Woody's Custom Landscaping

Videos of Flagstone Patios Done Right

Here come a few videos of flagstone patios done right. Some are with gravel as a grout, and some are on a concrete sub slab with mortar grout. Even though some of the videos have gravel as the grout, I still consider it masonry because of the cutting involved.

Thank you for viewing and please call us at 360-687-1882

Landscape designers and architects Vancouver Washington

Most people have a pretty good idea of what they want regarding landscaping for their home. The problem is, I think that many people don’t realize the full potential of their yards because they do not consider either a designer or a landscape architect. Many would not bother to ask this simple question. What kind of material should we make the retaining wall out of? Would they of thought of the materials in this next photo? Below is a photo of a job designed by a landscape architect. We installed the landscape construction.

A good landscape architect or designer can offer many possibilities of what may grow from in your garden. Let’s face it, they went to school for design. They are current in their industry. They know the new look and exciting ways to transpose your gardens into something truly fantastic and awe inspiring. The picture below shows a secret garden in the front yard. Quatrefoil Landscape Architects implemented the plan. We installed the hardscape and softscape.

Can a home owner really design a fantastic landscape plan?
Most of the time no.
For the money spent on a landscape designer or architect the homeowner can know exactly what is proposed. They can make a budget for the garden. They can put it out to bid where all contractors know and bid the same items. No guessing. No substitutions. Less hassles for the home owner.
The video below shows 2 designs, same home. The rear of the property was designed by Planning Solutions in Vancouver. The front of the home by one of my employees Scott Andrews. Please enjoy.

Water Features, Ponds, Water Falls and Bubblers Vancouver Washington

Water Features

Water features have been a very hot item the last 15 years or so. Every one wanted one. A lot of people got them. There seems to be bubbler rock in front or the rear of many homes. My guess is about 10%.
The demand for them has waned somewhat, with both the economy and with many people saying not so positive things about their ponds or water features. In fact this last year, we have filled in two ponds that some one else installed. They did not do a bad job. The people were tired of dealing with the maintenance. The bad news is out. Is it all true?
Now we get that yes and no answer. Yes, water features require maintenance. Yes they require people pay attention to them. After all that’s why they were installed. Right? Yes, many contractors just caught the wave and really did not know what they were doing and installed many with no regard to energy efficiency, filters, skimmers, and easy drainage for cleaning.
At Woody’s Custom Landscaping, Inc. we have been installing water features, ponds and waterfalls since 1989 in S.W. Washington and now in Oregon. Our clients still love them even though it does require some maintenance.
In the video below you will see two water features, both at the same home. One we will call a normal size the other is really a small lake. Please enjoy.

Night Lighting in Vancouver Washington

I know, Home Depot has a 200 light set for $39.99.
Question is:
How long do they last?
Is it made from plastic or metal?
How well are the transformers made?
Do they offer well made led lights?
Do you really know how to install them properly and show off your property at night?
Take a look at what Woody has been up to. Night lighting is just a small portion of the landscaping services we offer. Give us a call at 360-687-1882
The types of lighting are endless. Up lights Down Lights Path lights, Step lights shadow lighting cross lighting silhouette lighting.
Below are some examples of lighting we installed in Vancouver Washington

Low voltage lights Portland Oregon

Low voltage lights can really make a difference in the enjoyment of your front or back yard, not to mention the enhanced security you will have. Path lights, up lights, step lights and of course down lights,all will cheer up that dark night and also keep unwanted strangers from hanging around.
Led lights are now full of the quality that count. Bulbs last up to 17 years, and are a greener alternative vs. incandescent bulbs. Night lighting is a fantastic way to show off your home and landscaping.

Water Features and Ponds Portland Oregon

Water Features

Woody’s Custom Landscaping has been installing custom award winning water features, ponds, water falls and bubblers in the Northwest for over 20 years.
Each water feature has a unique look and style.
Enclosed find a few selections of different water features we have installed in the last few years. Some of which are award winners.

Blending pavers on any paver job

Blending pavers from different pallets is not new to Woody’s Custom Landscaping, Inc. We don’t get frustrated because we always blend from different pallets. If you the home owner is planning on a paver install of patio, driveway or path, remember to blend from different pallets. If you need someone who is certified and knows all the tricks think Woody’s Custom Landscaping Inc.,

Monday, September 14, 2009 at 10:34am
ATTN: Landscape Contractors: We have heard some landscape contractors describe their frustration when it comes to seeing different colors from pallet to pallet. The same frustration has been heard from contractors who lay pavers from the top of the pallet and install layer by layer.

There is a better technique to achieving a uniform blend of color on your jobsite: Blend from two or more pallets at a time. You can understand that our pavers are made several times throughout the year. Each run number could possibly be a slight shade different from the last run. To achieve a consistent color blend, it is important that you mix pavers from multiple pallets together as you lay your design.

Secondly, peeling pavers from the side of the pallet (versus from the top layer by layer) in stacks of 7 to 9 pavers at a time further blends the coloring from each pallet.

A video with properly blended pavers and great flagstone work

Masonry Green and LEED

I really like this article. It pertains to green in a very big way with life cycle costs.

Looking Beyond LEED for Masonry Green
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There has been a lot of discussion over the years about how masonry can contribute LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) points for architects and building owners who are seeking LEED Certification for their projects. Most of the interest to date has been focused on points available for the recycled content of our materials and/or whether or not our manufacturing plants and their associated raw materials are located regionally within 500 miles of a project site.

To a lesser extent there has also been interest in gaining points through “construction waste management” by the efficient use of our materials and minimal packaging, utilizing lighter colored masonry materials to combat the “heat island effect”, permeable paving for “stormwater management” and in using masonry’s inherent mass to “optimize energy performance”.

But one area that has been overlooked by LEED is “life cycle costs”. Masonry is a strong and durable material. Certainly most of us when thinking of blocks of stone, concrete or bricks would agree. Masonry does not require a lot of maintenance. It’s insect and water resistant. It will not provide a medium for mold growth and it will not burn. When properly designed and constructed, masonry structures have very long service lives. We see this everyday in schools, libraries, courthouses, etc., that were built at the turn of the last century and are now being renovated for another 100 yrs of service life. In short, because masonry lasts so long and requires such little maintenance, it is arguably one of the most cost effective materials on the market today.

Critics will argue that the amount of heat energy needed to manufacture brick is an excessive cost, without putting it in the context of its long life. The actual “embodied energy” of brick (the energy required to mine, manufacture, and transport) is actually less than that of concrete, glass, steel, aluminum, EIFS, wood and fiber cement products (AIA Environmental Resource Guide). Recent research data published by the National Brick Research Center, Clemson University, clearly shows that when cradle-to-grave assessments of all energy and pollution generated to manufacture building materials “over the warranted life” was chosen, brick, with its 100 year life span clearly comes out the winner.

It is unfortunate that the current LEED protocol does not effectively recognize the life cycle cost of building materials. Doesn’t masonry deserve the credit?

Steve Hubbard
Distributor Sales Manager

Old Dominion Paver Pathway Vancouver

Below you will see a good example of Old Dominion pavers installed for a pathway. We also constructed a Pisa II small retaining wall. This job was installed quickly with very little mess.
Our team of experts can easily come in an out of your front or back yard and help you make your paradise.
I want to thank Mutual Materials CO. for always supplying a great product at a good price. I could name names but they probably don’t want to become famous.
Please enjoy the video below.

Custom Masonry Vancouver Washington

Maybe once or twice a year we get the kind of masonry work that makes us all proud. The installation below is a great example of a flagstone patio installed on a concrete sub slab with all the stone work done with mortar. Many people can’t afford patios with mortar so gravel is a great substitute. In this case it is the long term fantastic looking, old world flagstone patio.
Also included was a seat wall with fit pieces of iron mountain flagstone from Mutual Materials Co. We also installed a fire pit in flagstone and a total of 6 pilasters for the entries to the front and rear of the property.
You will notice a paver patio that flows into the rear patio, we constructed that also.
Enjoy the video below.