Preparing for the Pittsburgh Winter

As we bid farewell to the summer, it’s time to start preparing for the cold months ahead. While many focus on landscape during the springtime, the wintertime presents many reasons to refocus on hardscaping. As we close the pools and bid bon voyage to the warmth, a hardscaping project by A&N Lawn Service Inc. is something you may want to consider.

Retaining Walls 
Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas have really seen its share of rain. And with all the rain, we are no strangers to flooded landscapes, sitting water and eroding hillsides. Damage from water freezing and thawing over the winter months can pose a serious safety hazard to your property. Land erosion can compromise any foundation, putting your home and family at risk. Consider adding a retaining wall to correct and stop any further erosion of your property.

Driveways
It’s not uncommon to have a rock or pebble driveway in Western PA. If you have one, you already know they are incredibly difficult to shovel during the winter. Consider creating a driveway with decorative pavers and cut down on the snow-shovel struggle!

Walkways
There are plenty of homes that don’t have an existing walkway providing a clear path for you and your guests to use. A home without a walkway creates a muddy yard during the snowy months. Not only is it messy, it can be an arduous task for your holiday guests to trample through the mud. Add flow and safety to your yard by adding a walkway with natural stone or brick pavers.

Patios and Firepits
Folks from the Pittsburgh region love outdoor entertaining. If you can stand the cold, most people will opt to congregate outdoors. After all, it’s football season and it’s in our blood! Adding a place for a firepit, or an even larger patio can really boost your entertainment space. Before winter gets here, consult one of our hardscaping experts on creating a firepit or patio for your home.

A&N Lawn Service Inc. is Pittsburgh’s Premier hardscape and landscape specialist. Call us for your Patio and Hardscaping needs. For a FREE QUOTE and information on our financing options, call 412-931-9230.

 

Right now, we’re enjoying beautiful summer days, but they won’t last forever. In just a few months, we’ll be seeing the first flakes of snow. If you’ve been waiting to add to or improve your property with professionally designed outdoor living areas, don’t wait any longer. You can enjoy your new outdoor spaces right away, and many of them are useful year-round.  

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Now that summer has arrived, homeowners are looking forward to warm days, enjoying their yard, sipping on a cool drink, and entertaining with friend and neighbors. If your yard is landscaped, you’ll want to keep it looking great during the summer.

Managing your Pittsburgh landscaping goes far beyond mowing the lawn once a week. Here are some tips that will help your landscaping look its best.

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No matter the season or the temperature outside, there are deer everywhere in western Pennsylvania. It’s not surprising – white-tailed deer are the state animal. Their population has grown steadily, and there are about 1.5 million deer in PA, with 30 deer per square mile (and in some people’s yards, it may seem like there are more than that.)

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If your dream is to have a carpet of lush, deep green grass this summer, there’s plenty of preparation that is required before you will be able to enjoy a picture-perfect lawn that complements both your home and your landscaping. Pre-summer lawn care in Pittsburgh includes several necessary steps that will not only bring out the beauty of your grass in the summer, but will also keep it green in the fall.

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Though it’s still cold, winter will be leaving us soon, so we’re looking forward to the traditional signs of spring: birds singing, leaves unfolding, and of course, flowers blooming.

You don’t have to wait until summer to enjoy some color in your yard. Plant some early spring flowers now. Some of the best choices for colorful perennials include:

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If you’ve been thinking of creating outdoor living space for your home that can be enjoyed throughout the season, now is the time to get started. Although it’s still winter, designing, planning, and building outdoor living space in Pittsburgh should be started as soon as possible so that you can enjoy the outdoors by summer.

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If your home is getting cramped because your kids are getting older and bigger, or you’ve realized that the space you have is just too small, consider adding outdoor living space. Many homeowners have learned that you can enhance your space with: Continue reading →

Prepare for your Spring Landscaping!

Every great yard begins with a plan. Although it’s still winter, this is the perfect time to begin thinking about your spring landscaping projects. Here’s what we recommend to get started with your landscaping design: Continue reading →

Five Fabulous Outdoor Hardscape Ideas for Fireplaces

Regardless of the warming trends we’ve enjoyed during the past few years, Pittsburgh-area weather is usually pretty cold from November through March. Many traditional outdoor areas can only be enjoyed in the late spring, summer, and early fall. Pools, patios, and decks are usually abandoned until the chill is out of the air. 

Outdoor Fireplaces Add Comfort in Every Season

How about an idea for an outdoor feature that you can use the entire year in Pittsburgh? Fireplaces are an outdoor addition that add beauty and value to your property, while allowing you and your family a welcome escape from the indoors. Add a couple of cozy blankets and some outdoor cooking gear, and you’ll look forward to being outside.

Just like indoor fireplaces, no two outdoor fireplaces are alike. Adding other hardscape features will make this area one-of-a-kind.  

·       Mantel. A mantel isn’t only for the indoors. You can also add a mantel to an outdoor fireplace. Use the same family of materials, or mix and match. Treated, reclaimed wood beams strike a rustic tone, traditional wood is classic, and cast stone and metal have a modern vibe.  Other options include limestone, granite, or concrete.

·       Hearth. If you want to sit close to the fire (great during the winter months, or after an evening dip in the pool), a hearth should be included in your fireplace design. Make sure that the hearth is not too high or narrow. Brick, flagstone, and concrete are common hearth coverings.

·       Retaining Wall. This feature can be used on the sides or behind your fireplace. It extends your hardscape, creates drama, and is the perfect place to put flowers and other greenery. Some retaining walls are designed around built-in grill tops, creating an outdoor kitchen to complement the fireplace.  

·       Seating. Some seating can be designed as a part of the hardscape. For instance, building a stone or concrete seating configuration as a sectional or circular setup ensures plenty of seating and ties the fireplace and patio together. Of course, you can also purchase outdoor furniture in any style if cushioned comfort is important.  

·       Lighting. No matter the time of year, you’ll need lighting for ambiance and safety. Hardscape lighting is designed to work with stone materials. Uplighting with wall lights and directional lights will showcase the fireplace and surrounding area properly.  

Hardscape Outdoor Fireplace Projects in Pittsburgh
Let A&N Lawn Service help you design an outdoor fireplace that can enjoyed year-round. We have multiple financing options available that allow you to fund these projects over time. Call A&N Lawn Service today to learn more.