Special Section :
Home & Garden Renovation Guide
• Calm your yard with water features . Providing focal points in your landscaping work is a must , and one great way is to incorporate water features such as ponds and simple waterfalls . They both look appealing and add an attractive element to your yard — the calming sounds of moving water .
• Utilize retaining walls . If you are planning on protecting the fragile landscaping work around your home , it ’ s imperative to construct a strong retaining wall . Erosion-prone areas in your yard will benefit greatly by incorporating segmental retaining walls constructed from concrete masonry . Using concrete not only provides the best value for the investment , it also delivers superior design flexibility and aesthetic appeal to any landscape idea .
• When planting flowers , go with annuals . To have a continuous sense of color throughout your yard , plant annual flowers alongside your favorite perennials . Research and lay out creative flower combinations that make use of both kinds of flowers for lasting beauty .
• Think year-round . One of the biggest mistakes a homeowner can make is only providing one or two seasons ’ worth of eyecatching landscaping . Plan for having plentiful trees and shrubs during the springtime , fall foliage during autumn months , and good , visually interesting plant life in the winter , such as holly shrubs or bayberry bushes .
Decked Out
One of the most inexpensive ways to add living space to your home is the addition of an outdoor deck or patio . Having a great outdoor space is like adding an extra room to your house . It can be enjoyed by the whole family , or experienced in quiet solitude as a retreat to the Zen of outdoor living .
If you like to entertain , then an outdoor space is a must . Guests can spill out onto the patio , extending your home to allow more freedom for guests to mingle , both inside and out .
Though the words “ patio ” and “ deck ” are often used interchangeably , there is a difference . A patio is generally constructed of stone pavers , tile or a simple concrete foundation that sits squarely on the ground . Decks are usually made of wood , PVC ( also called vinyl ) or composite , which has wood content that has been encapsulated in a PVC wrap . Decks can either be ground level or elevated . When considering which option is best for you , you ’ ll want to look at the costs and also which one works well with the style of your home . The good news is that regardless of the option you choose , you ’ ll get a positive return on your investment — somewhere between 30 and 75 percent .
For a wood frame house , wooden , composite or PVC decks can match the trim of your existing home . Since wood can be painted , a wooden deck offers the most color options , however it will also require frequent repainting . Both PVC and composite decks are available in a wide range of earth tones to match your home ’ s style .
Experts say there are cost differences , but PVC and composite decks require less maintenance in the long run .
Wooden decks will run about $ 2 to $ 3 per square foot . These are attractive , but they do require more maintenance and will have to be resealed every few years to give them maximum life . Both PVC and composite decks will run an average of $ 8 to $ 9 per square foot . They will require power-washing for cleaning , with
Continued on next page >
PETERS TOWNSHIP ❘ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2021 51