Curb Appeal
November 22, 2010
We've all heard the phrase 'curb appeal' and most property experts are very quick to point out that a well-landscaped garden, both front and back could make a vast difference to the value of a home (as well as it's aesthetic quality). But how many of us have applied it to our own homes? Recent years have seen huge increases in styles and finishes for patios, terraces, drives and pathways. From reproduction concrete paving through to natural slates and sandstone there is a style to suit every home from a modern town house to a country cottage. And decorative features such as circles, octagons, sleepers, edgings and walling can all help to create your perfect patio or terrace.
The phrases 'green' and environmentally friendly' can also easily be incorporated when considering new drives and patios. The Government recognises the problem of climate change and localised flooding and is encouraging both contractors and the public to look at different types of permeable paving. This is laid in a similar way to normal block paving but the sub-base materials are made up of different grades of washed stone and layers of membrane that filter the water and lets it either flow back into the earth or be stored in underground tanks and reused as grey water for garden or car washing. If you need to be more cost conscious, the use of gravels, aggregates and chippings have long been used as both an environmentally and economic way of surfacing a driveway or pathway. Rainwater is allowed to soak directly into the ground eliminating the need for drainage work therefore reducing costs. There are extensive ranges of colours and textures available.
A good contractor will give you the best advice on the most suitable style of paving etc for your project. Check out www.woodbankcontractors.com on our Who Can Help page.
And don't think that hard landscaping means no greenery or wildlife. You can still leave generous borders and grow plants up walls and fences and even grow some through gravel. Gaps under decking can provide small mammals places to hide and forage under and frogs and toads will love the dark and damp. Cracks and crevices in paving, rockeries or walling make excellent homes for insects and larger animals will come to eat them.
A couple of practical points to consider before embarking on your landscape project: - If you are having the whole garden revamped from top to bottom, give some thought to where you may want supplies of water for outside taps or electrical cables for lighting and sheds etc as these may need to be planned in first. You don't want to have to lift a beautiful patio or drive because you forgot about the heating in the greenhouse! And if you are thinking of doing both front and back of your property, leave the front until last. You don't want your lovely new driveway covered in sand, bricks or cement being delivered to the back garden!
Finally, as a certain famous someone always says...'enjoy your garden'!
To find a company who may assist you further, simply click on the free links located on the right hand side of the page.
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