Does an Outdoor Kitchen Increase New Jersey Home Values?

We all love outdoor grilling, but will the climate impact how often you can use an outdoor kitchen in New Jersey? Find out whether adding an outdoor kitchen to your New Jersey home will increase its value.

 

 

It’s 5 o’clock somewhere in New Jersey and that means it’s time to relax, have a cocktail and get ready for a home-cooked meal. Is everyone gathering around the kitchen again? Of course, but the difference today is we’re outside. You can cook outdoors and spend quality time with your guests or family at the same time. It certainly would be a nice luxury, but to get the most out of your investment, you’ll want some key questions answered to support your new destination hangout.

 

How Big Should an Outdoor Kitchen be?

Where does one begin? You can start analyzing the overall size of your house and backyard making sure it’s all proportionate. A small outdoor kitchen would generally include a grill, possibly a cooktop stove, a sink, and storage. Always build enough counter space to make cooking easier. Keep at least 36 inches of usable countertop and no less than 24 inches deep. Consider that many families have a strong value for backyards so leave enough space for kids and pets.

How Long Does it Take to Build an Outdoor Kitchen?

The time it takes to build an outdoor kitchen can be determined by many factors. You should always keep in mind a kitchen that complements the design and architecture of your home. Smart preparation with the right contractor can save you time and money helping with ideas and deciding what you really need and what you can omit. The summer months can be hectic for contractors so looking at the slower periods such as fall or winter can speed things up as well.

What is the Standard Height of an Outdoor bar?

A bar-height table generally measures in the 40 to 42-inch height range. A counter height table runs about 34 to 36 inches tall.

 

How far Should a Built-in Grill be from the House?

While the consensus is at least 3 feet away, the Product Safety Commission states at least 10 feet away from the house.

Do I need a Permit to Build an Outdoor Kitchen?

Although you might not need a building permit for an outdoor kitchen in New Jersey, you will probably need permits for any electrical or plumbing work. Also, in most cases, a drop-in gas grill must be framed by non-flammable material. You should check with your local township for their permit specifics.

For more on building codes:

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What Outdoor Feature Adds the Most Value to a New Jersey Home?

Similar to the features that bring a return on investment to your indoor kitchen, the same can apply to your outdoor kitchen. Since outdoor cooking relies heavily on grilling, it’s a given to have it be top of the line.

On the functional side, water supply, a direct gas line, and refrigeration go a long way for resale value. This can be a huge advantage over other homes in the neighborhood for resale. If your home is up for sale competing with similar homes for potential buyers, the beauty and luxury of an outdoor kitchen could sway them towards your home.

Absolute Outdoor Kitchens buyers guide show saw that homes in the Southwest and Southeast can see the highest return on investment from outdoor grills. It can still be in the 50 – 70% range in the Northeast. There are many grillers out there, I being one of them, that will not let the cold stop them from throwing some burgers on the grill any given day.

Consider resale value during the planning stages. For instance, you might want a wood-burning pizza oven, but it may go undervalued if the next buyer does not get used out of it. For more lavish options, granite countertops, sinks, built-in grills, and seating will help you stand out. Consult with the professionals during the planning stages.

How can Borst Landscape Help with your Outdoor Landscaping and Hardscape Needs?

Borst Landscape & Design is the ultimate company to get you started. Their commitment and dedication to unique work make them stand out from the competition.

For more information, contact their skilled team today. They’ll be happy to answer any questions or provide you with a quote today.

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What Is the Difference Between Lawn Care and Lawn Maintenance?

As a Bergen County, NJ homeowner, your lawn and landscape are an extension of your home. It’s a welcoming place to entertain, relax, and have fun. Regular lawn care and lawn maintenance keeps your lawn and landscape beautiful and inviting. A lot of time and effort is required to maintain your lawn year-round. As a homeowner, what type of lawn care and lawn maintenance do you need for a healthy lawn? And, what, if any landscape services are required?

What Is Considered Lawn Maintenance?

Lawn maintenance entails keeping your lawn and outdoor property clean and manicured year round, whether it’s preparing your lawn for spring by clearing winter debris, mowing lawns throughout the summer, or yard clean up before winter. A regular lawn maintenance service in Bergen County, NJ includes:

• Weekly lawn mowing
• Regular watering and weeding
• Border edging for driveways, walkways, and patio areas
• Cleaning of driveways, walkways, and patio areas
• Spring yard cleanup to remove dead winter growth and debris
• Summer Pruning of Trees and Shrubs
• Fall yard cleanup to remove leaves and debris and prepare for winter

Your lawn will also require additional attention to remain lush and healthy. How does lawn maintenance differ from lawn care and landscaping services?

What Is the Difference Between Lawn Care and Landscaping?

Lawn care generally refers to maintaining the health, color and vitality of existing lawns through the years. Some services that fall under lawn care are pest control, weed control, fertilization, soil testing, aeration, seeding, deep root feeding for trees and shrubs  and irrigation. Landscaping services are much more complex, transforming outdoor spaces through design, construction, and planting. Man-made features, along with plants, create peaceful, outdoor environments. After properties are prepared for landscaping, hardscape elements are installed. These include decks, walkways, lighting, patios, stone walls, fire pits, waterfalls, pool areas, and more. Plants provide the finishing touches to landscape construction projects and garden designs. They may include privacy hedges, foundational plantings, perennial gardens, trees, shrubs, and more. As a homeowner, you will need regular lawn care and lawn maintenance  in addition to landscaping services.

Does Landscaping Include Mowing?

Because landscaping often deals with creating or transforming new outdoor spaces, a Bergen County, NJ homeowner may wonder if lawn mowing is part of landscaping. The short answer is yes. As part of a larger landscaping project, mowing may be included in the overall lawn care and maintenance of a property. This is particularly important with uniquely designed areas or with commercial properties that must be kept in pristine condition.

What Does Lawn Care Include?

Maintaining a healthy lawn in Bergen County, NJ requires ongoing care and a huge commitment. Many landscape companies offer lawn care services in addition to regular professional lawn maintenance and landscaping services. Borst Landscape’s professional lawn care services include:

• Pest Control
• Fertilizer Application 
• Pre-emergent crabgrass control
• Broadleaf & creeping weed control 
• Grub control and chinch bug control 
• Natural aeration & thatch control 
• Root stimulants & developers 
• Soil testing 
• Mulching
• Organic lawn care
• Irrigation systems

What Do You Need for Lawn Care?

Whether you take care of your lawn, or hire a professional, there are several tools that you should have on hand for regular lawn care. Because a professional lawn care company generally works on a set schedule, you never know when you may need to do some emergency lawn care work. Keep the following items handy:

• Lawn mower for cutting the grass.
• Lawn trimmer for cleaning up edges.
• Leaf rake for fall cleanup.
• Soil rake to remove unwanted material and prepare for seeding.
• Spreader to add fertilizer to your lawn.
• Hose with a spray nozzle for watering garden beds and flowers.

Additionally, if you plan to maintain shrubs and trees, you should also consider:

• Hand pruner to shape shrubs and flowers and remove branches.
• Hedge shear to shape and clean up hedges. 

Borst Landscape Provides Lawn Care and Lawn Maintenance Services in Bergen County, Nj

Borst Landscape, in Bergen County, NJ, can provide consistent quality lawn care, lawn maintenance, and landscaping services throughout the year. By hiring a professional, you can expect regular, reliable lawn care and lawn maintenance services without exerting time and effort on your own. A knowledgeable, skilled crew will be assigned to your home on a weekly basis allowing you and your family the freedom to simply enjoy the benefits of your outdoor living space. Contact Borst Landscape today about the benefits of lawn care and maintenance services for your home.

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Heating Options For A Small Home

While every Australian is aware of our hot summers, how we keep our homes warm during the cooler months is often an afterthought until winter hits. While larger homes usually have all the heating and cooling requirements sorted, for smaller houses getting an effective and affordable heating solution may be a little tough.

On the plus side having a small house puts you at an advantage when it comes to heating options. That’s because there are several options available these days. While larger residences must stick to the conventional systems of air conditioning, smaller houses can explore the latest technology at lower prices.

Here are some options that you can consider for heating up your cosy little home during the winters.

Design

The design of your house itself plays a very important role in its heating or cooling capacity. The building materials used, the orientation of the house, the ventilation, everything contributes in some way to the heating and cooling effects.

Materials that absorb and store heat for longer periods, that is, materials with high thermal mass, are better for homes that require heating. Such materials include concrete bricks or tiles, which are of high density and can store passive heat effectively. These materials have lower conductivity and do not allow passive heating to escape soon. Not affected by extreme weather conditions, steel frames are a popular choice but require additional insulation. 

Reverse cycle systems

Reverse cycle air conditioning systems are equally effective in cooling and heating small spaces. A reverse cycle system absorbs heat from the outside air and releases the heat into your home. This heat is absorbed and stored by a refrigerant that passes through an external coil exposed to the outside air. A compressor sends the heated refrigerant inside, and a fan allows the heat to be distributed inside.

These systems are good for moderately cold places, but in extremely cold climates, such systems may not be able to derive enough heat to keep you warm.

Ceiling fans

Ceiling fans are certainly not the first thing that would come to your mind as a heating solution. But these can also be used quite effectively to heat up your little house. Reversing the effect of the ceiling fan can be a great way to heat a space. The idea is to push back down the heated air that has risen up. This can be very effecting in maintaining a constant flow of warm air in the room for the comfort of everyone.

In fact, using ceiling fans with any of the other heating systems can bring down electricity consumption by nearly 10%.

Electric Heaters

Electric heaters are one of the most popular and widely used heating options for small houses across Australia. What makes these heaters so popular is their ease of use and the safety they offer.

Electric heaters also produce no fumes and do not add to the pollution outside. You plug the heater into one of your home’s electrical outlets, and it heats up the room within minutes.

There are a wide variety of electric heaters available in the market, from heaters that radiate heat through a resistance coil to blowers that blow air over a heating element. There are even heaters that look exactly like a fireplace but instead use heating elements.

If you can afford to pay the electricity bills and the charges are not too high in your area, this is the best and cheapest option available. There is very little risk of fire involved as there is no open flame, and it is completely eco-friendly. You have to be careful with using an electric heater though as any contact with water can be extremely dangerous. Also, you must ensure that it is placed away from the reach of children, particularly the ones where the heating elements are exposed.

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The Doors Recommended By Australia’s Leading Kit Home Supplier (Kitome)

Building a new home can be exciting, but when it comes to making big decisions (like choosing doors, for example) you’ll notice that there are a wide range of options available on the market. With doors, you have to consider the size, colour, frame, glazing, and style for both the internal and external doors of your home, which can be a little overwhelming. So to make it easier for you to choose the right doors for your home, here are Kitome’s top nine door recommendations (all offered by Hume Doors & Timber).

Entrance Doors 

The Hume Doors entrance range has a visual design that is not only clean and strong, but also beautiful to look at. The solid entrance doors are the best in the range as they provide strength and stability with their medium density and moisture resistant fibreboard core.

1. Vaucluse

The Vaucluse entrance door is made of high-quality materials and comes in a variety of styles to match any architectural frontage. It has detailed carved patterns on the external side of the door, whereas the internal side is smooth. If you want a simple and sleek design, the Vaucluse is definitely for you.

We use the XV14 Vaucluse as a standard inclusion in our Gable Series kit homes.

2. Vaucluse Premier

The Vaucluse Premier entrance door has deep carved patterns on both sides, along with attractive moulding on the external side, which is great for if you want to make a big statement. There’s also a wide range of glass options available to match any décor.

We use the XVP12 and XVP13 Vaucluse Premier as standard inclusions in our Freedom Series and Prestige Series kit homes.

3. Newington

The Newington entrance door is popular due to its everlasting appeal and unmatched adaptability. There are a number of dazzling designs, glass options, and matching sidelights to choose from to create the exact look you want. If you want a versatile door designed to impress, look no further than the Newington.

We use the XN5 and XN6 Newington as standard inclusions in our Freedom Series kit homes.

Hollow core internal doors

The Hume Doors internal range is visually impactful and designed to inspire. The hollow core internal doors are the best in the range with high-density honeycomb core and pre-primed faces perfect for paint finish. 

4. Honeycomb Core Flush and Moulded Panel Smooth

The Honeycomb Core Flush and Moulded Panel Smooth are traditional flush panel doors that you can use to support the theme you want without affecting your home’s visual appeal. There are bi-fold and multifold options available for the Honeycomb Core Flush, as well as made-to-order options in various sizes. As for the Moulded Panel Smooth, pre-cast production ensures every door is consistent and you can choose between non-solid and solid construction.

We use smooth flush panel doors as standard inclusions in our Gable Series and Freedom Series kit homes for an everlasting and refreshing look.

5. Sorrento

The Sorrento internal door will bring a fresh contemporary feel to your home. On both sides are beautifully carved rout designs that are produced on a premium primed door face. It has a non-solid construction with strong six millimetre skins for impact resistance.

We don’t offer Sorrento doors as standard inclusions in our kit homes, however they can be made to order.

6. Strata

The Strata internal door is unique and modern with eye-catching vertical and horizontal textured patterns. You can also add a metallic strip to the door to complement your own personality. It has a non-solid construction and is primed ready for painting.

We don’t offer Strata doors as standard inclusions in our kit homes but they can be made to order.

Door systems

The Hume door system range has technologically advanced solutions for both internal and external doors.

While we don’t offer door systems as standard inclusions in our kit homes, we can create them from scratch if you wish to install one.

7. Frontier Barn Door Sliding System

The Frontier Barn Door Sliding System has wide sliding doors and has become a popular interior decor piece. It’s the perfect room divider for the bedroom, wardrobe, or home office. You can choose between a modern and traditional design that adds real value to your home. What’s more, there are shaker style and inexpensive options across two barn door ranges, as well as plenty of great designs to help you achieve that sought-after authentic barn door look.

8. Pivot Door System

The Pivot Door System is ideal for large entrance doors and if you want to make a bold statement to boost your home’s street appeal. The factory assembled frame incorporates a heavy-duty pivot with quality fittings that allow you to adjust the door during installation. It also comes with perimeter seals and a self-closing mechanism.

9. Multifold Interior

The Multifold Interior Folding System is smooth and quiet. It also saves space as it can turn two rooms into one big room. Moreover, there’s a wide range of styles and sizes to pick from.

10. Alfresco Folding System

The Alfresco Folding System is fully assembled and weather sealed. Use it to double your living space by bringing the outside in and enjoy the relaxing style of true alfresco living.

Choosing the right doors for your kit home

With only the best doors to choose from, you should now be able to pick the right doors for your kit home. Whether you’re building a family home or a holiday home, it’s important that the doors you choose suit both your living needs and the style of your home.

Visit your closest Hume Door distributor to view our range in person.

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Why Your Coastal Home Needs The Right Cladding

Cladding isn’t used solely for decoration purposes. It also provides thermal insulation and weather resistance for your home. When choosing the right cladding for your coastal home, you not only need to think about weather resistance to water, heat and wind. It is also important to consider erosion from the salt in seawater. 

The salt in seawater dissolves, causing the sodium and chloride ions to dissociate. These dissociated ions can move freely through the solution. This allows seawater to carry an electrical charge. Corrosive chemical reactions can take place when materials come into contact with seawater. This is why choosing the right cladding is important for your coastal home.

What cladding is suitable for a coastal home?

Metal

When it comes to metal cladding, the two most common materials are aluminium and steel. Galvanised steel is usually coated with a zinc or copper-nickel alloy to prevent corrosion. Although highly-reactive, aluminium forms an inert, protective layer with oxygen for corrosion resistance. Steel is always preferable over aluminium due to its durability. 

Metal cladding is an easy way to add a pop of colour to the exterior of your home. It is considered a cost-effective option for cladding. It is also quick to install and requires little ongoing maintenance.

Brick

Brick gives a classic, traditional feel to your home. It’s another great low-maintenance option. Although the build is time-consuming and costly, it will be easy to maintain for years to come. 

Brick is durable, thermally-insulating, fire-resistant and is relatively resistant to moisture absorption. Although all properties are advantageous, the latter is an important feature for cladding in a coastal home. Humid air in coastal conditions can wear away moisture-laden claddings. Choosing a type of cladding with a low rate of moisture absorption should be on the top of your checklist. 

Consider adding an outdoor alcove into your outdoor space to further shade from the harsh weather conditions. If you’re low on space consider choosing outdoor furniture that you can pack away easily during the colder months.

Brick veneer is a cheaper and less time-consuming option. However, it is quite susceptible to moisture retention. For this reason, always choose brick over brick veneer for your home by the sea.

Timber

Timber has been a popular choice for many years. This type of cladding has an extensive range of styles so you’ll be sure to find the look you’re after. Although labour can be lengthy due to wall framing, this makes it thermally-efficient. 

The biggest downside of timber is its high maintenance. Timber will need to be replaced sooner than other types of cladding. This is due to its moisture-absorbency and lack of extreme durability. For these reasons, timber may not be the best long-lasting choice of cladding for coastal homes.

Vinyl/plastic weatherboard

Man-made materials require very low maintenance. They’re also lightweight, durable and can be made in a wide range of colours.

Like timber, wall framing is required so the construction process may be long in duration. Styrofoam backs the cladding to improve insulation due to thermal inefficiency. Ensure the cladding is joined using regular expansion joints as the material may expand and contract with the weather.

Saltwater has little effect on these materials. However, it is not completely resistant to the sun’s rays. Over time, the colour may fade. 

Concrete

Modern finishes aren’t complete without concrete cladding. The possibilities are endless. Create your desired texture, pattern and polish. Labour for concrete cladding will be a higher upfront cost compared to other materials. However, maintenance for concrete cladding is low. Concrete is also a thermally-efficient option.

Over long periods, saltwater can corrode concrete. This can take many years, but over time, your cladding will eventually become weak and unstable.

Ultimately, each choice for coastal home cladding has its advantages and disadvantages. Saltwater is a corrosive substance, so ensure materials are properly treated. Whichever material you choose, be sure to wash your cladding regularly to prevent salt build-up.

 

Author’s bio:

Maia Fletcher is a New Zealand based freelance writer who has written articles for various blogs and local sites such as Tairawhiti Gisborne. After long hours spent in front of her computer, she always looks forward to ending her day admiring the picturesque view of the sunset from her window.

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Best Landscape Design Blogs in 2016

A beautiful, well-maintained landscape is every homeowner’s dream, but achieving it requires time, effort and commitment, as well as landscape knowledge and practical skills. If you want to learn more about landscaping and pick up helpful tips on plant care and maintenance, a landscape design blog provides a great way to get started.

A landscape design blog can educate you on various landscaping topics from basic plant knowledge to building a lovely gazebo in your back yard. Many blogs also provide beautiful photographs of gardens and landscapes that will inspire you with new ideas. Whether you’re a beginning or experienced gardener, landscape blogs offer helpful landscaping advice and design tips for your home. Take a look at 25 great landscaping blogs that you’ll enjoy.

1. Ledge and Gardens

Ledge and Gardens won the “Best Garden Blog Award” from Horticulture Magazine in 2012. Their garden design blogs discuss various landscape and garden topics, smart gardening techniques and plants that are to their Rhode Island location. This blog site is loaded with helpful landscape information and great links to horticulture guides, a wildflower directory, a Latin botanical names directory; the Garden Guys Radio Show; and the University of Maryland Plants Diagnostics Guide. You can’t ask for much more educational help than that!

2. Unique Landscapes

Unique landscapes, located in Phoenix, Arizona provides beautiful photography and helpful tips on both landscape and swimming pool design. If you’re interested in unique swimming pools and spas, this landscape design blog will be very inspiring. Blog topics focus on beautiful pools and spas for all types of homes, as well as care and maintenance issues. Unique Landscapes offers great advice on pool amenities like floor cleaners, heaters, underwater lighting, underwater shelves, swim-up bars and outdoor misting systems. You’ll get a lot of inspiring design ideas through this blog. Unique Landscapes was ranked among the top landscape companies in Phoenix from 2010 through 2014, and received the Best of Houzz Design Award in 2015.

3. Avant Gardening & Landscaping

Located in McFarland, WI, Avant Gardening & Landscaping is a full-service landscape company for residential and commercial customers. They provide basic landscape maintenance services, design and build services and commercial snow removal services. Their landscaping blogs are educational, and they offer readers good design ideas and “how to” tips on a wide range of topics. They have a mobile nursery that offers beautiful perennials that are grown locally in the area. They also have an annual Garden Expo that’s held on premises and offers over 150 free seminars and demonstrations to learn the latest in gardening and landscaping trends. What a great educational tool for the community!

4. A Way To Garden

A Way To Garden is one of the best educational blogs you’ll find. With a focus on gardening, you’ll find great articles on all types of plants, flowers, shrubs and trees, annuals, perennials and bulbs, vegetable and edible gardens and landscape design ideas. This landscape design blog contains a large list of “how-to” posts on a wide range of subjects from composting to outdoor pests and diseases. Organic gardening is a popular topic, as well as interesting posts on nature-related subjects and garden FAQs. The blogger, Margaret Roach, is a long-time gardener and former garden editor for Martha Stewart Living.

5. Borst Landscape & Design

Borst Landscape & Design is an award-winning landscape company located in Allendale, NJ. With over 25 years of experience, Borst is one of New Jersey’s most respected landscape companies. As a consecutive winner of the NJLCA Residential and Commercial Landscape Maintenance Award, the Borst landscape design blog offers readers valuable, educational landscape information on a wide range of topics. As a full-service landscape company, Borst has a well-educated and trained staff who can provide a variety of services including lawn care and maintenance, organic lawn care, garden design, outdoor pest control, landscape lighting and design/build services for outdoor landscape features that will add value to your home. Borst Landscape & Design provides residential and commercial landscape services, as well as landscape packages to New Jersey homeowners in Bergen County.

6. Backyard Landscape Ideas

Backyard Landscape Ideas gives you tips, resources, and how-to’s that will help you build the backyard of your dreams. The author updates the blog section regularly with unique and new ideas for backyard design. You can also find advice on topics ranging from patios to landscape lighting and water features to planting ideas. In addition to the great content written for the site, Backyard Landscape Ideas also features a Community section where you can get help from other landscape enthusiasts. You can share your landscaping ideas with other readers of the blog and you can also read ideas proposed by readers like you. There is also a section where you can share pictures of your landscape with other readers.

7. The High Line

The High Line is a public park maintained, operated, and programmed by Friends of the High Line, in partnership with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation. Volunteers and friends of the High Line help to raise 98 percent of the annual budget to maintain the city park. Owned and operated by the City of New York, the High Line serves as a city park to residents in the area. Landscaping blogs feature interesting articles on planting, sustainable design and landscape design ideas for the park. The High Line is an inspirational blog that promotes green landscaping and features the outstanding landscaping results of an involved New York community.

8. Urban Greenery

Urban Greenery is simply an incredible site that shows an inspiring side of urban living. With beautiful photography and interesting articles, you’ll find yourself rather mesmerized by all the landscaping possibilities and creative designs. From rooftop gardens to living walls, this landscape design blog captures the true impact that beautiful landscaping can have on urban city lifestyles. If you weren’t a fan of urban living before, you certainly will be after following these inspiring landscaping blogs.

9. 66 Square Feet

66 Square Feet is a unique, informative blog site that focuses on gardening and landscaping for small outdoor spaces and urban rooftops. You’ll find wonderful landscaping blogs, design tips and photos for rooftop garden ideas in New York City, Brooklyn, the Bronx and various urban areas throughout New York and New Jersey. Although most landscaping blogs are geared to homeowners with great yards, this one focuses on people who choose to live in urban areas where living spaces are small, and there’s no such thing as a back yard. 66 Square Feet is inspiring for all those city dwellers out there!

10. Birds & Blooms

Birds & Blooms offers a landscape design blog that focuses on creating a natural eco-system between birds and flowers in your landscape. If you’re interested in attracting beautiful birds to your landscape and garden, this blog site will teach you how. You can learn about flowers that attract birds, bees and butterflies and create a balanced eco-system that will sustain them. There’s also posts about bird feeding and feeders, birdbaths and natural ponds and specialty plantings that attract various bird species to your landscape. By following this unique landscaping blog, you’ll learn a lot of fun facts about beautiful birds and blooms.

11. Sparrow Landscaping

Sparrow is a landscape design blog with easy-to-read articles and inspiring photography. The focus is on building a harmonious balance between landscaping, nature and wildlife. With the use of native plants and specialty gardens, Sparrow will inspire you to get in touch with nature. You’ll find a variety of educational articles about flowers, butterflies, wildlife and furry little critters who often want to nest in your landscape. Many of the landscape photos show more casual, natural landscapes that promote a more organic link between man and nature.

12. Bonza Landscaping & Hardscaping

Bonza Landscaping, located in Morristown, PA, takes a simple, direct approach to educating their readers and customers with their landscaping blog. Topics cover a wide range of landscaping and hardscaping interests such as preparing your lawn for summer heat, installing a new patio, outdoor landscape features, landscape lighting and holiday decorating ideas for your landscape. Their landscapes, as well as their blog posts, focus on simplicity and a design approach with more traditional appeal for Pennsylvania homeowners and businesses.

13. Dirt Simple

Dirt Simple is the blog of landscape and garden designer, Deborah Silver in Sylvan Lake, Michigan. Although her formal education was in English literature and biology, her passion for landscaping and gardening led her to landscape design. Her love for gardening and her creative eye makes her landscape design blog interesting and inspiring to read. Since 1986, she has become one of the most respected landscape designers and gardeners in the Detroit area. Her blog contains photos and design tips that make you want to run out and plant a garden!

14. Outdoor Home Living

Outdoor Home Living is a Mesquite, Texas based landscaping company that provides lawn care services throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Area. This company designs, installs, and maintains one-of-a-kind outdoor living spaces. Their outdoor landscape design and installation services can transform your home into a residential paradise. They began as a simple lawn mowing company but later expanded into full-service landscaping, pool landscaping, and outdoor kitchens, fire pits, and much more. Their blog features a great mix of informative professional landscaping advice as well as do-it-yourself tips and tricks for creating and maintaining a beautiful yard.

15. Hanselman Landscape and Gardens

Hanselman Landscape and Gardens provides landscape and garden design, care and maintenance and specialty nursery care for residential projects. Their landscaping blog and creative designs focus on Japanese gardens, water gardens, courtyard gardens, children’s gardens, as well as swimming pool landscaping. Their blog is creative with important design advice for readers, in addition to colorful images that are inspirational. As a family-owned business, Hanselman Landscape and Gardens has been designing unique landscapes for private and corporate clients in Pennsylvania for more than 25 years.

16. Garden History Girl

Garden History Girl is a wonderful landscape design blog that takes you back through the pages of history with beautiful landscaping and garden facts and photography. You’ll learn about Thomas Edison’s passion for gardening, along with information and photos of French gardens, Russian gardens, European landscapes, native landscapes, courtyard landscapes and beautiful outdoor ornaments and pottery. If you’re a history buff and you love landscaping and gardening, this blog is very inspirational, whether you’re a novice or avid gardener.

17. Pith & Vigor

A stylish looking blog that appeals to beginners and professionals, Pith & Vigor has a layout that’s easy to follow. Managed and written by a Boston-based writer, Rochelle Greayer, these landscaping blogs are full of helpful information, design tips and garden advice. Pith & Vigo blogs were voted the “best garden design blog” by the US Mouse and Trowel Awards in 2013. Posts are well-written, organized and very educational. More like this please!

18. Neave Landscaping

Neave Landscaping, a full-service landscaping contractor in New York, has a separate blog for each of their four divisions: pools, sports, landscaping and décor. All of their posts are light hearted, easy-to-read and take a playful approach to serious landscaping topics. Neave’s landscape design blog covers a variety of topics on for residential, commercial and institutional clients throughout New York areas. With more than 40 years of experience and four New York locations, Neave Landscaping is equipped to handle large projects within New York and Western Connecticut.

19. Picture Perfect Lawn & Landscape

Picture Perfect Lawn & Landscape is a landscape, irrigation, and maintenance company based in Waco, Texas. They are experts in the basics of lawn care and landscaping but also have great ideas for improving a landscape. They are also experts in designing, installing, and repairing sprinkler systems. Their irrigational services also include custom designs, system modifications, tree bubblers, rain and freeze sensors, and french drains. In the Picture Perfect Lawn & Landscape blog, you will find a large variety of topics like actionable landscaping tips, outdoor project ideas, and irrigation tips.

20. The Level Green Landscaping Blog

The Level Green Landscaping Blog is a great landscaping blog site that offers a lot of basic, practical information on lawn care, planting new sod, pruning shrubs and trees, pest control and landscape design ideas. Blog posts are educational and easy-to-read, so they’re great for both beginners and advanced gardeners. You’ll find topics on watering and irrigation techniques, signs of an over watered lawn, lawn damage and diseases, installing sprinklers and best times for planting and watering. The information on The Level Green Landscaping Blog covers a wide range of landscaping topics, but they’re interesting and enjoyable.

21. Farmington Gardens

Farmington Gardens is a retail nursery and grower in Beaverton, Oregon where you can actually purchase plants and trees. Their landscape design blog includes wonderful articles on different types of shrubs and trees, blooming plants, colorful ground covers, beautiful flower beds, whimsical gardens and easy-to-maintain succulents that provide water conservation. You’ll also find practical posts on proper watering and irrigation, pruning, deadheading, garden cleanup and proper plant selection for your landscape. This is a well-written blog that’s easy to follow and enjoyable to read.

22. Black Forest Landscape

Black Forest Landscape offers readers blog topics about landscape design and installation that’s geared to DIY landscapers and gardeners in Colorado. You’ll find a variety of interesting articles on landscape design, hardscaping ideas, creating colorful borders and beds, selecting plants, shrubs and trees and specialty gardens. There are practical posts on irrigation techniques, proper planting and pruning, erosion control and outdoor pests and diseases.

23. Cold Climate Gardening

If you live in a cold climate region like Northern NJ with unpredictable spring and fall temperatures that create shorter growing seasons, you’ll appreciate this landscape design blog. It offers detailed information on choosing plants, shrubs and trees for colder climates. It also covers the basics of extending the growing season through hoop tunnels and floating row covers that protect plants from freezing temperatures. You’ll find lots of interesting articles on planting bulbs, annuals and perennials, blooming plants and shrubs for areas with cold winters.

24. Fine Gardening

If you’re inspired by beautiful photographs of colorful plants and flowers, Fine Gardening should be on your list of landscaping blogs to follow. In addition to gorgeous photography, you’ll find articles on landscaping and gardening that are educational and easy-to-read. Blogs talk about low-maintenance grasses for your yard, succulents for water conservation, shrubs for privacy hedges, garden beds with annuals and perennials and creative landscaping design ideas for your yard and patio. Find Gardening blogs will inspire your visual senses and fill your brain with great landscaping and garden ideas.

25. Seasonal Wisdom

Seasonal Wisdom is a great landscape design blog that offers readers a wealth of information on gardening and landscaping. You’ll find articles on seasonal planting, pruning, mulching, fertilizing and pest control, as well as practical “how to” articles on a variety of landscaping subjects. This blog site provides links to great garden tours, historic gardens and resources for helpful landscaping and gardening books. Seasonal Wisdom was a 2015 finalist in the Gardening Bloggers Hall of Fame for best garden and landscape blog.

26. Landscape + Urbanism

Landscape + Urbanism is an interesting blog written by a landscape architect who combines topics on landscape design with topics on architecture. The landscape design company, based in Portland, Oregon, features contemporary landscape ideas and modern architectural designs. You’ll find this blog interesting and inspiring from a modern point of view.

27. Clean Air Through Green Roofs

If you’re interested in green living and sustainable designs, you’ll find Clean Air Through Green Roofs landscaping blogs very inspiring. Along with promoting green ecosystems and water conservation, this blog site discusses the many benefits of green roofs and features some interesting photos of homes and commercial buildings in the US and other countries that have green roofs.

28. Hanselman Landscape and Gardens

Hanselman Landscape and Gardens provides landscape and garden design, care and maintenance and specialty nursery care for residential projects. Their landscaping blogs and creative designs focus on Japanese gardens, water gardens, courtyard gardens, children’s gardens and swimming pool landscaping. Their blogs bring a unique sense of creativity with important design advice for readers and colorful images that are inspirational.

29. Backyard Blogger

Backyard Blogger is written by a self taught home gardener in Texas who simply has a passion for landscaping and gardening. Landscaping blogs are easy-to-read and follow for beginners and more experienced gardeners. You’ll find wonderful blogs on landscaping and planting, flower gardens, edible gardens and pruning schedules and techniques. There’s a variety of unique and interesting topics like green gardening gift ideas, gardening with kids, garden to table cooking, seasonal garden ideas and water saving tips for hot and humid Texas landscapes. These blogs take a no-frills approach to landscaping and gardening and provide a lot of basic advice.

30. Garden History Girl

Garden History Girl is a wonderful blog that takes you back through the pages of history with beautiful landscaping and garden facts and photography. You’ll learn about Thomas Edison’s passion for gardening, along with information and photos of French gardens, Russian gardens, European landscapes, native landscapes, courtyard landscapes and beautiful outdoor ornaments and pottery. If you’re a history buff and you love landscaping and gardening, this blog is very inspirational, regardless of if you’re a novice or avid gardener.

31. Chaparral Landscaping

Chaparral Landscaping, located in Santa Maria, CA., is a full-service landscape company that focuses on the design and installation of outdoor features and hardscapes. They build and install walkways and pathways, patios, retaining walls, interlocking paver driveways, outdoor water features and landscape lighting. Since they’re located in California, a drought prone area, landscaping blogs often focus on artificial turf and drought-tolerant plants, shrubs and trees that promote water conservation, a popular landscaping option for California homeowners. This blog will inspire you to think about the benefits of beautiful, cost-efficient landscaping.

32. Urban Greenery

Urban Greenery is simply an incredible site that shows an inspiring side of urban living. With beautiful photography and interesting articles, you’ll find yourself rather mesmerized by all the landscaping possibilities and creative designs. From rooftop gardens to living walls, this blog site captures the true impact that beautiful landscaping can have on people’s lifestyles. If you weren’t a fan of urban living before, you certainly will be after following these remarkable landscaping blogs.

33. House Landscaping Ideas

House Landscaping Ideas features landscaping and planting ideas for your front and back yards. You’ll find interesting posts on garden design ideas, pool landscaping ideas, selecting plants for different sun and shade conditions, plant, shrub and tree varieties and some hardscaping ideas. There’s also some posts on new landscaping materials like rocks and sand used in sustainable landscapes and gardens, planters and beds and walkways and pathways. You’ll find links to creative design software for landscape design and gardening.

34. Ledge and Gardens

Ledge and Gardens won the “Best Garden Blog Award” from Horticulture Magazine in 2012. Their garden design blogs discuss various landscape and garden topics, smart gardening techniques and plants that are native to their Rhode Island location. This blog site is loaded with helpful landscape information and great links to horticulture guides, a wildflower directory, a Latin botanical names directory; the Garden Guys Radio Show; and the University of Maryland Plants Diagnostics Guide. You can’t ask for much more educational help than that!

35. Neave Landscaping

Neave Landscaping, a full-service landscaping contractor in New York, is unique because they have a separate blog for each of their four divisions: pools, sports, landscaping and décor. All of their blogs are light-hearted and take a playful approach to serious topics. Although blogs are easy and fun to read, they are quite educational on a variety of topics related to each division. Neave’s landscaping blogs cover a variety of topics on their main landscape services including landscape design, landscape service and maintenance, design/build construction and gardens for residential, commercial and institutional clients through New York areas.

36. Cody Landscape

Cody Landscape blogs focus on landscaping ideas and information on different varieties of plants, flowers, shrubs and trees. You’ll find helpful information on planting schedules, propagating and pruning, water and irrigation, plant selections and care and maintenance. Blog posts feature a lot of information on evergreens, annuals and perennials, container gardens, arbor and trellis gardens, as well as photos of beautiful, colorful blooms for your landscape.

37. Fine Gardening

If you’re inspired by beautiful photographs of colorful plants and flowers, Fine Gardening should be on your list of landscaping blogs to follow. In addition to gorgeous photography, you’ll find articles on landscaping and gardening that are educational and easy-to-read. Blogs talk about low-maintenance grasses for your yard, succulents for water conservation, shrubs for privacy hedges, garden beds with annuals and perennials and creative landscaping design ideas for your yard and patio. Fine Gardening blogs will inspire your visual senses and fill your brain with great landscaping and garden ideas.

38. Sounds Green

Sounds Green is a fun, colorful blog that will keep you reading! You’ll find blog posts on a variety of topics under basic landscaping care and maintenance, garden design, landscape design and green landscaping. Posts also discuss common landscaping problems like standing water and drainage issues, erosion and re-grading issues and landscaping for hillsides and steep slopes. Sounds Green blogs are directed toward the DIY landscaper, so there are helpful “how to” tutorials and videos that make this blog good for beginners.

39. 66 Square Feet

66 Square Feet is a unique, informative blog site that focuses on gardening and landscaping for small outdoor spaces and urban rooftops. You’ll find wonderful landscaping blogs, design tips and photos for rooftop garden ideas in New York City, Brooklyn, the Bronx and various urban areas throughout New York and New Jersey. Although most landscaping blogs are geared to homeowners with great yards, this one focuses on people who choose to live in urban areas where living spaces are small, and there’s no such thing as a back yard. 66 Square Feet is inspiring for all those city dwellers out there!

40. Landscaping Videos

Landscaping Videos is a unique blog site with great landscaping articles and videos on a variety of topics. You’ll find interesting landscaping blogs on front yard and back yard landscaping, landscaping design ideas, creating curb appeal, as well as more practical subjects like mulching, pruning and watering. What makes this site different, is the videos on a variety of landscaping subjects that provide visual help and instructions. You can watch a video on building a retaining wall, creating a flagstone pathway, landscaping a hill or slope, how to cut flagstone and how to lay a patio with pavers. The landscaping videos are extremely helpful for beginning gardeners and DIY landscapers.

The post Best Landscape Design Blogs in 2016 appeared first on Borst Landscape & Design.

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What to Ask When Buying a Block of Land

When buying a block of land, it is important to go in with your eyes wide open. While a block of land may look perfect on the surface, there are a lot of underlying factors to consider. From legalities to the nature of the land, being informed of every piece of information can save a lot of heartbreak down the line. That is why, when purchasing a block of land, it is important to ask the hard questions before signing on the dotted line.

Importance of Location

The location of your home is paramount. That is why it is important to ask a few key questions pertaining to location before you purchase a block of land.

Know your Locations

When buying a property one of the first things you need to consider is location. The block must be situated in a spot that makes sense for you. In order to find this, ask questions such as the proximity to transport, schools and shopping precincts.

The choice of location will largely depend on the lifestyle you’re looking for. If you can work remotely, perhaps look for a rural block with plenty of space and privacy. If you are dreaming of building a property with ocean views, consider the price you are willing to pay for a house with certain accessories in this area.

Look at Planning Controls

Another important aspect of location is looking at planning controls. The last thing buyers want to happen is to purchase a block of land only to find out that the council has plans for major infrastructure works on surrounding blocks.

Therefore it is important to carry out your own due diligence to avoid any surprises later on. If the block you’re looking to purchase is surrounded by other vacant blocks, check zoning and land use to understand if there is any potentially deal breaking works planned for the neighbouring blocks.

Block Breakdown

Before committing to purchasing a block of land, it is important to understand the nature of the block in consideration. For example, does the block of land feature any slopes? It is important to know the dimensions and nature of the slopes now. This will allow you to research the extra costs of slopes to the building phase and determine if your budget can cater for this.

Another thing to consider is the nature of the soil on the block. If the soil grading isn’t perfect, it could have an impact on the cost of building foundations for a house.

Check Orientation

Always check the block of land’s orientation. In the Southern Hemisphere, the northern orientation is most popular. This is due to the fact that northern sun passively heats a home while also offering protection from eastern and western sun. This results in better energy efficiency and therefore significant savings on energy bills.

Utilities

You need to know if key services are available. The availability of key services like power, water, sewerage, gas, internet and telephone should be questioned before purchasing the land. If they are available, it is also best to check their location as well.

By asking the land developer these questions before purchasing the land, you can skip the surprise of finding out that these services aren’t available after you’ve purchased the land. Asking this question early also allows you to determine the connections costs and allow room for these in the budget.

Legal Considerations

When buying a block of land there are some legal considerations to take into account. It is best to be aware of these before purchasing the block of land in case any legalities turn into deal breakers.

1. Approval to Build

Before land owners are allowed to build on a block of land, they need to acquire building or development approval. This approval could prevent you from developing the land the way you intend so it is important to ask about the block of land and its potential before purchasing.

2. Easements

An easement may affect where you can and cannot build on your block of land. This is so third parties such as electricity or water authorities can access your land. If these easements are in place, it is important to know about them as they could play a part in changing your vision for the block of land.

3. Covenants

Sometimes with specific blocks, there are covenants in place. This means there are restrictions on the building materials that are allowed to be used. This could also mean that there are restrictions in place as to how the land can be developed. Therefore, it is important to have this information before making any commitments.

Ready to Build a House?

Once you have done due diligence and worked out if a block of land suits your lifestyle and your needs, the exciting part can begin- building the house.

Looking for your dream home? Kitome offers a wide range of fully customisable homes for you to choose from or you can design your own!Talk to the friendly team at Kitome today.

The post What to Ask When Buying a Block of Land appeared first on Kitome.

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