Lighting up the fire pit is a great way to initiate an intimate gathering with family and friends. The hosting possibilities that come along with owning a fire pit are virtually limitless and only bound by your imagination.

Fire pits have become one of the hottest home accessories on the market and it is clear why. There are many fire features that you can have in your backyard. There are basic as well as upscale designs. You will even be able to increase the value of your property with the right fire pit and the right backyard landscape design.

How many types of fire pits are there? Well, fire pits come in numerous alterations but they can generally be grouped into four categories depending on the kind of fuel each pit uses. Below we will take a look at 4 different styles of fire pits.

1. Simple Custom wood burning
A natural replica of a campfire, but limited to a contained space, these pits provide an authentic experience complete with real smoke and the crackle of wood. Choosing the wood-burning option has several advantages, and one of the biggest is price. A wood-burning fire pit is significantly less expensive to design and install than gas fire pits. Also, there’s no beating the crackle, smell, and ambiance of burning real wood. Another perk is that you don’t have to worry about running a new gas line through your yard.

2. Log lighter
A log lighter fire pit has a round pipe with holes in that is located underneath the fire grate. Natural gas or propane gas goes through the pipe and, when lit, is an easy way to start your wood fire. Lighting fires the old way could take a long time. Just when you'd think your fire was finally lit, it would fizzle out and you'd have to start over again. With a fireplace log lighter you'll get strong flames immediately that will easily catch your logs on the fire. Just set the logs on the wood grate over the log lighter, turn the key to open the gas line, toss in a lit match, and the fire lights around your logs. After the logs have caught on fire, turn the valve key to close the gas line, and enjoy the crackling wood fire before you.

3. Gas fire pit
There are many different designs of gas fire pits, but they all work on the same principles. First, there is the housing that contains a gas line from the house or a portable propane tank. At the top of the fire pit is a large concave heat-resistant bowl. One or several burners sprout out of the bowl from below. These are attached to the tank underneath, supplying them with combustible gas. The bowl is filled with fake heat-resistant logs or coals to break up the shape of the bowl and hide the burners from view.

The more decorative bowls might be filled with fine sand, gravel, or river stones for a unique look, though these types of fire pits require mesh covers over the burners to prevent clogging. The pit may come with an ignition switch which, once the gas flow has been turned on, ignites the burners and gives the appearance of a real coal or wood fire.

Below are a couple of projects with gas fire pits that we have installed:
Project Spotlight: Mid Century Modern Landscape and Hardscape Project
Project Spotlight: Landscape Renovation

Keep in mind that while it is safe to cook over a basic propane gas fire pit, there are some gas-fueled outdoor fire features that you don’t want to cook on. These can add a lot of flair to your outdoor space but they’re not the best option for cooking.

4. Portable patio fire pit
Portable fire pits offer the most flexibility and versatility and come in a variety of shapes, sizes, materials, and can meet almost any budget requirement. They can range from small portable campfires you can take with you on vacation to full-size outdoor dining fire tables. The main advantage they have over a permanent one is that you can reposition them whenever you need or want to. You can even take them with you if you move houses.

Hopefully, our suggestions here will help you through your journey of choosing what type of fire pit is right for you and you will be happy with the fire pit you choose for years to come!

With our design and construction experience, we can work with any space, large or small, to build the outdoor experience that you and your family will enjoy for years to come. If we can be of help with creating the fire pit of your dreams, please don't hesitate to reach out to us give our team a call or text at (352) 378-5296. We're local and have been serving Gainesville for over 15 years. We look forward to working with you!

Most people agree that despite the old saying, things are not necessarily the same all over. Whether we are talking about clothes, food, or interior design- what is popular in New York isn’t always as popular in Gainesville, FL. This is especially true when it comes to landscaping, brick pavers, and retaining wall products and projects. The Master's knows this better than any other landscape company in Gainesville. Looking at the projects we have installed for our clients over the past 5 years provided us with some insights on which styles and colors are rising in popularity in different areas of our market. People that live in Duck Pond a different style than someone living in Haile Plantatioor Oakmost subdivision. 

Neither is the right or wrong style of bick pavers - just different styles.

When looking at which styles of pavers are trending, we looked back at the landscaping projects we have installed for our clients. We looked at several items to determine which brick pavers were the most popular for our clients. The trend leans towards smooth-faced pavers in large formats or sizes. Rectangular shaped pavers with a mixture of grey and tan colors are the predominant color blends for brick paver patios installed by our team. Of course, there are some projects that had varying products installed and varying style attributes.

SOLDIER COURSES
The soldier course is likely the most-used laying pattern for a paver border in our area. For this pattern, rectangular pavers are laid in a row, side-by-side. It is very easy to see up close, but not so much from farther back - unless you use a different color paver. 

RANDOM PATTERNS

Another trend in Gainesville, Florida brick paver patios are random paver patterns. They show no specific pattern because there isn't one. This hardscape photo also shows a soldier course as well.

OUTDOOR RUGS

Another trend in Gainesville, Florida patio pavers and hardscapes is utilizing outdoor rugs to soften the entertaining area. Here is an example from one of our suppliers.

GAINESVILLE PAVER CLEANING AND SEALING

Although Gainesville paver cleaning and sealing is less of a trend, and more of a service - it is definitely something to consider for your hardscape's longevity. The brick paver-patio craze started back in 2006 and has been growing strong ever since. Some of the 5-10 year old Gainesville patios are showing needs for repair, cleaning, and sealing service. Failing joints, unlevel pavers, faded color, algae and soil residue all lower the appeal and value of your brick patio and walkway. Here are some before and afters of our Gainesville paver repair services. 

If you are in need of help designing, installing, protecting, or cleaning your Gainesville paver system, please don't hesitate to call our team. You can rech us by calling (352)378-5296 or emailing info@themasterslawncare.com.

There are many benefits to sealing paver patios, but it’s not absolutely necessary. It really depends on your expectations of pavers and how long you would like them to look new. Pavers that aren’t sealed will be more likely to grow weeds in the joints, fade, and lose their color from wear and UV breakdown. Because most newer paver sealers include an additive that will harden the joint sand, it is less likely that you will have settling or shifting caused by joint sand loss, as well.

All that being said, yes you should seal your pavers. Most paver manufacturers will tell you that it’s not required to seal your hardscape, however, it is highly suggested.

What if I don’t seal my pavers?

I’m going to try and answer this question without being redundant. If you don’t seal your pavers, they won’t deteriorate and wither away. You will just likely have to clean your pavers more frequently and the stains will be harder to remove. You see, sealing was designed to protect pavers from rain and sun. Sealing can also protect your pavers from anything foreign that might fall on them – staining from oil, leaves, spills. Sealing creates an invisible layer on top of your pavers that repels water, oil and anything else you might accidentally drop, as long as you wash it away as soon as you notice it.

It’s very likely that vegetation/weeds will grow in paver joint sand if you don’t seal your pavers, as well. A properly installed paver patio with proper drainage will go a long way to prevent weeds, however, sealing pavers with a joint stabilizing sealer will harden the sand in the joint making it very difficult for weeds to grow. A lot of people are confused where weeds in the joints of pavers come from. It’s often thought that the weeds come from beneath the pavers and grow through the joint; or that maybe there were seeds in the sand setting bed and they germinate and grow up through the joint. Both of these cases are wrong and probably impossible. Weeds in pavers almost always come from seeds being blow in and deposited into the sand joint from neighboring weeds. If you have a lot of weeds in your yard or landscape beds than its almost a guarantee that you will have weeds in your pavers. Of course, sealing your pavers with a joint stabilizing sealer will help combat the weeds.

If you notice sinking spots or your pavers shifting, chances are its not a result of your pavers not being sealed. It’s more than likely a result of poor base installation or edge restraint failure. That being said, another leading cause of pavers shifting around is the lack of sand in the paver joint. The sand in the joint acts as a spacer between each paver. When that sand goes away, there are little spaces between each paver allowing them to move around because they’re no longer tight. If you were to seal your pavers with a joint stabilizing sealer, it would prevent sand loss which in turn could prevent your pavers from settling or shifting.

Can I seal my own pavers?

Of course, we’re going to tell you that you can’t, its our job. Just kidding! However, there are some things that can go drastically wrong if you don’t know what to look for when sealing your pavers. Some of the most common problems that we see from DIY paver sealing is a hazing or a white film trapped under the sealer. If this happens, the only option is to strip all of the sealer (which is a tough job) and start all over again. We also see pavers sealed that weren’t properly cleaned first. We use pressurized equipment to clean the paver patio. Since the sealer enhances colors, you may not notice a stain after cleaning but after sealing it could be enhanced causing the stain to look worse than it did before you cleaned it.

You really won’t save much money by cleaning and sealing pavers yourself. You will pay retail for the sealer, you’ll more than likely have to rent a pressure cleaner ($100 per day), you’ll need to buy new sand, buy paver cleaner and possibly efflorescence remover and not to mention the time it will take you. We’re able to clean and seal most paver patios and driveways in one day – we’re efficient and have the right equipment. It could take you an entire weekend or more depending on how large your hardscape is. And who wants to spend their weekend cleaning/sealing a patio?

If you’re interested in hiring The Master's Lawn Care to install or seal your pavers, please click here or call/text our office at 352-378-LAWN. 

How much does a landscape or lawn service in Gainesville, Florida cost?  ...or... How much should I budget for lawn and landscape work in Gainesville, FL?

This is always one of the first questions a homeowner has when starting the research process for a Landscape company. The problem with answering this question, though, is the fact that a lawn service or project has so many variations and options that it can be very tough for one to truly know what the price to fully enjoy their yard will be. Notwithstanding, I'll do my best here to give you some realistic cost ranges as to what most people will spend. (And remember, these prices are AVERAGE, and can vary drastically depending on the size of your property, the thoroughness of the company, the quality of the material, etc)

Gainesville Irrigation System Costs

First things come first, and before you can expect to have a vibrant landscape in North Florida, you must make sure you have water irrigate it. Most homes built after the 90's in our area came with irrigation systems, but there are still many in our area that haven't had one installed yet. To irrigate efficiently and effectively, a professionally-installed irrigation system that meets code, comes equipped with a backflow preventer, and utilizes a rain sensor is a must-have.

Price Range for Design/Installation: - $3,500-5,000

Price Range for a Service Call - $100-250 (depending on the type of repairs needed)

Price Range for a Bi-Annual or Quaterly System Inspections - $75-250 per service

Gainesville Sod Installation

Occasionally we'll have a client that just wants to have a new lawn installed. Although there are many more things that create curb appeal than just green grass, there are people who just need new grass to give them a lawn they want their kids and pets playing in. Here are some rough price estimates, with variables of size of lawn, access for equipment, and amount of preparation work needed. 

The estimated costs include:

• the removal of the existing weeds and dirt to make sure the existing problems and pests are removed from the lawn
• the removal of approx 1" of existing soil to make sure new sod is installed level with the current lawn
• application of an organic soil ammendmanet (milorganite) that helps kick-start the biological cycle in the soil to create nutrients and healthy soil under the new sod
• Sod costs and delivery fees
• Installation labor
• Irrigation Check-up to verify coverage of new lawn
• Dump Fees for old materials removed from the lawn

1,000 - 1,500 Sq. Ft. of Sod - $2.25-2.75 per square foot

1,500 - 3,000 Sq Ft. of Sod - $2.25-2.50 per square foot

3,000 and up Sg. Ft. of Sod - $2.00-2.50 per square foot

Smaller Gainesville Landscape Designs:

This typically includes: a professional landscape design sketch concept, removal/disposal of existing unwanted plant material, approximately 30-50 plants, mulch, and the installation of all of the above. This is typically for a very small postage stamp-sized lawn, or just the front or back of a normal sized yard. 

Price Range: $2,500-$6,000. (This, like everything else mentioned in this article, is contingent on a wide variety of factors)

Larger Gainesville Landscape Installation Prices:

This would include everything in the basic install noted above, but about twice as many materials and size of the design. Also, it may include a hardscape patio or firepit as an additional feature in the backyard.  This is typical for a full landscape re-design (front and back) of a normal to a large-sized yard. 

Price Range: $10,000-$25,000

Gainesville Landscape Lighting Pricing:

Our landscape lighting systems are first-class quality from the design to the fixtures. The 2 main problems with outdoor lighting in Florida are the fixtures allowing moisture into the electronics and burning out or the system not being maintained properly to keep adjusting for growing the maturing landscape. We solve these two issues with quality fixtures that have a lifetime warranty and with on-going service to adjust and aim the landscape lights with the landscape as it grows. We recommend choosing our premium LED system over the cheaper lighting systems because of the savings on electricity, bulb replacement, and their lifetime warranty. It may cost a little more up front over a home depot system, but will save you money for years down the road in headaches and frustration. We also offer Wi-Fi transormers that are controlled by your smartphone or tablet as well. 

Price Range: $200-300 per lighting fixture (including the transformer, fixture, LED bulb, and installation) with a minimum of 10 light fixtures. 

Gainesville Patio Pavers, Walkways, and Firepit Pricing

Patios, Paver Walkways, and Custom firepits extend your living space outdoors at a fraction of the cost. They give you the freedom to entertain guests and spend quality time together somewhere other than around the television. These can be done on a relatively low budget using crushed concrete or gravel as a surface, or they can be done intricately with pavers and travertine.

Price range: $11-17 per sq. ft., plus any retaining walls or firepit additions.

Gainesville Landscape Maintenance Service Pricing

Landscape maintenance services can vary wildly on pricing - depending upon a myriad of factors. Size of lawn, the frequency of service (weekly, biweekly, monthly), annual schedule (how many scheduled visits per year), service inclusions (mowing only, shrub trimming, weed removal in mulch beds), and whether that company is insured properly for your protection. The pricing scale can range all the way from your neighbor's teenager just cutting the grass to a professional lawn service providing a thorough and detailed service that leaves your landscape immaculate and follows up with scheduled lawn pest treatments and fertilization to keep your lawn looking the best in the neighborhood. The Master's lawn maintenance service includes our lawn health program with it to protect your lawn from unwanted pests. 

Price Range: $195-$350 per month

Gainesville Lawn Health and Fertilization Pricing

Lawn spraying programs are offered most often by chemical companies like ChemLawn (now rebranded as TruGreen) and other Pest Control companies. These companies are great at keeping pests out of your lawn using chemicals - but we have found they typically are not very knowledgeable about lawn health. The Master's handles everything in the Gainesville lawn - the design, preparation, installation, irrigation, mowing, aeration, fertilization, and pest control. We leave the termites and house pests to the experts in their field, and we stick to what we're experts about - and that's lawns. Our program includes weed control, pest prevention, disease treatment, fertilization, and soil amendments - all in one organic-based program to improve the health of your lawn. 

Price range - $42-95 per month

Although all of these numbers and prices are very general, I do hope this article helps you to have a better feel for pricing on Gainesville lawn and landscape projects and what to expect when you start going through the process. If we can be of help in this process, please call us at (352) 378-5296 and we look forward to working with you.