Outdoor Flooring

Outdoor Flooring

 

Are you looking to put in a hard surface outdoors to host BBQ’s for your family and friends but aren’t sure what to choose? Here are two primary options for you: a Wooden Deck or a Brick Patio. Both options basically serve the same purpose but are installed and priced very differently, require different maintenance, and have a dramatically different lifespan.

A Pressure Treated (“PT”) Cedar or Composite Deck is said to last an average of 10-30 years in Vancouver, BC. Composite decks usually cost the most but also have the longest life span and the primarily made up of recycled materials. If the project is designed well & given careful forethought, a deck can snap together relatively quickly and require very limited excavation and ground prep.

Wooden Decks offer several benefits, including the sensory experience of the natural wood, and the ability to customize with unique features: setting them at a higher elevation, adding custom railings, or even building in a pergola. Deciding to install an elevated deck without stairs down to the yard is another option; this instantly creates a semi-private area without giving intruders easy access to your home. One thing to keep in mind is that wooden decks can rot quickly in the Lower Mainland if not regularly maintained. We typically get a lot of rain, shade, and falling debris throughout the year, which can create a lot of work. Decaying leaves and moss stuck in the deck board gaps are just some of the factors that contribute to the occurrence of deck rotting. Wooden decks also have some typical wear and tear patterns such as checking (cracking) and/or warping. The rough cost of getting a deck installed can range from $12-$35 per square foot, depending on material and the complexity of the project.





A viable alternative decking material option is Brick Pavers. Pavers are available in a wide variety of shapes, colours, and sizes and are designed to last between 25-50 years! When installing pavers, there’s a bit of ground prep involved:

1) Excavation to a depth of 8″ for removal

2) Installation of 4″ clear crushed, 3/4″ gravel

3) A layer of landscape filter cloth

4) 1.5″ of Sechelt sand, and finally

5) Installation of the brick pavers

This ground prep allows for great compaction. This enables the rain to weep through the pavers and be held sub-terra until it can be fully absorbed back into the water table. Due to the lifespan and water-table restoring design, brick-paving is a very “green” solution.

Pavers can also be used to create a driveway; this allows you to re-use the same material all around your property, rather than introducing more materials, colours and textures. Pavers are a better solution than concrete and asphalt because they do not crack or break. Additionally, if you ever need to install a pipe or cable below the pavers, you won’t have to compromise appearance with patches (like asphalt and concrete). Rather, you can simply pull any or all of the pavers up, complete your installation work, and put them right back down!

As for maintenance, Pavers should be pressure washed every 2-3 years and the stones should be sealed every 3-5 years on average. Pricing for a paver patio typically ranges from $7-$15 per square foot, again depending on material and complexity of the project.

In summary, Brick pavers are cheaper and last longer, while wooden decks can be installed more quickly and can offer very unique options. Regardless of which option you choose, it is always a good idea to put in a deck or patio because of the instant “quality of life” increase. That is, if you live anywhere between Abbotsford, Tsawwassen and Whistler you most likely have a wet & mucky backyard because it’s all built on clay and we get so much rain! Putting in a patio or wooden deck over that mud will allow you to claim back the useable space you already own!

 

Written by Rob Thibault

The Basics: What is Eco-Friendly & Eco-Chic?

Green, sustainable, eco-friendly, conservation. In the past these “green” terms were used to represent images of un-kept, chaotic landscapes with big compost bins. The well maintained properties that had big driveways and unique features were viewed as damaging to the environment and un-sustainable. Here at TBO’s we have found the “sweet spot” between the two extremes and now create eco-chic landscape designs which are eco-friendly and dazzling! We create the most eye-catching features with sustainable practices and products giving our clients the best of both worlds. This is how we can accommodate your lifestyle and the environment!

Green landscapes are a perfect combination of materials, methods and maintenance procedures. The ultimate sustainable garden is made up of all eco-friendly materials, installed using low-impact methods and is maintained in a fashion that conserves resources such as fuel and water. What qualifies eco-friendly supplies is that they are being reused, are sustainable, or have been created from recycled materials. Reuse of materials often saves money and is a great way to keep potential waste out of the landfill.

We can achieve a green garden by simply creating a clear and concise plan that outlines the correct materials for the upcoming project. Our green landscape construction methods are designed to conserve soil quality, existing root systems for plants, and protect any water sources nearby. When creating a design we do our best to limit dramatic changes from the existing landscape to minimize our environmental footprint.

Making a greener landscape comes down to simple choices like adding pavers instead of concrete or asphalt because the interlocking pavers allow rain water to percolate into the ground below helping to restore the local water table. Another simple example of going green is to add some fruit, herbs, or vegetables amongst your garden beds! Why not eat food grown on your property? Eco-chic landscaping has plenty to offer anyone with a yard and often times they actually become the showcase and conversation piece of the neighbourhood!

 

Written by Rob Thibault