WHAT IF I DON’T WANT A POOL IN MY RENOVATION?

While a lot of focus is given to swimming pools during the Summer months, it is not imperative that you include a pool in your backyard renovation. So, what are the options if you want a beautiful outdoor space, but don’t want the hassle of a pool? Let’s look at some options…

PAVER PROJECTS

Pavers can take an ordinary project and turn it into an extraordinary project The look of pavers can bring an entire project together and give it the look and feel you’re searching for, and, with a product life of 30-50 years, you can be assured that it will last.

PATIOS

Patio Pavers can be used to improve the functionality and appeal of your outdoor patio and deck flooring in a variety of ways. Aside from creating a more solid and reliable flooring surface, you can have a much more visually appealing aesthetic that integrates with the current look of your home.

Patio Pavers are available in numerous materials that can be both highly economical and attractive.

WALKWAYS AND STAIRS

Walkways aren’t just a functional feature to keep people moving, they also add to a property’s curb appeal. The design of your walkways will become an integral part of the overall aesthetic. This is why a walkway’s design is a critical consideration. But aside from the design itself, it’s also vital to consider the type of walkway pavers to use for various outdoor areas and uses.

DRIVEWAYS

Driveway Pavers have become a popular choice for homeowners over the last decade. Pavers are more visually attractive than traditional driveways, such as concrete, asphalt, or gravel. Though the costs are higher upfront, the end result will be well worth the added expense.

Driveway Pavers are available in various materials and colors that can still be highly economical yet appealing. The most important factor is that they will have a much longer life than cheaper, traditional materials due to their strength and durability, especially under heavy vehicular loads.

WATER FEATURES

Just because you don’t want a pool doesn’t mean you can’t have the benefits of a water feature. Ponds, waterfalls, and other water features can provide you with a calm tranquility in your outdoor oasis.

PONDS AND WATERSCAPES

How nice would it be to be greeted at the end of a long day by the sound of a cascading waterscape with the beautiful appearance of multi-colored plants and active fish in your own yard? A waterscape is a perfect option for that piece of land that is either unsightly, has poor drainage, or is just a pain to mow.

No interest in a full pond? There are a variety of design options for the sound or appearance of a cascading waterscape. These designs range in size from 4′ x 6′ to no set limit.

PONDLESS WATERSCAPES

A pondless waterscape is a perfect solution for the homeowner who does not want a pond… just a waterfall and stream.

Perfect for public settings where child safety or the liabilities of a pond may be a concern, a pondless waterscape recirculates the water through a bio-filter then sends the water back down for continuous use.

OUTDOOR LIVING

Being outside does not always mean you have to “feel” like you’re outside.

PATIO ROOFS, PAVILIONS, AND PERGOLAS

Due to the inconsistent weather in Pittsburgh, outdoor living isn’t always the most convenient way to spend your time. Unless, of course, that area is covered.

Adding a patio roof is a great way of extending your outdoor living space away from the house itself and protecting you from the elements. Adding a fan or built-in heaters can extend the time you can spend outdoors by months.

Pavilions are a great idea for homeowners that want a covered space that is separate from the home. Pavilions provide an added dimension to the aesthetics of the backyard while creating a secondary space to get that “away from home” feel.

Pergolas are perfect for an area that simply needs a little extra shade and privacy.

OUTDOOR KITCHENS AND BARS

Adding an outdoor kitchen and bar area is a great way to entertain family and friends while staying in the comfort of your own home. Adding additional features such as a pizza oven, refrigerator, a kegerator, or fire feature will ensure that you will have everything you need to entertain.

FIREPLACES AND FIRE PITS

One of the main issues with living in Pittsburgh is the cold winter months. For that reason, adding a fireplace or fire pit to an outdoor project is almost a necessity. And, with just the touch of a button, you can go from chilled to warm and cozy any time of the year.

FOR THE KIDS

An outdoor renovation shouldn’t just be for adults.

PLAY AREAS

As any parent can tell you, bored kids can equal major headaches! Plus, a majority of renovated spaces include sharp edges, hot surfaces, and other areas that require constant supervision to ensure a kid’s safety. Having a separate play area for the kids is both important for their safety, but will allow them to burn off a lot of excess energy.

SPORT AREAS

Having a space for the kids to play is important, but they can also gain a competitive edge by having a place to work out and train for the sports they play. By installing a quality product such as Sport Court, you can ensure that the surface is multi-functional and safe.

STAYING ACTIVE

Sport areas don’t just have to be for the kids. Exercise is the one thing we need more of but are getting less of. Forget the gym, just go outside and get some work in.

MULTI-SPORT COURTS

Space is valuable. Use that space to its maximum potential by installing a multi-sport area that can be used for basketball, pickleball, volleyball, tennis, hockey, and many other uses.

THE FINAL TOUCHES

Once you have all of the main pieces in place, you’re not done. Even without a pool as the focal point, it is important to have the right accent pieces to bring the project together.

RETAINING / SITTING WALLS

Walls play a dual purpose in a backyard renovation. The main purpose is to be aesthetically pleasing and add additional space to sit and entertain. The more important role is to keep the ground in place. However, while the wall you see may not seem significant, sometimes those walls can go quite deep.

LANDSCAPING / BOULDERSCAPING

Have you ever seen a beautiful house, but thought to yourself that it looked a little plain? You couldn’t quite tell what was off about it, but it just didn’t seem “finished”.

That’s what landscaping and boulderscaping can do for a project. It is often not meant to stand out or to be the focal point of the project, but it is meant to accentuate the various elements of the project and create a cohesive look and feel. Landscaping and boulderscaping can also provide privacy and noise reduction, as well as provide natural separations between elements.

For that reason, it should not be left until the end of the project, rather, it should be worked into the design to ensure all elements work together.