When it comes to building a pool, remaining within your budget range is important. However, this isn’t always easy, especially if you want to design something that’s unique and meets your exact requirements. That’s why our pool builders in Houston want to offer some insight based on our years in the industry.
The first way you can save money and avoid any fines and fees is to implement the proper safety measures required by your area’s local laws and ordinances. Often, a fence or barrier will be required by law to be installed around the pool’s border. Those with children may also want to take more stringent safety measures.
2. Review Your Zoning Laws
Zoning laws and permits play a huge role in the construction of a pool since not following them properly can result in costly fines and even work stoppage. That’s why hiring an expert and having a clear understanding of what is and is not allowed is key. There may be restrictions to the size of the pool you can have or where you’re allowed to place it, so make certain you’re aware of these things before beginning.
3. Choose a More Economical Pool Style
There is a wide range of pool types out there these days, giving those on a budget more affordable options. First, you can choose between an above-ground or in-ground pool. The former is much less costly to install and maintain but might not last as long. Additionally, those that want spas in addition to a pool can choose between portable pools that are economical or in-ground pools. In addition to style, the materials your pool is built with can also affect pricing, so be sure to choose the option that best suits your budget.
4. Pools Increase Your Resale Value
It’s important to keep in mind that pools are one of the best ways to boost your home’s resale value. Should you choose to sell your home down the road, you can easily recoup your investment.
Contact our pool builders in Houston today!
If you want to learn more about pool installation and materials, or our landscaping services, the team from Carnahan Landscaping & Pools will be happy to speak with you. Contact us online today or call (281) 376-6868 to request an estimate!
It’s no secret that at times, Houston sees little rainfall, which is why the best landscapers in Houston have some tricks of the trade to help keep your property in good condition even during a drought. As one of Houston’s leading landscaping and pool contractors, Carnahan Landscaping & Pools wanted to share some of the things we’ve learned over the years with you here.
Below you’ll find some important and inventive tips for landscaping during the dry season.
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1. Cover Your Soil
One good way to protect your landscape during a drought is by covering your soil and important areas of your garden to help it retain moisture. Doing so increases its drought tolerance and ensures that when you water, all of that moisture doesn’t evaporate too quickly. You can add mulch or other ground covers such as wood chips, etc.
2. Reduce Greenspace
Although all of that grass looks gorgeous when it’s healthy and thriving, it can quickly become a nuisance to maintain in areas that experience less rainfall. That’s why reducing your landscape and replacing square footage with hardscaping features might be ideal for your property. You can create a rock garden or plant hardier items, such as wildflowers that thrive in drier environments to give your yard a great look and reduce maintenance and watering needs.
3. Employ Drip Irrigation
In areas prone to drought, a little water goes a long way. That’s why many choose to install drip irrigation if they want to garden year-round. This type of irrigation, unlike a sprinkler system, is designed to target water directly to the roots of plants. It can increase the watering efficiency in your yard. There are multiple options to choose from when it comes to drip irrigation such as drip tape, poly tubing, and soaker hoses.
4. Group Plants that Require Similar Maintenance Together
Another way to capitalize on water usage during a drought and also make lawn and landscaping maintenance much easier is to install softscape and garden features, such as plants, shrubs, etc., that have the same watering/maintenance requirements together. Not only does it make it easier to maintain a steady watering schedule but it also can help prevent evaporation.
5. Plant Succulents
Planting succulents can be a wonderful way to keep your landscape thriving during a drought and even provide some beautiful colors and flowers as well. There are many varieties and in addition to being great at storing water, some also make the good ground cover. For example, stonecrop is a hardy succulent with different types of varieties that thrive all over the country.
Drought-Tolerant Landscaping: 10 Key Tips 5
6. Native Landscaping
One great way to maintain a thriving landscape, in addition to being more eco-friendly, is by planting shrubs, trees, and flowers that are native to your local landscape. This is because these plants have adapted to your location over hundreds of years and are genetically pre-disposed to deal with drought scenarios.
7. Capitalize on Rainfall by Installing a Rain Barrel
To cut your water bill down during the dry season and also keep your landscape looking great isn’t always easy, but installing a rain barrel can be a big help. There are a variety of rain barrels out there designed to work with your home’s gutter system to collect and store rainwater. You can then use it as a reserve for drier times. Many rain barrels are also designed to hook up easily to a hose, making them eco-friendly as well as efficient.
8. Install a Patio, Gazebo, or Another Outdoor Living Space
Piggybacking off of point two, installing an outdoor living space like a custom patio or gazebo can be a great way to minimize the size of your lawn while also keeping your property’s usable square footage intact. A deck is also a great idea if you don’t have one and they can be perfect for container gardens, which are easier to maintain and often require less watering.
9. Plant on Your Parking Strip
If you have a sidewalk in front of your home, you likely also have a parking strip that sits between the curb and sidewalk. By planting drought-resistant plants here you can increase tolerance to dry seasons and minimize erosion on your property. However, it’s important to ensure that your local laws and ordinances allow you to do so.
10. Porous Hardscaping
Another way to make certain your landscape is getting all the water possible when it rains is by having hardscaping features that are porous. This enables as much rainwater as possible to drain into your soil. It will also help prevent flooding in flood-prone areas. There are a variety of hardscaping materials that are porous and look great such as interlocking concrete pavers, permeable cement, and asphalt.
Let us be your landscapers in Houston, contact us today!
To learn more about maintaining your landscape during the drought season or implementing a personalized landscape maintenance plan, Carnahan Landscaping & Pools would love to hear from you. We offer everything from landscape design services to upgrades, and much more.
Whether you want to add water features to your yard, install a new garden, or put down a patio, contact our team online today or call (281) 376-6868 for a quote!
If you live in Houston and are looking for ways to improve your outdoor living space, you might want to consider adding pergolas in Houston. Pergolas are versatile structures that offer a variety of benefits and can be used in many different ways. Carnahan Landscaping & Pools covers the most popular uses for pergolas and how they can enhance your outdoor experience.
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Backyard Entertainment Space
Pergolas offer a versatile outdoor living space, particularly useful for entertainment. The wide-open spaces created by a pergola provide a natural gathering place for guests to enjoy socializing or dining al fresco. Pergolas can be customized to suit individual preferences, with the option of adding walls covered with fabric or wooden planks to protect against the elements. Glass panels can also be incorporated to allow for natural light while minimizing the impact of wind or rain. The ample space under the pergola can be filled with various outdoor furniture pieces, from chairs and sofas to even mattresses for a cozy and relaxing atmosphere.
Whether it’s for hosting a barbecue during a hot, Houston summer or simply lounging with friends, a pergola can transform a backyard into a stylish and functional entertainment area.
Combined-Use
Combined-use pergolas are structures that consist of two or more individual pergolas joined together to create a larger, more functional space. This approach is a smart solution for homeowners who want to expand their outdoor living area without the need for extensive construction as it maximizes surface coverage, providing ample space for storing outdoor furniture, creating a dining area, or other activities.
By combining the pergolas, a much larger covered space can be created, providing more room for outdoor furniture, dining tables, or any other use. The beauty of combined-use pergolas is that they can be customized to fit the specific needs and aesthetics of the homeowner. Pergolas can be equipped with features such as lighting and heating to make them more comfortable and functional in various weather conditions.
The 3 Most Popular Uses for Pergolas 8
Enclosed Spaces
A common example of this is restaurants that utilize the combination of two pergolas to create a spacious and inviting outdoor area. By adding fabric on the sides of the pergola and installing glass windows, the structure has the feeling of a room while still being an outdoor space. This innovative approach allows people to enjoy their meals or drinks in a comfortable and protected environment while still enjoying the beautiful scenery and fresh air. With the ability to customize the design and features of pergolas, they can be used to create unique and functional enclosed spaces for a variety of purposes.
Looking Into Installing a Pergola In Houston?
We’ve got just what you need. Contact our expert team at Carnahan Landscaping & Pools to request a quote on pergolas in Houston!
