Riverstone, Calgary Landscaping and Hardscaping Project
This beautiful project in Riverstone backing onto the bow river came with a very challenging grade. We were able to achieve a cozy sunken Rundle Flagstone fire pit patio area in the lower portion of the yard. We utilized Expocrete Corner stone block to construct the engineered walls. We worked closely with the Geotechnical engineers on this as there was ground water to contend with. We incorporated Rundle stone steps cut into the walls between tiers.
Here are a few quick links to our other Calgary landscaping featured projects.
Calgary SE Landscaping Auburn Bay Landscaping Calgary SE Hardscaping Calgary NW Landscaping
What Our Clients Say…
“I enlisted the help of Urban Oasis after I saw the results of a neighbor’s yard a few door down. Mike was quick to set up our first meeting to review yard and deck work, and a few weeks later got to work on the landscaping. Urban Oasis started on time and ended on budget. The competitive advantage this company brings is in their dedication to do the job right and to pay attention to the details. They are also very clean – tools were removed from the job site every day, construction materials were neatly stacked and driveway/walkway hosed-down to remove any dirt or mud. It was always safe to walk around at the end of the day, or to let my dog roam the yard. And in the end, I loved the results! I highly recommend Urban Oasis…”
Grace C. – Calgary, Alberta
“Renovations are always challenging but this went quite smoothly and I am very pleased with the result. Mike is plain spoken, honest and easy to work with. He understood my vision of what I wanted in my yard and had wonderful creative solutions to bring it to life. They put up with my irritable neighbors and my few small project changes without batting an eye. Costs were laid out clearly and easy to understand. The project came in slightly over budget due to some changes that I initiated, and some unforeseen challenges, but extra costs were more than fair. I would recommend Urban Oasis Developments highly”
Elizabeth W. – Calgary, Alberta
“I am thrilled to have a beautiful backyard to enjoy this summer thanks to Urban Oasis. Mike was a pleasure to deal with and his crew did an amazing job on our yard. They were very efficient and made sure things were done right. I also was impressed at how they tidied up at the end of each day before leaving. I would not hesitate to recommend Mike and his crew to anyone looking to do any landscaping projects.”
from Google Reviews – Calgary, Alberta
Landscape Design: Excavation and drainage, retaining walls, Grading in the rough form
Landscaping your front or back yard in Calgary weather can be a real challenge. A yard’s grading and drainage can cause water to run right into your neighbors’ yard or your home. As a result of Calgary’s short seasons and freeze-thaw cycle, both the designer and installation crew face a lot of challenges. With an understanding of both the weather and the design process, it is possible to determine the location of plants, drainage issues, and hardscape features such as patios and walkways.
Retaining walls present an important feature in any landscape design allowing the desired changes in the ground elevation, holding back the soil pressure, and allowing proper disposal of the excess water. However, landscaping is also a common cause of retaining walls failing in Calgary. That’s why it’s important to build a good drainage system and make sure there isn’t any water accumulation behind the wall. To construct a drainage system behind a wall, it’s important to grade the site. In this way, hydrostatic pressure from the groundwater is minimized on the retaining wall. Thus, finding a good retaining wall builder who is licensed, experienced, and charges a reasonable rate is vital. Urban Oasis development offers a wide variety of styles including wood, brick, and natural stone for retaining walls. Our certified installers in this field are well versed in how a retaining wall system should be installed.
How landscape design works
- Making your dream yard a reality requires collecting as much information as possible during the design process. You may check the existing landscape design available on the designer website or you gather ideas from Pinterest or similar websites.
- Your thoughts and ideas will be incorporated into the perfect outdoor living space by the designer. During this step, you can expect to be receiving and sending emails back and forth from a landscape design firm, about material choices and colors of materials. Any changes to the drawing will be discussed in the follow-up.
- Finalizing the drawing and signing it off is a final step. Your project would be scheduled once your material and color choices are made.
Be prepared for different steps in landscape construction
Construction of retaining walls and hardscapes follows the same five-phase process regardless of size. In the first three construction phases, meticulous attention to detail is necessary. A landscape construction crew’s thoroughness is critical to the beauty and longevity of your landscaping project. They are laying the groundwork for the colorful, living landscape that emerges at the end.
Preparation of the site: Crew members mark an area where materials can be stored and create access so that equipment can be brought on site. Additionally, they handle any demolition required on-site to create a blank canvas. Some clients may be shocked by the first phase if, for example, a landscape designer would tear out a section of fence and built a road through their yard. It’s part of the plan, but the reality can be disorienting at first.
Excavation and drainage: Patios are prepared by shaving down the grades or filling in low spots. Trenches are dug for subsurface infrastructures, such as drainage, gas and electric lines, and wall footers.
Wall construction: The construction of masonry block walls and the installation of patios and other hardscaping features begin. Pavers and stonework are next on the agenda.
Grading in the rough form: Holes are filled, grades are fine-tuned and soil is added. Then the drainage system is completed.
Plants, lights, and sound: Now the transformation begins. Lighting and audio cables are buried, and irrigation is installed. Plants are brought in, lighting fixtures are installed, beds are mulched, and sod is laid.
Now if you are confident in getting your landscape designed, get in touch with us. If you have any design in mind or want us to show you the landscape design ideas, just book an appointment. We at Urban Oasis offer full services to cater your needs of landscape design and construction.
