Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Project Profile – What’s Old Is New Again

patio furniture on freshly installed patio

Recycling Landscape Materials To Make New Projects

If you did not know it by now, at Allentuck Landscaping Co, we love to recycle just about everything we can think of. We turn our customer’s yard waste (to the tune of 5,400 cy. yds each year) into leafmold that gets returned into gardens. In the shop we recycle tires, batteries, oil and metals. Of course, in the office we recycle paper, cans and bottles. We’ve even been known to turn old wooden pallets into garden stakes, bird houses and planters!

Recently, we had the opportunity to recycle two customer’s landscape materials into new projects for them.

Old Bricks Become A New Patio

In this first project, we have worked with the customer in Potomac, Maryland for over 20 years. From the beginning, their brick patio had been falling apart and needed to be redone. The railroad ties around it had deteriorated and the brick pavers were shifting away from each other.

Following a frank conversation about the available options, we got the green light to re-build that patio. The bricks were lifted and set aside, the sand base was removed (it turned out to be 10” deep!) and the railroad ties were discarded.

Next, we installed new pressure treated timbers, graded out and tamped a new aggregate stone base and sand leveling base (only 1” this time) and re-installed the brick pavers. To give the pavers a fresh look we brought in the power washer. New plants complimented the patio with stunning color and texture.

The new patio turned out beautifully and our client will be enjoying it for years to come.

A Stone Patio is Re-Purposed Into A Welcoming Walkway

In this project in North Potomac, Maryland, our client wanted to remove a natural stone patio that was falling apart and install a basketball court for his children to enjoy. They also happened to have an ugly, plain concrete stoop and walkway that did not compliment their beautiful home.

The solution, remove the stone from the patio and use it to cover the ugly concrete walkway. The stone itself was natural, quarried irregular stone. This means that each piece needed to be fitted or cut to fit with other pieces. It is a painstaking process and our team did a fantastic job.

Piece by piece, the stones were mortared onto the concrete. The crew started with the sides of the stoop, moved onto the top surface of the stoop and then worked their way down the walkway to the driveway.

In the end, the walkway is like no other in the neighborhood and creates a warm welcome at the end of the day and to visiting friends.

Recycling old materials is not always an option as it was in these two projects, but if it is, repurposing is a wonderful way to make use of what is already available.

 

Similar Posts:

Front Walkway and Stoop in Gaithersburg, MD

Elegant Flagstone Patio and Fire Place in Chevy Chase, MD

Remember, Allentuck Landscaping Co. is always here to help you design, install, construct and maintain you lawn and landscape. Now is the time to get your 2016 Lawn and Landscape Maintenance Quote. Give us a call!

 Allentuck Landscaping Co. is Your Residential Landscape Company

Phone: 301-515-1900

Email: info@allentucklandscaping.com 

Proudly serving Chevy Chase, Bethesda, Potomac, Darnestown, North Potomac, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Boyds, Germantown, Clarksburg, Ijamsville, Urbana and Frederick.

How Long Should Pressure Treated Timbers Last?

You’ve just invested in a new retaining wall, garden edging, or set of steps. It looks solid. Feels sturdy. And you’re thinking, this should last forever. But here’s the reality: even the best pressure treated timbers have a shelf life. The big question—how long should pressure treated timbers last—comes down to more than just the wood itself. Where you put it, how it’s installed, and how you care for it all make a huge difference. Some timbers can keep going

READ MORE »

Top August Garden Tips: Setting Yourself Up for a Brilliant Fall

Landscaping is a long game, and these top August garden tips are all about playing it smart. What you do now sets the stage for a healthier, better-looking yard this fall—and even next spring. If your landscape’s looking a little tired, we can help bring it back to life. We’ve been doing this for 35+ years and know how to turn late-summer blah into fall brilliance. 1. Refresh Mulch and Cut Back Overgrowth By August, mulch starts to fade, thin

READ MORE »

Vegetable Gardening at ALC HQ: Growing More Than Vegetables

Why the ALC HQ Garden Matters—For Us and Our Clients At Allentuck Landscaping Co., we talk a lot about Improving Lives Through Landscaping. But that doesn’t just happen out in the field or on a client’s property. Sometimes, it happens right here at our own headquarters—through vegetable gardening in the rows of peppers, tomatoes, squash, and greens we’ve got growing behind the shop. Yep, we’ve got a vegetable garden. And it’s not just for show. It’s for our team. And

READ MORE »

Patio Privacy Ideas That Actually Work

Tired of feeling like you’re on display every time you step outside? You’re not alone. Most suburban backyards weren’t exactly designed with privacy in mind. Whether it’s nosey neighbors, second-story windows peering down at you, or just the general lack of separation between homes, it’s hard to fully relax on your patio when you feel like you’re being watched. But good news—privacy doesn’t require a tall, ugly fence or a complete redesign. With a few smart moves, you can transform

READ MORE »

Drainage Problems: When To Call A Foundation Repair Company vs A Landscape Contractor

Water in the wrong place can quietly wreck your home. One day it’s just a soggy lawn. The next, you’re looking at cracks in your basement wall or a patio that’s sinking like quicksand. Here’s the thing: not all drainage problems are created equal—and neither are the pros who fix them. Knowing when to call a foundation repair company versus a landscape contractor can save you time, stress, and serious money. Let’s break down who does what, what to look

READ MORE »

How Wide Should A Front Walkway Be

A front walkway is one of those details that seems small—until it isn’t. Too narrow, and it feels awkward. Too wide, and it might look out of place. Just right? It feels welcoming. Comfortable. Easy. So, let’s answer the question that brings you here: how wide should a front walkway be? The answer depends on how you use it, what kind of impression you want to make, and how it fits into the style of your home. We’ve been designing

READ MORE »