transform your landscape and create a peaceful retreat for all to enjoy. Below are some pond design tips from Sunrise Landscape and Design.

Choose the right location

Fish ponds need partial sunlight in order for the water plants that the fish feed on to grow. Avoid building your pond under trees. Tree debris can clutter a pond with leaves as well as change the chemical composition of the water which can affect the fish.

Decide on the size

The most important function of size is making sure the pump is strong enough to keep the pond water moving and filtering properly.

Decide on depth

Some features of your pond design may require a specific depth. Fish require a deeper pond to keep them safe from natural predators. The types of water plants will also determine depth. Some plants thrive in deeper water.

Identify garden runoff

Garden runoff from rain or lawn watering often contains fertilizer chemicals, lawn clippings, and other debris that may enter and mix with your pond. Closely inspect your landscape to ensure that garden runoff into the pond will not be an issue.

Check soil stability

Make sure your soil is stable enough to support a pond in your desired location. Once the pond is filled with water, it will become very heavy. If the soil is not well compacted, it could damage the pond.

Identify appropriate location for electrical outlet

The pond pump will require a GFCI protected electrical outlet. Make sure to locate your pond with easy accessibility to the outlet.

Enlist the help of Sunrise Landscape and Design

Let us design, build, and maintain your pond and transform your landscape to the water garden of your dreams! Contact us for more information – we’d be happy answer any questions about pond design and construction. You can also visit our Pools and Water Features page to learn more about our pond design and pond installation services in Herndon, VA and throughout Northern Virginia.

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Walkways and Patios – Herndon, VA

Herndon backyard patio and walkway

A beautiful walkway and a “come stay a while” patio are a wonderful addition to your Herndon home. They also increase your property value. Your walkway is the first impression people will have as they approach your home; it should harmonize with the surrounding landscape and serve as a snapshot of your home’s personality. A patio, on the other hand, is an extension of your living space where you can create an oasis within your property. Paying attention to the design of both of these elements can pay great long-term dividends.