Belgard Introduces: Urbana 60mm
Posted: June 25, 2010 Filed under: Pavers Leave a comment »A recent addition to Belgard’s Natural Collection, Urbana 60mm offers the look of clean-cut stone with a natural appearance. Urbana 60mm is available in a three-piece modular system created for maximum versatility. An optional large square is also available that adds a broader range of shapes and an even grander scale. This new product’s 60mm thickness makes it an ideal choice for patios, walkways and pool decks. The Urbana collection’s chiseled textures and contours combine with its random shapes and patterns to recall the look and feel of vintage cut stone.
“Urbana 60mm is a product that was literally made in response to direct feedback and requests from our customers,” says Belgard’s Vice President, Ken O’Neill. “Urbana has become increasingly popular in patio applications, and this 60mm product provides a more versatile solution. The look and ease of installation has not changed at all with the transition to 60mm.”
“In addition, creation of this product is another act of environmental stewardship on behalf of Belgard. A 60mm product reduces the amount of cement and aggregates needed to make the product and requires less energy to ship.”
Belgard’s Natural Collection features several paver styles, each crafted with uniquely contoured surfaces to create a truly organic look and feel. It’s the ambience of natural stone paired with the unmatched quality, consistency and durability homeowners have come to expect from America’s premier hardscapes manufacturer.
Year-round Ideas for Outdoor Fireplaces and Fire Pits
Posted: June 11, 2010 Filed under: Outdoor Living 2 Comments »As families across the country are embracing the “staycation”, it’s no secret that the popularity of outdoor living is on the rise! In fact, a recent survey conducted by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) revealed that “ninety-four percent of residential landscape architects rate outdoor living spaces as somewhat or very popular for 2010.” A common goal among homeowners building a new outdoor room and those adding to an existing room is maximizing the use of their outdoor living space.
One popular option is adding a fireplace or fire pit to an outdoor room. According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), “fireplaces rank among the top three features desired by new home buyers.” In many parts of the country, an outdoor fireplace or fire pit allows homeowners to extend their outdoor living season. Fire pits are especially suitable for those cooler evenings, as friends tend to gather around them. Fireplaces, on the other hand, create an ambiance more akin to a family room. In both cases, the mesmerizing effect of glowing embers can quickly become the focal point of any evening.
While the benefits to having an outdoor fireplace or fire pit are more obvious during the cooler months, we also wanted to share a few suggestions for ways to use these elements during warmer weather.
Storytelling by the “campfire”: Naturally, a fireplace serves as a great focal point or gathering place for your outdoor room. During the warmer months, invite the kids or neighbors out for a night of storytelling…campfire-style.
Old-fashioned cook out: More and more people are beginning to use their outdoor fire pits and fireplaces for cooking. While roasting marshmallows is a familiar past time to most, many people do not realize you can cook virtually anything with fire. Make S’mores with the kids or entertain the adults with a rotisserie-style cook out in front of your fireplace.
Beat the Bugs: In an article entitled Using a Fire Pit as a Garden’s Focal Point, the source offers this suggestion, “place boughs of rosemary or stalks of citronella near the fire, and let the natural insect-repellent keep the evening comfortable and bug-free.”
These are just a few ways to use your outdoor fireplace or fire pit year-round. If you have additional suggestions, we’d love to hear them! Please leave a comment and we’ll share your suggestion with the rest of our outdoor enthusiasts.
