Your patio is a reflection of you and the surrounding area. It can be personalized for your taste. Here are some examples of our work.

Will they last?
We typically install pavers due to their longevity. Pavers properly installed will outlast concrete. Concrete cracks and requires patch material or replacement to fix. If pavers shift, they can be repaired with a minimum of work and the beauty of the patio will not be altered and there will be no unsightly repairs. We guarantee our work for two years in most cases and will guarantee it for as long as you keep up a yearly maintenance contract with us.

When you plan out your patio, think about these things:

• What colors do you like?
• Do you want flat grey concrete, colored and/or stamped concrete, natural stone or pavers?
• Do you like large or smaller patterns in your patio?
• Do you like the herringbone, basket weave, random, circle or some other pattern?

While we mainly use Anchor pavers for their price and quality, we have used others including Willow Creek , Belgard , Borgert , and Interlock.

These are our minimum installation guidelines for installing pavers:
I. We start by identifying the requirements and calculating the grade. Are there steps, retaining walls, doors, existing patio spaces, drains, or any other site concerns that will affect how the pavers need to be placed? A minimum of one inch over eight feet is needed for proper drainage.
II. Dig out the area. Seven inches is the minimum excavation required for proper installation.
III. Install geotextile fabric if needed.
IV. A minimum of four inches of paver base. Common terms are ¾ minus or Class 2 or Class 5.
V. Pack in the paver base two inches at a time. Depending on the compaction equipment, this may be all that can be packed properly. Remember to include one inch of slope for every 8 feet!
VI. Install one inch of washed or coarse sand by laying out ¾ inch pipe, which has a one inch outside diameter, to run a screed on. Scrape the sand smooth, using a finish trowel to fill in the holes where the pipes were.
VII. Start laying pavers! Cut pavers as required.
VIII. Install edging around the pavers. There are several different types.
IX. Fill cracks with polymeric sand and water to lock the joints together. Some contractors use coarse sand, but in just a few years weeds and ants may come marching through your patio! Follow the instructions for the polymeric sand if you are using that. Typically you mist water on the sand, gently splash the sand, and then soak the sand.
X. Spray off all the excess sand, clean up the area and go home!

 

What others say about Inspired Design Landscapes, Inc: "Jeff is very conscientious and very hard-working. The digital photos and drawings he provided us were so beautiful, we were very pleased with his design concepts. The plants he selected, which he credited to his wife's advice, were perfectly matched to exterior color scheme, and the decorative urn was the icing on the cake. The landscaping he installed instantly transformed the curb appeal of our home, and we received an offer within one day of listing it. We are very grateful to Jeff and his staff for their quick response to our call for help, their beautiful design, and their dedication and hard-work. Several neighbors stopped by to get Jeff's card while he was working on our yard. Also, I am pleased to say that our realtor wanted Jeff's card because she was so stunned by the dramatic transformation to our front yard. Jeff and Becky - Thank you very much for your excellent service. We are most grateful for your help and your professionalism." - Harriet & Bruce B.

Retaining Walls

When planning out your retaining wall, there are many options to choose from. For being such a functional item, the options for dressing them up are bountiful! Choose the right style, color, and material type to be installed straight, curvy, free standing or columnar to make it a place for you! Steps can also be incorporated to increase functionality.

Check out some of our pictures and let us know how we can help you!

Natural stone is unique and one of the best ways to see what you like is go somewhere that sells natural stone. If you want to see stone options on your own, stop at Gertens in Inver Grove Heights or Hedberg Landscape and Masonry supplies in either Stillwater, Plymouth, or Farmington for stone options.

There are many different concrete wall stone and patterns available to use. Versalok is a retaining wall stone that we have used a lot of, mainly for their affordability and ease of installation. There are other types by Anchor, Rockwood, and Allen Block.

Here are our guidelines for installing retaining walls: Any retaining wall over four feet in Minnesota needs approval from the governing authority. There should be a minimum of six inches of base material under the wall, drainage rock and drain tile behind the wall to relieve water pressure. Be leery of any installation over 2 feet without these preventative measures built in.

Thank you for considering us for your patio and retaining wall needs.

What others say about Inspired Design Landscapes, Inc: "Inspired Design Landscapes, Inc. Designed and landscaped our whole yard. We are very satisfied with the experience and would recommend them to friends and colleagues." -Chuck & Bonnie S.