December is the time of the year that many people decorate their houses and outdoor living spaces for the holidays. We love decorating for the holidays and have some suggestions for what you can do.
Lights
Lights really brighten up the outdoors this season. There are two ways you can go with holiday lights: temporary lights and changing your permanent lights to suit the season.
Temporary lights can be very energy efficient if they use low-voltage LED lights. These can be plugged into a photovoltaic cell that automatically turns them on at dusk and off at dawn. You can also use a timer to turn the lights on and off, but you will have to adjust the timer as the season progresses, and it gets dark earlier and light later. Of course, temporary lights have to be installed and removed, which means someone gets to climb on a ladder.
If you have a low-voltage LED light system to light your yard, you can probably change the colors of the lights to be more seasonal. You simply adjust the color on your smartphone, and voila, you have holiday lights. You can read more about automatic low-voltage LED light systems in our previous post on them.
Christmas Planter Pots
Christmas plants can if chosen carefully, brighten up the outdoor living area. Putting pots on wheels makes it easier to move them around for your holiday parties. If you have heating, your poinsettias can make a statement in a large pot. You can also use Christmas cacti, which bloom starting a few weeks before Christmas for about six weeks. Neither of these plants are cold hardy. They need to be in a warm environment.
Holly is relatively hardy and has bright red berries. Place holly shrubs near your doorway to greet your guests. These can be inground permanent shrubs or container shrubs brought in just for the holidays. If you plant them in a container, it helps to have the container on wheels so you can move it after the holidays.
We also like to include items like white birch branches, pinecones, and large ornaments to “spruce” up our winter arrangements for our clients.
Wreaths
Another use for holly is to make a seasonal wreath. Many people also use grape vines or willow branches. You can weave the green foliage into a wreath shape and tie it to keep the wreath together. Adding holiday decorations such as Christmas tree balls and lights will make the wreath stand out. Using evergreen boughs can add a nice smell to your wreath. Many people decorate with mistletoe but be careful because the berries are poisonous and may pose a hazard to children and pets.
Christmas Figures
There are a wide variety of Christmas nativity scenes, from tabletop versions to life-size versions for the yard. These can be placed in the backyard for private viewing or in the front yard for everyone to see. Of course, you will want to install temporary low-voltage LED lights to light the nativity scene in the yard. More details on such a system are mentioned above.
Winter Seasonal Figures
Driving around Kansas City, I see lots of inflatable Santas, reindeer, snowmen, and other winter figures. If you want to use these, be sure to anchor them well, so winter storms don’t send them bounding down the road. You will also want to light these figures so everyone can enjoy them. There are a wide variety of these figures available from big box stores.
Happy Holidays
We at Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping want to wish you Happy Holidays. We hope you get to enjoy some time with your family decorating and making your winter wonderland a special place together. If you need help with any projects, please don’t hesitate to reach out, We do installations of hardscapes, patios, and lights during the winter, and design many other projects for implementation in the spring. Schedule a consultation today, so we can help you design a landscape that meets your needs.
You might think that since Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping is a landscape design and construction company that winter is our down season. We actually do keep busy in the winter. In fact, we are running the following special for winter.
From now through Dec. 15th, any new installation contracts will receive a 5% discount if the contract is signed by the 15th. Any new design contracts will receive a 25% discount through Dec 15th. Use discount code “Winter Work” when you schedule your consultation.
Here are some of the types of projects that we work on in the winter.
Hardscape Installs
Winter is a good time to install hardscapes. As long as we have dug out the foundation before the ground freezes, we can still build retaining walls and paver patios in the off-season. These are items that do not require pouring concrete, so as long as it is warm enough for the Blue Crew to work, we can do it. Most of our hardscape installations are considered a flexible installation and are set on a base of open-graded aggregate. We have found that this method works best for drainage, compaction, and settling. If the temperature is above freezing for several days, we can even pour concrete for patios, sidewalks, and bases to set stone on.
Landscape Lighting
Landscape lighting is another activity that is not dependent on warm temperatures. As long as we have dug the ditches for the wires before it freezes, we can put in lighting wherever you want it. For some great ideas for what type of lighting to put in, see our articles on lighting innovations for 2022 and automatic low-voltage LED lighting systems.
If you have an existing lighting system, now is a great time to update it. We can swap out fixtures, re-aim lights, and add more lighting fixtures to your outdoor living area. Since the sun sets so early, you can really see the areas that need more light or other help.
Planning Projects for Spring
Everyone thinks of new projects in spring when the growing season starts. However, new projects take time to plan, and our spring schedule fills up quickly with overflow from the previous year’s projects and the rush of new projects that come in with warmer weather. We typically can get booked out between 8-12 weeks once spring arrives. Now is one of the best times to plan a new project. In addition to having time to think about what new features you want and work with us to design them, planning now lets you schedule yourself on our project calendar. The sooner you do that, the sooner we can build your new features. Our project calendar is already filling up, so contact us to get an early slot.
Remember to claim your discount of 5% for new installation contracts or 25% discount for new design contracts through Dec 15th. Please share with friends or family who may be interested in sprucing up their property. Use discount code “Winter Work” when you schedule your consultation.
Recently, some clients have inquired about why Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping quotes for landscape design and installation are higher than our competitors. Here are some reasons why we provide more value.
Experienced Team
Our company’s founder Andrew L. Wright (Andy), has 25 years of experience in designing and building residential landscapes of all shapes and sizes. He has a degree in Landscape Architecture and is a Certified Landscape Professional and Licensed General Contractor while also certified for paver and wall installation from the ICPI and NCMA. Andy not only has the education but also has spent half of his career in the field, gaining first-hand real-world experience of what works best for installation techniques and design considerations.
Our field construction manager, Henry Thompson, has 30 years of experience in construction, specializing in residential landscape projects. Henry leads the field operations and is responsible for quality control. He helps train our staff and manage the projects. Henry is continually communicating with the customers and checking on details of the installations while supporting our field staff.
We also have a full-time office manager, Tammy Panarisi, who is responsible for all the behind-the-scenes action keeping track of the details of accounting, human resources, fleet management, material procurement, customer service, and a whole lot more.
In addition, our firm has completed over 1,000 successful landscape projects in the last 10 years. Ask yourself this question, “Do I want someone to learn what to do while working on my landscape project, or do I want someone who has done this 1,000 times before?”
Good Business Practices
We follow good business practices. We are a licensed general contractor, and we work with specialized subcontractors such as carpenters, plumbers, and electricians who are also licensed in their fields. If we are not licensed to do something, our employees will not do it. We will contact the proper professional to take care of the task. Not every company is as scrupulous as we are.
We are fully insured. This means that if someone gets hurt on the job, materials are defective, any property is damaged, or anything else happens while we are working on your job, we have the insurance to cover it. Not every landscape company can say that because such insurance can be expensive, and they are competing on price and not value. We care enough to invest in the proper insurance to protect our clients, our workers, and our company.
Taking Care of Our Employees
Our employees speak English and are legally allowed to work in the United States. We pay top-of-the-market wages to attract the top talent and create a strong team that embodies our C.R.O.W.N. values of Communication priority, Respectful attitude, Ownership mentality, Willingness to serve, and Never-ending pursuit of our potential. In return, we give our employees a clear career path and pay for continuing education, health insurance, retirement benefits, a first-time home buyers program, and profit sharing. We don’t exploit people because we don’t want to be exploited.
Quality Materials and Professional Construction Techniques
Many times, clients compare our proposals to those of competitors without realizing they are different in scope. Because of our experience, our proposals are often much more comprehensive than our competition. We consider the details upfront and minimize extra work to be completed after we leave or unexpected change orders to come up in the middle of the project. We often use better materials and construction techniques to provide a higher quality product to last longer and lower maintenance. Sometimes, those construction methods can be fairly complicated to achieve the desired results. We strive to present a final product that includes all the details to make your new outdoor space livable and ready to use. Not every company offers a full-service landscape design/ build concierge service as a general contractor who can handle any outdoor design/build project from start to finish.
Relationships
Our commitment to our customers is to provide an excellent customer experience throughout the process of your design/build project. We will have your best interest in mind and act as a steward of your resources throughout the project. Oftentimes we have to consider alternative solutions and work through value engineering of the master plan to get to the appropriate solution for our clients and their budgets. We work through the design/build process, and we develop an enduring relationship with our customers that lasts far beyond the design and building phase of the project.
Throughout the design process, we provide value to our clients by not only creating design plans for their property but also helping them through the material selection process. We often even hand-pick materials with our customers at the stone yard or plant nursery.
We keep our clients informed throughout the stages of the project with estimated timelines and e-mail updates as we work through the process of design, construction, and maintenance. If the timeline changes, we will promptly send updates. We are always here and happy to answer questions not only during the design and build but also any time after it is finished. We help many of our clients with continual specialized maintenance and implementing additional phases of the master plan over time.
Compare Apples to Apples
Our experience, business practices, employee care, better materials, and better construction techniques all go into our proposals. Sometimes that means they look more expensive than our competitors. However, if you break them down, you will see we give you much more for the price. As a homeowner, there can be a lot of risk in hiring the least expensive service provider. Our passion, expertise, and core values of our team are worth the investment.
Fall is here, and the sun sets lower each night. While there are many ways to light your outdoor living space to maximize the time you can play outside; we like automated low-voltage LED lighting systems.
What Are Automated Low Voltage LED Lighting Systems?
These systems use low-voltage wires that are thin and less visible to power LED lights with 12 or 24 volts. This low voltage really saves on electricity costs. The lights are controlled by a smart controller that can talk to your smartphone. You can set the lights up to come on and off automatically when you want them to. Further, you can control the warmth and even the color of the lights, so you can turn them red for Chiefs games or other colors for other celebrations.
What Are the Advantages of Low Voltage versus Line Voltage Systems?
Line voltage is the voltage that comes out of the wall socket, typically 120 volts here in the United States and Canada. Low voltage is typically 12 or 24 volts. Here are some of the differences.
Line Voltage
Low Voltage
Use with most out-of-the-box lamps and lights
It needs a transformer and LED lights to use
Cheaper initially
Saves money on electricity costs
It uses thick copper wire
It uses thin speaker wires
Electricity costs are expensive
Light warmth and color can be easily altered with the controller
It can be automated with smart plugs for each light.
It can be controlled with a smart controller
Light is defused and less sharp
It can be automated and scheduled easily
Lights can be dimmed to 30 percent or on full based on occupancy or need, or turned off
Like looks sharper and more natural
Bulbs can last 6,000 hours before needing to be replaced
Components of Automated Low Voltage LED Lighting Systems
Here are the components you will need to install an automated low-voltage LED lighting system in your outdoor living area.
Transformer
The transformer steps the line voltage of 120 volts down to 12 volts. This is the voltage most low-voltage LED lights use. Transformers are rated for different loads. Choose a transformer that is larger than the sum of the wattage of the lights you will hook to it. For example, if you have ten 12-watt lights, choose a 150-watt transformer. Avoid the temptation to buy a transformer with a much bigger rating than the load you will put on it.
Wiring
The wiring for a low-voltage LED lighting system is much smaller and safer than using 120 volts. If your system will use more than 200 watts, you should use a 12 gauge wire. If your system uses less than 200 watts, you can use a 14-gauge wire. You can often use speaker wire for this application.
Light Fixtures and Bulbs
There is a wide range of low-voltage LED light fixtures to choose from. The key is placing each light fixture at least ten feet from the transformer and ten feet from each other. Don’t overload your transformer, or your lights will be very dim or not work at all.
You can choose lights and bulbs that allow you to change the warmth and color of the light. For example, you could turn your lights red for a Chiefs-watching party.
Timers and Photocells
Timers allow you to set the times you want your lights to come on. Photocells will trigger the lights when the sun goes down and turn them off when it gets light. Many timers can be used with a smartphone. Depending on the configuration of the system, you may be able to schedule individual lights to come on at different times. Our favorite timer is the astronomical type that will automatically reset with daylight savings time based on your zip code.
Our Favorite Brands
Making sure you use a reputable brand when buying your components is important. Here are our three favorite brands.
Pro Trade
Pro Trade lighting is a good choice if you are on a tight budget. The fixtures are durable and tough but don’t have the bells and whistles some other brands have. Pro Trade has a wide variety of fixtures available, so you should be able to find the lighting you want. However, it may not have the range of choices on lighting warmth and individual control some systems have.
Unique Lighting
Unique Lighting fixtures are a step up from Pro Trade. Unique Lighting has fixtures that you can turn into different colors. In addition to a range of fixtures and transformers, Unique Lighting has the SMRT LOGIC® Cloud-Based Landscape Control System. This lets you control your lighting system on your smartphone. You can even turn fountains and other landscape features on and off with this system.
Coastal Source
If you are looking for the best home system, Coastal Source is your brand. Coastal Source includes their own proprietary brand of smart controller that can control not only the color but the shape and intensity of your outdoor lights. These lights are durable and look nice anywhere. You can also get lights that are low profile, so they are invisible but light a specimen tree or other feature without the fixture taking away from the scene.
We Design and Install Automatic Low Voltage LED Lighting Systems
Designing and installing your automatic low-voltage LED lighting system can be a chore. Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping can design the perfect lighting system. Our Blue Crew can install the system and make sure it works just the way you want it to. We can even set up the automation program on your smartphone and show you how to work it. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and discuss your outdoor living lighting system needs.
Since we did our article on fire features last October, we have been getting a lot of questions about whether to use wood or natural gas when installing new fire features. Here are the pros and cons of each so you can make up your mind on what you want to install.
Wood-Burning Fire Features
Wood fires smell wonderful as they crackle in the fire feature. Unfortunately, that smell means particulates are going into your outdoor living space and out of the chimney. Wood fires are more polluting than natural gas. They also need constant attention to make sure the fire does not go out or start something on fire.
Wood-burning fire features can burn a lot of wood. That means you have to buy or cut wood and stack it somewhere in your yard. The wood has to be stored properly, or critters will start to live in it. It also has to be brought into the outdoor living area when you want a fire and kept dry during rain or other inclement weather.
Wood-burning fire features can be customized more easily. They can be located without worrying about whether there is a gas line nearby.
Pros
Cons
Wonderful smell
Must source and store wood
The wonderful sound of crackling wood.
It takes skill to start a wood fire
Traditional
Must be constantly tended
More easily customizable
More polluting
Produces ash that must be disposed of regularly
The chimney must be inspected and cleaned yearly.
An ember can ignite and start a fire.
Natural Gas Fire Features
While natural gas fires don’t have the smell and crackle of wood, there are very realistic artificial logs that are mesmerizing to watch. Natural gas is less polluting than wood to burn, and you don’t have to store a stack of it in your yard. You will be able to adjust the heat and flames coming out of your gas fire feature by simply turning the gas higher or lower. Natural gas fire features can be used where it is not practical to use wood, such as along a bar, so guests can watch it while they eat. Natural gas is also easier to cook with than a wood fire because the temperature and height of the flames are more easily controlled.
In addition, natural gas fire features are very easy to start. You simply turn on the gas and light it with a match. Your gas bill will increase, but you won’t have to buy wood. Natural gas fire features are easier to install than wood fire features, but you will need a licensed plumber to connect the gas line to the fire feature.
Pros
Cons
Less polluting
Natural gas lines must be installed by a licensed plumber
No wood to source or store
It doesn’t smell or sound like a wood fire
Turn on and enjoy
Must be inspected and cleaned yearly
Easier to install
Not as easily customizable
More efficient in heating area
Easier to use for a first-time fire feature user
Safer with no embers to catch fire
We Can Help
At Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping, we install both wood-burning and natural gas-fired fire features. We will be happy to discuss the pros and cons of both types of fire features as they relate to your outdoor living space. When you decide on the fire feature you want, our skilled Blue Crew will be happy to install it for you. If you are thinking of having a fire feature installed, schedule a consult today to have one of us help you design and install the perfect fire feature for your needs.
