Landscaping | October 31, 2024

BC’s Endangered Forests

Cortes Island old growth appears to be the next in a series of controversial logging disputes to plague the BC coast in 2012. Most, but not all, of the trouble stems from logging of rare old growth pockets still standing, and/or the unregulated logging of the private forest land created with the two million acre (3,125 sq.mile or 8,094sq.kms) E & N Railway land grant of the 1870s. (See The Great Land Grab in Hul’qumi’num Territory,). All of it is aggravated by the remote foreign ownership of access to most of BC’s forests.

Sierra Club BC’s analysis (Restoring the Balance, January 2011) shows that logging of old-growth rainforest ecosystems has seriously compromised species habitat and carbon storage capacity. More than two million hectares (7,722 sq.mile or 20,000sq.kms) of rainforest ecosystems on BC’s coast, mostly on Vancouver Island and on the South Coast, have less than 30 per cent old growth remaining and are considered to be at high risk of species extinction. Vancouver Island alone has lost more than one million hectares of productive old growth rainforest (3,861 sq.mile or 10,000sq.kms), representing the loss of approximately 100 million tons of carbon storage.

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Landscape Design | June 12, 2024

4 Ways To Ensure Your Landscaped Garden’s Pavers Look Good For Longer

One of the most common requests landscaping companies in Western Australia receive when discussing landscape designs with their residential clients is for paving. Whilst the local climate is such that the risks of continuous rain making lawns unsuitable for walking on are minimal, there is still a huge demand for paving stones and slabs to be included in landscaped gardens.

The two main reasons for the demand for paving are the practical use of them for walking safely and comfortably through a garden, and the aesthetic value the paving brings to a landscape design. Martin Cuthbert Landscapes understands that no matter what type, size, quantity, and design of the paving you have in your garden, there is a need to maintain them so that they retain their appearance for longer.

If this is not done, then the risk is that a combination of them being walked on frequently, plus the heat and sunshine which is abundant in Western Australia can cause pavers to diminish in terms of their appearance. Thankfully, there are ways you can prevent this from happening such as the four we have outlined below.

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Outdoor Living | May 16, 2024

5 Reasons Why Installing A Shade Sail Over Your Swimming Pool Makes Perfect Sense

Having a swimming pool at your home to sit and relax around or to cool off in on hot, sunny days, is fantastic, but we wish you to know it would be even better if there were shade sails above your swimming pool. If you are unaware of what shade sails are, they are large and robust pieces of fabric that are stretched and tensioned by using fixing points around the area they are located.

The name shade sails should give you some more indication as to what their primary purpose is and the image of a sail on a ship hopefully gives you a picture in your mind’s eye as to what they look like. Nevertheless, shade sails can be made in lots of different sizes, come in a multitude of different colours, and can even be custom-made for specific areas and purposes.

As for how shade sails would augment your swimming pool there are several reasons why that is the case. Carry on reading and you will see that we highlight five of them and in doing so reveal why many people are now asking local shade sail companies to design, supply, and install shade sails above their swimming pool.

Reason #1 – Protection For Your Family From The Harmful Rays Of The Sun

Whilst being bathed in sunlight is essential for our health, such as the Vitamin D it provides, the sun can also be one of the biggest health dangers. That is especially so when we are exposed to its UV rays for an excessive length of time where the risks range from sunburn to heat stroke and worst of all skin cancer. With shade sails above your swimming pool, they provide much-needed shade to limit direct exposure to UV rays for everyone using the pool.

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Home Design | March 4, 2024

Expert Removalists Enhancing Your Home and Garden Relocation

There are a lot of feelings that can come up when you move. There is a lot of emotion mixed in this sentence—excitement for a new start and anxiety about change. It is, however, a normal part of life in Australia. The path from one home to another has been taken many times, with over 40% of households moving in the last five years. It feels more like navigating through a storm to many people on this road.

Moving is one of the most stressful events in life, sometimes even more stressful than getting married or starting a new job. Surprisingly, almost a third of us find it scarier than giving birth! This harsh reality shows how important it is to smooth out the rough spots on the way to your new home, especially if you’re bringing your beloved garden with you.

Transforming Stress into Serenity

How peaceful your move is will depend on how you plan and think about things. You should see your move as a chance to start over, not just something that needs to be fixed. This is how to make the change as easy as possible:

  • Make plans: Start right away if you can. Plan out when you will sort, pack, and hire movers on your schedule. You can get through a moving maze if you have a well-thought-out plan.
  • Declutter with a Purpose: Moving is a great time to think about what’s important again. You can make new memories in your next home and lighten your load by getting rid of too much stuff.
  • Picking the Right Moving Company: Not all heroes wear capes; some are skilled, cheap removalists. It is very helpful to have a team that knows how much your things are worth, from the sofa in your living room to the roses in your garden.

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Landscaping | February 28, 2024

7 Common Mistakes To Avoid When Installing Artificial Grass

Whenever a homeowner approaches Perth Landscapes to ask them to create a landscape design for their garden, one of the most important topics of discussion will be the lawn. In the vast majority of cases, that lawn will be natural grass, therefore the main decisions to be made regarding the landscape design will be its shape, any changes to its dimensions, and its maintenance thereafter.

However, not all lawns are natural, and many homeowners are now opting for a landscape design with a lawn that is created from artificial grass. The advances in manufacturing technologies mean that the artificial lawns of today are getting closer to the real thing in terms of their aesthetics. One main advantage is the obvious one which is maintenance is reduced due to not having to cut the grass regularly.

One point that has to be addressed is that of installing an artificial lawn. Should you choose to have your landscapers do it for you, then you should be fine. However, if you fancy going down the DIY route and installing your artificial lawn yourself, there are several caveats. Most of them come under the umbrella of ‘common mistakes’ so we thought it would be useful to outline the seven most common artificial grass installation mistakes so that you can avoid them.

Poor Choice Of Artificial Grass Type

The first and most basic error is choosing the wrong type of artificial turf for your landscape design. Just as with natural grass, different types of artificial grass exist that will suit different needs and scenarios. For example, some are suited to heavy wear, whereas others are more delicate, and some are best suited to shaded areas, so choose wisely.

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Landscape Design | January 25, 2024

Top Landscaping Considerations for Low-Maintenance Gardens

If you’re trying to develop a backyard that requires little maintenance, you need to keep this in mind from the very beginning of your low-maintenance garden plans. Low-maintenance landscaping, say Intreeg Landscapes, is becoming increasingly popular, and there are numerous things you can do to achieve it, such as using mulch and a reticulation system or even artificial grass if you’d prefer.

Because of this, we compiled together a short list of our top considerations for creating a low-maintenance outdoor space.

Plan, Plan and Plan Some More!

One of the essential parts of developing a low-maintenance gen, any other outdoor space, or detailed planning. You consider every aspect of your garden and how much you are willing to need in the future.

Because of this, it’s a good idea to speak with professional landscapers to ensure you’re getting things right. They should know what they’re doing and will be able to help you put together the perfect design blueprint.

Consider Hard Surfaces

Many people who don’t have functional hard surfaces can be low-maintenance landscapers. Paving large areas will effectively reduce the maintenance associated with them to the occasional sweep.

Rather than planting lawns or gardens that need looking after regularly, add more paths and consider large paved areas with something like an outdoor dining suite. You won’t regret it!

Decking is also a great way to add hard surfaces to your landscape. Trex composite decking is low maintenance compared to standard wooden decking. It does not require regular maintenance, such as resurfacing and oiling when the wood gets damaged from the sun or rain. It’s also a great alternative for families with small children as you don’t get splinters.

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Home Design | March 26, 2023

Why Epoxy Flake Floor Installation Is A Job For The Professionals

Whether you are planning to have an epoxy flake floor installed at home or for one or more parts of your business premises, the temptation could be that to save yourself some money; you try to install it yourself. There could be many DIY projects that you have completed successfully in the past, and therefore, you are confident this will be the same.

Whilst it is not for us to doubt in any way your past record or your DIY skills, we would ask you to pause for a moment and think about what it takes to install an epoxy floor.

First, while they may start as liquids, applying them is not the same as painting a ceiling, and that is assuming that you have got the balance between the chemicals exactly right. There is also the work required to ensure the concrete floor underneath is prepped exactly as it needs to be in terms of evenness and to make its adhesive qualities optimal.

If you were to even get beyond laying it, there is no small matter of the flake distribution. Many amateurs think that you do this as though scattering birdseed in the park for the pigeons, but soon realise it is not as they end up with barren areas and others with mounds of flakes.

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Home Design | August 7, 2020

What to Consider When Planning Your New Kitchen Install

You may know that your current kitchen no longer suits your needs and that new kitchens are those you admire in other people’s homes, but what gets you from A to B? How do you plan for a new kitchen installation to make sure the entire process goes smoothly? Some of the following information may be helpful.

Identify What Your Current Kitchen Lacks

Even before you start researching new kitchens, identify what you don’t like about your current kitchen. You may then be able to avoid design issues in your final design.

It might lack storage or bench space, or it might be too closed off from the rest of the home. Even the shape may not suit your needs. Once you have the issues written down, you can move onto the research phase.

Research Your Options

Because there are so many kitchen designs available, it can take some time to determine the features you like or need in your new kitchen. A cabinet maker may be able to assist with this process, especially if you are hiring one to design a new kitchen for you.

At the research phase, you need to determine the style and colouring you prefer and even the materials you’d like, such as stone, concrete, tiles, and quartz.

It also helps to consider your kitchen’s shape to ensure it’s going to suit your space and the flow of your home. Some people prefer the simplicity of double galley or island, while others prefer the defining lines of U-shape and L-shape kitchens. If you work with professional cabinet makers, they can sketch out a shape to best suit your floorplan.

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Outdoor Living | April 20, 2019

Five of the Best Pot Plants for an Outdoor Oasis

To many people, the kitchen is the most important room in the house. After all, it’s the place where the family gathers to raid the fridge and catch up in the morning for breakfast. However, the outdoor patio area or balcony, with garden pots, nature, and spectacular views, is coming in at a close second.

Many people are beginning to see the value in creating exceptional indoor-outdoor flow with their home. They want a property that’s as comfortable outside as it is indoors. Most importantly, they want an outdoor oasis with an emphasis on nature so that they can step out into a paradise on their doorstep. These plants might be able to help achieve that look of a global gardening.

Silver Lady Fern

Landscapers advise that when you start looking for plants to add to your garden pots gracing your balcony, a silver lady fern should be one of the first to consider. Even though it seems quite pretty and precious, it’s one of the more robust plants for an oasis environment. It can handle adverse weather conditions while standing out from the crowd with its lush fronds.

Imperial Bromeliad

If you have plenty of space and want to fill it with plants, garden pots, and nature for as far as the eye can see, then there are few better plants to start with than the imperial bromeliad. This plant is a real beauty and spans at least two metres wide.

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Swimming Pools | February 12, 2019

A Look At The Different Glass Pool Fencing Styles

Glass pool fencing is becoming increasingly popular throughout Australia. As a strong, sustainable fencing choice, people are choosing glass because it looks great, it’s affordable and it’s arguably the best pool fencing choice on the market today.

However, there are a few different styles that you will need to choose between if you decide to build a pool fence out of glass. Each style has its own pros and cons, and it’s especially important to think about which one is the most suited to your needs.

With this in mind, let’s have at the two most common glass fencing styles:

Frameless Glass Fencing

Frameless glass pool fencing involves the use of simple glass panels, which are secured to the ground with inconspicuous stainless steel fittings. It’s a great choice when it comes to gaining a clear, unobstructed view of your swimming pool (from the outside) and other surrounding areas (from the inside), and has become the most popular choice as far as glass balustrading or fencing styles go.

When built right, frameless glass pool fences will give your home a high-class look due to their exquisite appearance and beautiful finish. The installation of frameless glass fences is simple, which means that costs can be kept low in this area. All in all, frameless pool fencing is something that you should definitely consider if you’re thinking about building a new pool fence.

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Landscaping | December 20, 2018

Landscaping on a Budget

Your imagination might say “mansion and Olympic swimming pool,” but your budget might say “family home with paddling pool”. If that’s the case, then you need to get smart with landscaping. It’s obvious your budget won’t stretch to a full palace of grandeur, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still have a beautiful backyard that’s eye-catching and stunning. Here’s how to landscape on a budget.

Ask an Expert

It might seem counter-productive to spend money on expert help, but it will be worth it in the long-run. An expert landscaper can tell you where you can cut costs, where it’s best not to, and how to enhance the overall appeal of your property. If you’re not that experienced when it comes to gardening, then their advice can be invaluable.

Go Vertical

Landscaping a large area can be quite expensive. You have to use more plants, more materials, and more space. If you lack space or money, then planting upward can be an excellent way to solve the problem. Make use of old wooden fences and ladders, create hangers out of paint cans, and buy plants that will cling onto items and grow upward. You’ll have a natural garden paradise, but without all the cost.

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Landscape Design | November 29, 2018

Natural vs Reconstituted Limestone Blocks – Which Should I Use?

Building a new home or renovating an existing one can be a very exciting process. However, with the excitement comes a lot of stress and difficult decisions. You will need to decide what sort of materials you’re going to build with, what sort of landscaping you want to do and how you’re going to do it.

Limestone blocks from suppliers such as Limestone Blocks Perth are very popular when it comes to landscaping and building things like retaining walls and fences. They look great, they are tough and durable and they are very easy to work with. There are two types of limestone blocks, and it can be hard to choose between them.

Reconstituted vs Natural

The two types of limestone blocks on the market are reconstituted blocks and naturally quarried blocks. They both have different features and use cases, but they have one thing in common – they’re both based on limestone.

Reconstituted limestone blocks are stronger than naturally quarried blocks. They are made by mixing crushed limestone with cement and setting the resulting mixture into blocks of the desired size and shape. They usually have a relatively uniform appearance, and they’re useful for things like retaining walls and stairs.

Naturally quarried blocks are exactly what their name makes them sound like – limestone blocks of different sizes that are cut straight from the ground. They usually aren’t as strong as reconstituted blocks, but they have more natural variation and texture, making them more aesthetically pleasing for some people.

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Landscape Design | June 2, 2018

Landscaping Ideas to Compliment Your New Lawn

If you have a new house, you might be looking at developing your yard area. One of your first considerations will probably be the size and shape of your lawn. Once you have laid some new roll-on turf your yard may still look a bit unfinished, and you might decide to add a few more landscaping ideas.

While the shape and size of your lawn is probably the most important consideration, you should think about what other features you want your yard to have. Things like rock walls or water fountains can be interesting additions to your garden, and you should definitely consider adding some edible plants or fruit trees.

Some great landscaping ideas for a perfect new garden include:

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Fencing | March 26, 2018

Fencing Needs for a Business

The fencing needs for a business are usually different than for residential areas.  Security is usually the number one concern when it comes to any business, especially if it is in an area where the light is dim or non-existent and there are not many people around after closing, as happens with many businesses in industrial areas.

So looks are not as important as strength and height, both of which make a fence very secure according to fencing contractors. However, if your business is one where many customers must come to, then looks may be important. People like to do business in a pleasant, tidy place that welcomes them. A huge fence with a roll of razor wire along the top is not the kind of place they would feel welcome in since it would most likely make them think of a gaol.

Such a fence can be expected in an industrial area, but many businesses are found in residential areas or even the CBD, so they need a fence that looks good while still providing a good level of security. There are several types of fences that look good while still keeping out trespassers.

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Landscape Design | January 3, 2018

5 Reasons Why You Should Include a Pool in Your Garden Design

When it comes to landscape design, your options are almost endless. There are many, many things that you can include to improve both your life and the lives of your friends and family. One of the most popular garden design features for people living in hot climates is the swimming pool.

Pools are a great place for socialising, relaxing, and cooling off in the summer months. If you have the space and budget for a pool, you should definitely consider installing one in your new garden. Some of the reasons why you should add a pool renovation to your landscape design include:

  1. Pools are great for outdoor activities:

If you are an outdoorsy person who enjoys spending time in the sun, then a pool will be perfect for you. They are a great place for entertaining visitors, for socialising with friends, or even for having some fun with your pets. If you enjoy outdoor activities, then make sure that you include a pool in your landscape design!

  1. Pools can create their own microclimates:

Depending on how you set it up, a backyard pool can help keep the whole area cooler. Many people plant a lush garden around their pool, which often contributed to shading the area and keeping you out of direct sunlight. Others choose to cover their pool with some sort of shade structure. In this case, the shading will help keep the surrounding air fresh and cool, helping you relax on a warm summer’s day. Note that you shouldn’t plant things too close to the pool, of they may intrude and make the water dirty.

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