February 27, 2019

The Benefits of UNIQUE Hardscape

When you think about enjoying nature, hardscape is not only the last thing that you might be thinking about but it could also be what you believe you are trying to escape. However, you might need to reconsider all of the benefits hardscape can offer. Not only will it increase your property value but it can also be the key to unlocking some great potential that your outdoor living space already holds. The secret is to integrate UNIQUE hardscape into your outdoor living space to help it achieve its greatest potential.

Hardscape involves the addition of features into a landscape that contrast with the plants and other vegetation. These features can be paths, walls, patios and much more and they are often constructed of concrete, brick, stone, wood or metal. But the most critical factor is that these features be integrated with care and vision by a professional outdoor living space designer to ensure that they enhance the space rather than deterring from its natural beauty and function.

Consider adding a natural stone pathway through your yard to an unused corner where you create a small patio. Not only are you adding to your outdoor living space but you are tapping into the potential of unused space. You could also realize the environmental and financial benefit of removing some grass which saves both time for maintenance and the cost of water. But you are also benefiting from the creation of a space that can be anything you would like. If the yard is a fun, safe and exciting play area for the kids then create an adult oasis for quiet relaxation and rejuvenation. Or consider creating an outdoor dining area with no electronics. It’s the perfect place to reconnect as a family and enjoy a meal and some quality time.

Do you love to entertain but just don’t have the space in your home to accommodate large groups? Consider building an outdoor entertaining area that is large enough to host family and friends for meals or just to hang out. A built in BBQ or wood burning pizza oven is a great center piece for a party or to enjoy as a change of pace for dinner any evening. Built in seating, a shade structure and a mister system and you are ready to entertain throughout the year. And an added bonus is that the space can double as a hangout for your kids and their friends. An outdoor living space is a great alternative to a room addition and at only a fraction of the cost.

Have you dreamed of turning your master bathroom into a spa but can’t justify the cost? Think about creating a private nook in your backyard for an outdoor spa. For much less than the cost of a bathroom remodel you can add a small patio and a therapeutic spa to enjoy year round. The latest models offer jets, lighting, sound systems and even remote control features to allow you to have a hot spa waiting for you when you get home from a long day at work.

Also consider the benefit of a hardscape area that can serve UNIQUE multiple purposes. Having extra patio space can be great when you have guests over or when your kids have guests and have taken over the main patio. You can relax and enjoy a second patio area which could also double as a splash pad for summer fun. The point is that properly designed and installed hardscape features enhance your outdoor living and natural spaces rather than destroying them. Contact a UNIQUE designer today to learn more about what the award winning UNIQUE team can create for you.

February 21, 2019

Don’t Forget Your Pets Needs during Your Landscape or Pool Project

Awaiting an upcoming pool or landscape project can be very excited. There are designs to approve and final details to settle such as paver colors or tile selections. But don’t let your excitement and anticipation cause you to overlook the potentially stressful environment that your pets will be facing during the construction process. Even if your pets reside indoors most of the time, the noise and chaos of a construction project outdoors can lead to stress and unexpected behavior from your pets.

Keeping You Indoor Cat Calm

Indoor cats are more likely to become stressed due to the constant noise of the construction project. But they can also become agitated when seeing strangers in the yard or outside windows or doors that they have access to. If possible, place indoor cats in a room that is furthest away from the construction area and does not have a view of the yard. Begin this transition before the project starts so that the cats are comfortable in the space and relaxed. Also try to remain on a normal schedule for feeding interacting with your cats. When the project is completed, start by leaving the door to the cats room open and allowing them to venture out as they choose to. It can take a few days for them to acclimate to having the run of the house again.

Dogs and Construction

Dogs can be a little more challenging during a construction project. Even smaller dogs tend to be protective of their space, including their outdoor space. They will not understand strangers in the yard, strange smells when they do get outside or the constant sound coming from the yard. In addition, the sounds of equipment can be very alarming to dogs. If loud noises such as thunder cause your dog anxiety then it might be best to see if they can visit a friend’s house at least during the day when workers are in your yard. If that is not possible then closing your dog in a room as far from the sounds as possible is a good idea. Also turning on a TV will create some white noise to calm your dog.

Safety and Normalcy

Another important factor is maintaining as much normalcy as possible with your dog’s daily schedule. Keeping feeding time and exercise at a regular time will reassure your dog. If you normally let your dog out in the back yard to go potty, it is a good idea to begin taking him out on a leash a few days before the project begins. You will not want to allow your dog to run through or explore the construction area due to the high potential for injury. So getting him used to relieving himself while on a leash will make the transition easier for everyone. If possible, begin taking your dog for a walk to a park to relieve himself the week before the project begins so that becomes normal and he is not exposed to the dangers in your yard.

If you are forced to take your dog into your yard on a leash then understand that the smells will be irresistible to him and he will want to explore even if he is on a leash. This is to be expected and can mean that once quick trips out to do his business will require more time to complete the necessary task. Be patient and know that once the project is over life will get back to normal. Also, resist the urge to let him run through the yard at night. Many items can pose an issue for your pet’s safety. Sharp tools will attract his attention because they smell like strangers. Pool chemicals could be in use, fertilizer or herbicides could also be accessible to your pet. And in the case of a new pool construction or hardscape build, open trenches could contain rebar or other objects which could seriously injure your dog.

Older Pets

If you have older pets or very sensitive pets, boarding or visiting a friend might be the best solution for everyone. At the UNIQUE Companies we are animal lovers and many of us have fury babies of our own. We understand your concern for your pet’s wellbeing and we will make every effort to communicate our schedule so that you can make arrangements for your pet during the construction process.

February 13, 2019

Clearing up the Biggest Misunderstanding about Saltwater Pools

Many consumers are under the impression that a saltwater pool does not use chlorine to keep the pool water sanitized. What they don’t understand is that a saltwater pool uses a salt chlorine generator to produce its own chlorine. The generator is inserted into the pool plumbing near the other pool equipment. Inside the generator unit are metal blades which receive a low voltage current and as the pools saltwater passes over the blades a process called electrolysis occurs. During the process the salt and the water molecules are separated into hydrogen and hypochlorous acid. Hypochlorous acid is the active killing portion of chlorine. In short, a salt water pool with a chlorine generator is simply a system which produces its own chlorine and eliminates the need for chemical chlorine to be added to pool water.

Benefits of a saltwater pool

A salt water pool actually has a very low concentration of salt. It is so low that your taste buds cannot even detect it. This low salt concentration leaves no reside on your skin or hair and in fact is less harmful to hair and skin than chemical chlorine. Another benefit is that the saltwater generated chlorine has no chlorine or bleach like odor. And finally, the salt generated form of chlorine is considered a higher quality than chemically produced chlorine so it works more efficiently to keep your pool water sanitized.

Why Isn’t Every Pool Saltwater?

Nothing is perfect and there are some drawbacks to a saltwater pool. The first one that most consumers discover is the cost of the chlorine generator. This unit is often called a salt cell and it has a life expectancy of 3 – 5 years. And that time frame can be shorter in warm climates where the cell is functioning year round. Pool owners don’t want to commit to purchasing a new salt cell ever few years as the unit can cost between $700 and $1,500 depending on the size of the pool and the features of the unit.

Another drawback is that the owner still needs to work to maintain other aspects of the pool water balance to be sure that the generator can function. So it really does not eliminate the work involved in monitoring the pool water. Finally, salt is corrosive even at the low level that it exists in the saltwater pool. So a saltwater pool needs to be equipped with special salt tolerant equipment such as ladders, light faces and diving boards. In addition to potentially damaging pool equipment, the salt can damage any natural or man-made surfaces that the water comes in contact with such as stone or paver walkways, patios or other hardscape features.

Two Ways to Achieve the Same Goal

In the end, both salt water pools and chlorine pools function in the same manner to sanitize the pool water. A chlorine pool functions using a chemical form of chlorine which releases hypochlorous acid where a salt water pool, and a salt cell, generate the hypochlorous acid directly. The end result is the same ion being used to kill microorganisms by penetrating their cell walls and destroying their enzymes and proteins. What is really important to consider as a pool owner is are you willing to purchase, store and add chemical chlorine to your pool or would you rather purchase a chlorine generating cell to produce the natural hypochlorous acid for you?