hardscaping Archives | Integrity Landscape Services, LLC

April 21, 2018 by Integrity Landscape Services, LLC

Designing Your New Patio

Just like most other landscaping projects, installing a new patio is a very unique addition to your home. While selecting a multitude of factors – such as color, material, texture, features, size, and location – can be an extremely daunting task, creating the right patio for your home will provide a beautiful outdoor area for relaxation, barbecues with friends, and spending time with the family. By outlining the most significant qualities that they consider when designing an outdoor living area, our experienced engineers created this blog post to help you plan for the patio of your dreams!

Size
Size is the most important factor when installing a new patio. Making it too small may make the space feel cramped and unusable while, on the other hand, making the area too big may feel like a waste of space and money. To help with this challenge, we often ask our customers questions about how they will be using the space before deciding on an exact size. “Are you looking for a spot for a large dining table? Will you need space for a grill? How big is your outdoor furniture? Do you like to entertain outdoors? What types of features are you looking for in your patio?” The answers to these types of questions will help greatly in determining the exact size of the patio area.

Location
After you have decided the approximate size of your patio, it next makes sense to determine its location. We like to recommend to have the area close to an entry door so as to make the patio feel like an extension of the home. Also, with your new outdoor living space being close to the house, it makes bringing items in and out of the home much easier. This makes entertaining friends and families at barbecues and get-togethers a breeze!

Features
Determine the type of features you would like your patio have. Do you want to install seat walls, a fire pit, a pergola, or an outdoor kitchen? Once you have determined your desired features, the space for a patio should be able to accommodate them all with allowing for plenty of space in between.

Material
The last major decision in installing a brick patio is selecting the material. We usually like to recommend different brick type options based on the feedback from the customer, as well as their desired features and budget. By providing a few different options with accompanying pictures and color charts, the customer can really begin to envision their new patio. Additionally, we have created an outdoor display showcasing a wide variety of brick pavers, walls, and inlays located at our office at 2900 S. 166th Street, New Berlin. It is open 24/7 (even on weekends) and is well lit for night viewing, so you can feel free to stop by at your convenience.

If you are looking to install a new patio and would like to meet with one of our designers, please feel free to contact us or fill out a request a quote form. We would be happy to meet with you and provide a variety of options to turn your dream into a reality!

February 28, 2018 by Integrity Landscape Services, LLC

Retaining Walls

Although beautiful, can a “Double-Red Knock Out” Shrub Rose help fix the flooding in your basement? No. Your new swale may have stopped rain water from pooling in your yard, but can it “WOW” your in-laws? Our guess is probably not. While these aspects of landscaping and drainage maintenance are certainly important in preserving the atmosphere and structural integrity of your home, the installation of a retaining wall is one of the few landscaping services that can effectively combine aesthetic appeal with drainage-functionality.

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Landscape atmosphere
Retaining walls are installed when earth needs to be retained in a certain area. This design feature can break up a slope or hill into multiple flat sections that can be used to install a level footpath as well as a beautiful area for flowers and other perennials to overlook your outdoor living area. By carrying a variety of different blocks, our company ensures that you are provided with plenty of options to meet your budget, color, and texture preferences, assuring enjoyment and quality for years to come.

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When we excavate the earth to make room for a properly compacted base for your retaining wall, we are often presented with the perfect opportunity to use the excess dirt in a way that benefits your home through the aspect of drainage. By creating a swale behind your new wall, surface runoff can be effectively captured at the base of a sloping yard and moved away from your home (seen in the image below). This will ensure potentially damaging water does not reach your foundation.

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If you have any more questions regarding the versatility of retaining walls, feel free to call our office or email us at any time.

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June 16, 2017 by Integrity Landscape Services, LLC

Integrity Landscape Services: “Service, Results, Value”

Since our founding in 2007, Integrity Landscape Services has focused on performing top-of-the-line landscaping projects at an affordable price for all types of homeowners in Southeastern Wisconsin. Our experienced team knows that the key to customer happiness is exemplified in our motto: “Service. Results. Value.”

Service. To please our customers, we here at Integrity commit ourselves to providing premier customer service in many different ways. From our cheerful office staff, to our Project Managers who keep you informed throughout your project, our entire company is dedicated to making your experience with us rewarding and worry free.

Results. People love our landscaping. Because of our superior service and beautiful outdoor creations, our previous customers have nominated our company for numerous landscaping awards. Over the past ten years, Integrity Landscape Services has won a total of eighteen Angie’s List Super Service Awards, three Milwaukee A-List CityVoter awards, the MMAC/COSBE Milwaukee Future 50 award, and has been an A+ Accredited Business with the Better Business Bureau for the last nine years. We attribute this success to our professionalism, quality craftsmanship, and attention to detail that we incorporate into every single project.

Value. In contrast with many of our competitors, we often start and complete projects in as little as one day! By decreasing the time spent on individual projects, our company is able to pass savings onto the customer, supplying them with best-in-class results at a lower rate than other local landscaping companies. We pride ourselves on efficiency without sacrificing quality or attention to detail. This is achieved by having the right equipment, vehicles, tools, and an extremely experienced staff.

To start your landscaping project and see why Integrity Landscaping Services is considered the top landscape company in the Greater Milwaukee area, contact us today to consult with our professionals and receive a free quote!

August 4, 2016 by Integrity Landscape Services, LLC

Retaining Walls: What type is right for me?

Retaining walls can come in a variety of heights, sizes and styles, each of which is designed for a specific purpose or appearance. The list below show the most popular retaining walls and the specifications of when and/or how they should be used.

Wood Timber Retaining Wall:

A wood timber wall is often used when the homeowner needs to minimize the cost of the project. They are held together by either metal spikes or screws and are typically 6-8″ thick. These walls are not very strong and should not be installed to support a large amount of weight or such a tall wall (greater than 2′). The wood timbers that are used are chemically treated to reduce the rate of decomposition but, they still do rot and deteriorate over time. This type of wall should only be used when budget is the driving factor or if the wall is short in height.

Garden Wall:

Garden walls are made of small concrete retaining wall blocks that area typically (12″ long X 4″ high X 7″ deep). These walls have a similar strength as a wood timber wall, however, they do not have the risk of rotting or deterioration. A major benefit of a garden wall is that they can be curved and there are a variety of colors, styles and textures available to choose from.

Keystone Retaining Wall:

A Keystone retaining wall is the best choice when strength and longevity is needed. This type of wall is made up of modular concrete block units that come in two sizes: Compac Units and Standard Units. The Compac Units weigh 80 pounds each and are 12″ deep and the Standard Units weigh about 100 pounds and are 21″ deep. These units are connected with fiberglass pins, can hold significant weight and are built to last for the foreseeable future. Not many walls can beat the strength of a Keystone wall! Want to see how a Keystone Retaining Wall is built? Click here!

Lannon Wallstone Retaining Wall:

A Lannon Wallstone retaining wall is a great selection when looking for a natural stone look. The stone is typically cut into uniform heights for ease when installing while still having an all natural appearance. These walls have average strength and longevity but are a great choice when trying to complement a natural landscape.

Lannon Outcropping Stone Retaining Wall:

The Lannon Outcropping Stone retaining wall is yet another great natural stone option. It is made of similar looking stone as the Lannon Wallstone, but the Outcropping stones are significantly heavier and are larger in size. In addition, the Outcropping stone are not cut into uniform sizes and thickness, but instead are left completely natural. These walls are signifiacntly stronger than a Lannon Wallstone retaining wall and have a longer life expentancy.

Fieldstone Retaining Wall:

A Fieldstone retaining wall is another very popular choice for a natural retaining wall. Fieldstone boulders typically come in a range of colors, sizes and textures, so when the wall is complete, it makes for a striking appearance. These walls are comprised of all natural stone that are stacked from largest to smallest with a drainage system installed behind it to add additional strength. Fieldstone walls can be built to a wide range of sizes and heights depending upon the size of stone selected.

Unilock Olde Quarry Stone Retaining Wall:

When you are looking for an natural looking retaining wall but want the style of a modular retaining wall, then a Unilock Olde Quarry Retaining Wall is the best choice. These walls are comprised of three different sized wall units that are tumbled, distressed and are blend of colors. Often, a cap is added to the top of the wall for an additional decorative finishing detail. Due to the smaller size of the wall units, typically Unilock Olde Quarry Stone Retaining Walls are used for shorter retaining walls.

To view pictures of our completed retaining walls, click here.

Whatever your wall need might be, we are here to help! Our experts will be able to recommend the appropriate option that will accomplish your goals and meet your budget! Give us a call!

July 21, 2016 by Integrity Landscape Services, LLC

What is polymeric sand and how does it work?

Polymeric sand is a sand like material that contains a unique polymer that is placed in between the joints of brick pavers. When the material is activated with water, it creates a flexible “mortar-like” bond in between the pavers and acts as a joint stabilizer.

Why should I install Polymeric Sand on my patio or walkway?
1. It will decrease the amount of water that travels in between the pavers.
2. It allows for freeze/thaw without cracking the pavers.
3. Forms a tighter bond in between the pavers than traditional joint sand.
4. Decreases maintenance and increases longevity of a patio or walkway.
5. Reduces the chance of weeds growing through joints.

Can I install Polymeric Sand myself?
-Yes, you can install polymeric sand yourself. However, the process is very tedious, time-consuming and if installed incorrectly it can ruin your patio or walkway. The brick surface needs to be cleaned thoroughly before installation, then the Polymeric Sand is swept into each and every joint by hand. Once the sand is in the joints, each paver surface must be swept clean of the Polymeric Sand. If the brick pavers are not cleaned before the sand is activated, then a permanent haze can form on the pavers. Once cleaned, a quick coating of water is applied to the joints to activate the polymer within the sand. After initial activation, the surface should remain clear of furniture and foot traffic for 24 hours to allow the Polymeric Sand to form it’s initial bond.

Our team at Integrity Landscape Services are experienced and knowledgeable on the installation of Polymeric Sand and would be happy to provide a quote to install a new brick patio or walkway, with Polymeric Sand, at your home!

Request a Quote!