The good news is that most retaining wall failures can be avoided.   Let’s take a look at 4 preventive measures you can take to help ensure your retaining wall will hold up.

1.  Drainage. The lack of proper drainage is the most common reason for retaining wall failure.  When water is absorbed into the soil behind a retaining wall and it has no place to go, the pressure behind the wall is increased.  If the water continues to build up, it will eventually push the wall out, causing it to bulge or collapse.  Installing drain pipes and using a clean, granular rock for both the backfill and the base of the wall will allow water to drain out.   The pressure will be released and wall failure will be prevented.

2.  Compaction. Poor compaction will eventually cause a retaining wall to shift, producing large gaps within the wall.   The soil needs to be compacted once at the point of excavation, again after the gravel base has been added, and each time backfill is added.  (Backfill should be added after each course of the wall has been installed).  The most effective way to do this is to use a piece of machinery called (you guessed it!) a compactor.

3.  Reinforcements. The type of reinforcements needed depends on a number of factors – the soil conditions, the type of material being used to build the wall, and the height of the wall.  The most common type of reinforcement for modular block retaining walls and rock retaining walls is geogrid.  Geogrid is a mesh-like fabric that helps stabilize the soil and secure the wall.  It is normally added every 2 or 3 courses.

A wall built in clay-like soil will need more geogrid than a wall built with sandy soil.  Likewise, a tall wall will need geogrid for extra reinforcement, whereas a short wall normally will not.  Timber retaining walls require deadmen, which are timber secured perpendicular to the wall.  Deadmen helpanchor the wall to the soil it is supporting, increasing stability.

4.  Engineering. Certain conditions call for a retaining wall to be professionally engineered before it can be built.  Walls exceeding a certain height (usually 3 – 4 feet, depending on soil conditions) should always be engineered.   Retaining walls that will need to hold up against additional pressure, such as a wall restraining a parking lot, should be engineered.  Local city or county ordinances may also require engineering for retaining walls.

Before You Get Started

Before you get started, do your homework.  If you are hiring a retaining wall builder, talk to them about retaining wall failure.  Review your contract carefully to make sure all the costs needed to build the wall properly are included.  If you are going to do it yourself, be sure to follow the installation instructions.  Check into local ordinances for retaining wall requirements.  Don’t hesitate to consult with your supplier or a professional retaining wall builder if you need assistance.

When building properly, retaining walls have the potential to last hundreds of years.  Investing in the proper materials and taking the time to build it right will mean all the difference between a retaining wall that lasts and a retaining wall that fails.

Ask yourself the following questions:

• Are you looking for an outdoor kitchen to use and enjoy for everyday meals, or is it more for weekends and special occasions?
• How many people do you want to be able to cook for?
• Do you want to do your prep work outside or just the grilling?
• Do you have space constraints or challenging obstructions to work around?
• Have you planned for adequate lighting?
• Do you wish to use the kitchen rain or shine? Do you need shelter? Are you going to be grilling in the winter months?

The best outdoor kitchen design should compliment the architecture of your home and the landscape. The entire outdoor kitchen and entertaining space should be designed to functionally co-exist with dining areas, lounging areas, cooking areas and pool areas. We tend to think of these as outdoor rooms and consider the flow of traffic between each of these areas within the design.

Share your answers to the questions above with your outdoor kitchen designer, and be sure to visit our showroom to get ideas (4700 Golden Triangle Rd. Keller, Texas)  Our designers are dedicated to helping you with everything from a small outdoor kitchen island to the most challenging large-scale building projects.

For a free consultation on your outdoor kitchen ideas, give us a call # 817.296.3078, we are here to bring your outdoor kitchen dreams into reality. You will be dining in no time.

Friday, March 9
12:00 pm 9:00 pm
Saturday, March 10
10:00 am 9:00 pm
Sunday, March 11
10:00 am 5:00 pm

Cowboys Stadium
925 N Collins St
Arlington, TX 76011, United States

(817) 892-4000

Download Artistic Stoneworks Guide To Creating The Perfect Outdoor Living Area

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Outdoor kitchens have grown to be increasingly popular these days making family members barbecues simpler than ever before! Cooking within the grill is a good approach to entertain company or simply feed your family without heating up the kitchen area or generating a mess. Currently grilling is simpler and much more exciting by building an outdoor kitchen area. Even the simplest of set-ups can make outside cooking more streamlined. The fanciest types mean you won’t go back inside until all your invited visitors depart for the reason that anything is right at your fingertips! Charcoal was superb in the beginning but the gas grill took over because of its advantages. Today’s innovative grills have side burners, storage space and deliver results. Every little thing is incorporated for your outside patio and entertaining isn’t a chore.

Entertaining in Your Great Outdoor Kitchen Area

If you entertain a great deal then its smart to have an outdoor cooking area. It will also benefit you if you grill in large amounts. You can make use of your patio or deck to setup your outdoor cooking area. Move beyond grilling burgers and hot dogs on a solitary grill in the corner and build a full scale spot for cooking outdoors for you to prepare anything to go along with your grilled foods. One key advantage apart from the convenience is that you can reduce your electricity bill since you won’t need to turn up the air conditioner to cool down the heat from grilling indoors.

You can set up your outdoor kitchen as basic or as fancy as you want making the grill the main centerpiece. You can purchase a grill that comes with wheels which makes it easy to move to any location that you wish. They are available in various sizes, features and price ranges. If you do not need a portable grill and intend for the grill to become a permanent fixture at your residence you could pick a grill which can be constructed into your countertop. In addition to the grill you’ll need utensils like baskets for grilling fish, vegetables and hush puppies, a griddle, tongs and a meat thermometer. Any grill you purchase will in all probability include a side burner. Lighting is also an important feature that you should not neglect. For daylight grilling, outdoor lighting might be your best option.

Grilling In Your Outdoor Kitchen Area

You can ensure your meat cooks perfectly in the center every time by using clipons which attach directly on the grill. You should also think about an exhaust hood to divert the smoke away from your guests. If you reside in an area where it gets cold in the wintertime you’ll also need a patio heater or a fire pit to keep the area warm during these times. Bugs can certainly play a role in ruining the atmosphere that you would have created and spoil the enjoyment for your guests so make certain you supply the appropriate repellent. Make sure to incorporate electrical outlets, a refrigerator, a sink and warming drawers to keep your food warm until its time to serve. An ice machine and wine storage makes it convenient to have your cold drinks right when you need it. With your outdoor kitchen you will never want to return indoors.

Scale

It is important to keep the scale or size of your space in mind when creating and decorating it. If you have a small yard a large living space with oversize lawn furniture will look like too much and will take away from the overall appearance.

Style

Consider carrying over your indoor style into this outdoor area. It doesn’t need to be exactly the same, but it should be able to blend without feeling like you stepped out into the yard of a different home. Also create a focal point; the focal point can be an outdoor fireplace, a seating area or a water feature.

Seating Area

The seating area is an important part of this outdoor space, but what you choose will vary on how you plan to use this area. If you only have a small area you may simply want a bistro set to make it feel like an outdoor cafe. If you have a large space and you plan on entertaining you may want both a patio dinning set and a set that feels like outdoor living room furniture. If you live in a sunny environment you may also want to add a patio umbrella.

Lighting

Outdoor lighting is another important component to consider when designing an outdoor space. Outdoor lighting can be as simple as string lights or rope lights and candles or it can involve a variety of other lighting options depending on your budget and the look you want. Low voltage and solar lights offer an inexpensive way to light this space.

Wildlife

If you enjoy bird watching you can incorporate bird feeders or bird houses into this outdoor space as well. For many of us part of the fun of spending time outside is enjoying time out in nature with the plants and animals. This is a great way to draw some of nature to this area.

Once you have created this outdoor extension of your home you may wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.

Artistic Stoneworks is having it’s Grand Opening this Saturday and Sunday at our new location in Keller, TX (4700 Golden Triangle Rd Keller , TX 76244)  Many Stone Structures & 20 Acres of trees and Plants.. We will be serving hot dogs and hamburgers through the weekend.  Felix and David would love to see you there!

1. How many people would you like your fire feature to accommodate?

1-4:A fireplace is perfect for just a few people. It provides romantic ambiance and encourages intimate conversation.5 or more: A fire pit is ideal for entertaining a group. It provides 360 degrees of enjoyment and a campfire like environment.

2. Which best describes the overall mood you are trying to create in your outdoor living space?

Intimate:A fireplace will create a cozy, romantic feeling.Social: A fire pit will encourage storytelling, laughter and s’more eating.

3. Does your property have a view you would like to take advantage of?

Yes:A fire pit is low to the ground, and won’t draw away from an amazing view. Position the fire pit in a place where the view can be enjoyed.No: A fireplace has height and mass, and will become a focal point in your space. Decorative elements such as a hearth and mantel can be added.

4. Is your property affected by wind?

Yes:A fireplace is enclosed, making it easy to light even in windy conditions. Additionally, a fireplace can serve as a wind break that will protect guests.No: A fire pit is open and the flames can be more easily enjoyed. However, it will be difficult to light and enjoy in windy conditions.

5. Does smoke make it hard for you to enjoy a fire, or do you feel nervous or unsafe around an open flame?

Yes:A fireplace directs smoke up and away from guests and is much less likely to produce flying embers.No: A fire pit is a great option, but be sure to think safety first. Always be aware when enjoying a fire outdoors.

Here are ways to use concrete to build the basic elements of your outdoor space:

Decorative Concrete Surfaces
Start by installing stamped, stenciled or stained concrete patios and walkways to establish the basic floor plan and design scheme for your outdoor room. You can even pattern your outdoor floor with a permanent, weatherproof rug that adds visual interest and helps define dining and conversation areas.

Cooking
Something to cook with, such as a barbecue grill or wood-fired pizza oven, and countertops for food preparation and serving are key elements in a well-designed outdoor kitchen. Concrete countertops offer the advantages of weather resistance and versatility, since they can be formed into any shape you desire to suit the space. A coat of sealer will simplify cleanup by protecting your countertop from stains. Other amenities, such as concrete bartops and outdoor sinks with plumbing, can expand your entertainment options.

Hearth
Wood-burning or gas fireplaces, firepits, chimineas and portable patio heaters extend the enjoyment of outdoor living well into the evening while creating a cozy conversation area for people to gather around.

Furniture
No outdoor room is complete without ample furniture for dining and lounging. Attractive high-quality outdoor furniture also provides a smooth transition from the indoors to the outdoors and helps define the space as an extension of your home. Concrete seat walls and cast concrete couches or chaises, softened with pillows or cushions, can be used as permanent, weatherproof outdoor seating.

Water features:
If space and budget allow, installing a concrete swimming pool, spa, waterfall or pond can provide beauty, relaxation and tranquil sounds.

Architectural accents
Add elegance and character to your outdoor room with decorative details such as concrete statuary, fountains, landscape borders and cast stone columns.

Lighting
Use pathway and landscape lighting to add ambience, accentuate key architectural features, and extend outdoor enjoyment well into the evening.