Architectural Landscape Design Blog

Archive for the ‘Excavating Grading Landscapes’ Category

Excavating in Minneapolis is More Than Just Clearing the Land

Thursday, February 23rd, 2012

When you are in the building and landscaping business like we are, you learn very quickly that excavating the property and securing the foundation is one of the most important jobs there is.  Excavation is way more than just clearing a lot and pushing dirt around until it looks good. Proper excavating will build an underground world that will allow the world above ground to function to your expectation, without any floods, cracks, or failures.

A good excavator will dig trenches and install materials that will allow water to be managed properly, so that all this hard work is not washed away 10-20 years down the road. It will also provide keenly placed conduits that will allow electricity to be placed above ground, even in remote parts of your property. Most importantly, good excavating will render a solid foundation so that your building will not settle and start to come apart way before its time. For this reason alone, it is worth the time and energy it takes to find and use a great excavating company.

When debris and water are on a lot, they need special attention to make sure the final lot is truly ready to build on. These 2 things in particular have very dynamic properties in that water will drain away, and debris will decompose, leaving sink holes on the property that weren’t there before the work began. Only companies that work with the before, during and after stages of development will truly appreciate all hard the work that needs to go into this part of the development. At Architectural Landscape Design, we deal with all the stages involved in producing a perfectly sound structure. One of the advantages is the work you do with us will be all our responsibility, so you can be sure it will be done right; right from the start.

If you would like to learn more, give us a call at. 952-292-7717, we are here for you.

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Stone is the Best Outdoor Material for Minneapolis

Monday, August 15th, 2011

Using natural stone has numerous benefits as a building material, distinct from the sometimes less expensive, or more accommodating man-made materials. Unlike synthetic building materials, stone will not break down over time or decompose anytime soon. While it can be difficult to manage, once fit into place,  it will last for generations, and give the mark of distinction to everyone who visits.

While stone will cost a little more up front, but you will recover these costs with the zero-maintenance that comes along with it. Even if you decide to redesign the living space sometime later, you can still reuse these materials virtually forever.

Stone comes is countless colors and styles, everything from carved slate, to retaining wall boulders. Knowing what stone is available, and how to use it, is what make s a great landscape design company that will able to transform any home into a living paradise. Natural stone can be used in such applications as;

  1. Patios
  2. Driveways
  3. Sidewalks
  4. Retaining walls
  5. Hearths for an outside kitchen
  6. Or even just some timeless pillars, that support a living gazebo

In Minnesota, where we get the whole gamut of weather conditions, stone will stand up to it all. The freezing snow and ice will actually melt faster with stone, since stone retains a certain amount of heat that radiates over time. 6 inches of snow will melt faster on stone that it will on any other material, and stone won’t get beat up no matter how many times you drag your shovel across it. Dirt, oil, grease and salt have no effect, and a simple power wash once a year or so will make it look brand new. Some porous stones will look even better with a bi- or tri-annual epoxy coat rolled on, this is something any unskilled laborer can handle and is very low in cost.

When set properly, stone is also very stable. It will maintain that position without warping or fading in color for generations to come. It also installs well, becoming ready for use within 24 hours after being put into position.

So if you are anxious to beautify your yard before fall, give us a call at Architectural Landscape Design, and learn how easy and affordable natural stone can be in your landscape design. We have the perfect design waiting for you ~ 952-292-7717

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Minneapolis’ Retaining Wall Business Is Booming

Monday, July 18th, 2011

Retaining walls are a critical structure for many builders, and not just for the reasons you may first suspect. While they look great, and add layers to any lot, they can also serve to support the ground and prevent a building from shifting.

It is rare these days to find a building lot that has not been turned over several times with a bull dozer to accommodate underground wiring, sewer and water. Almost every piece of property needs to be cleared, and leveled to some degree. When this happens, the soil becomes lose, and will need to be tamped in order to provide a solid foundation for the new building.

Tamping is done in many ways, but it basically is a process that compacts dirt for a stonger more solid foundation.  There are ways to measure its density, but for all practical purposes, this is how to make the foundation secure.

Often times, this process will not address things like springs of water left underground, or debris that decomposes over time. When these 2 things disappear they leave air and pockets that tend to sink; this is why houses “settle”. If this settling ends up being a lot, say 3-5 years down the road, your home could easily start to literally move- as much as a few inches each year.

We have seen whole houses literally slide out of position rendering the home unsafe, and causing it to be rebuilt. So retaining walls will often serve a dual purpose; They will provide an added support to the foundation of your property, and they will dress up an otherwise barren and neglected part of your yard.

Either way, the homeowner is a winner;  you can kill 2 birds with one stone, no pun intended. So if you are considering a retaining wall or would like to know more about them, give us a call to find out what your options are… 952-292-7717

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Minneapolis Brick, Stone Walk Ways in Need of Repairs?

Thursday, May 12th, 2011

 With the harsh winters, and extreme summers Minnesota can experience, take a good look at your steps, patios, brick walk ways and ask yourself; is it time for some new pavers? Maybe a new stone walkway?

Each spring these hardscapes driveways and walks will experience a shift in position based on all the freezing and thawing that took place over the winter. Naturally, most walks and drives are subject to cracks and breaks during this process. Whether they are set in sand of concrete, it is a relatively simple thing to correct them, or even replace them altogether with a new set of stone pavers.

The first thing to do is remove the damaged surface, and have it hauled away. Some people like to reuse bricks if you have them, so if you are an ambitious sort, maybe you can find someone to come and pick them up and give you a few dollars for the privilege.

Once out, a good landscaper will level the ground with sand, and tamp the surface so it will be solid and level. Sand is often used to fill in the gaps because as pavers are being walked on, they will shift over time, and fine sand will work its way down in between the spaces and eventually create a very tight fit.

Early American settlers used this method while erecting their log cabins over 300 years ago, and many of them are still standing.  

While is sounds simple, replacing pavers is a skill that takes patience and experience. Designing a unique pattern that fits the space, and has the correct drainage, as well as pavers that will stay in position are just a few of the factors that need to be taken into consideration during the process. If you are not used to all the heavy lifting and bending, it is really best to hire a professional and get the job taken care of in a timely manner. When this time comes, and winter is finally behind us, remember to contact Architectural Landscape Design in Minneapolis. We are servicing our community 12 months a year, no matter what Mother Nature brings.  952-292-7717

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Drainage Problems? Proper Grading and Excavation Offers Solutions

Monday, April 18th, 2011

A significant trend over the last decade is for bigger houses to be built. Also, there is an increase in people adding additional square feet to their house. The results are bigger house footprints that due to less green space or landscape can cause drainage problems or issues. So proper drainage planning has become essential in order to alleviate potential problems for your property and your neighbors.

An effect that we are seeing more and more of bigger house space and less landscape space is that often times the neighbor’s drainage and your property’s drainage becomes interrelated. In some suburban areas that also means the houses are now closer together, maybe even ten feet off the property lot lines.

Alternative Landscape Design provides a variety of drainage services. Some of the options plan and install to deal with drainage include catch basins with underground piping, French Drains, Dry Creek Beds, and Retaining Walls.

We can help in the planning on new home structure, additions to homes, and solutions for existing draining issues or problems. A fast growing segment of the business is looking at what effects a neighbor’s new home; addition, retaining wall, or even a new landscaping is going to have on your property.

Our Minneapolis Landscape design team is trained and continues to receive additional education on the latest in drainage solutions. We actually do all of the planning, the actual excavation and the grading to provide the solution to your specific problem or need.

We offer specific solutions to the suburban lots with close lot lines. A Dry Creek Bed may be the solution to direct the water to flow through the property. Our trained team actually knows how to determine what the natural flow of the water is and to use that to solve the problem, by excavating to the proper depth, using the right stone and underground stone structures. Plus our landscape expertise can make an aesthetically pleasing garden around the dry creek bed that is actually a visible problem solving hardscape. Or we might suggest installing some underground piping; give us a call today on 952-292-7717 to schedule a free on site visit.

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