Autumn is a good time for garden redesign. It works so well as your garden isn’t used as much at this time so the work can be easily carried out with little inconvenience. A great time also as all the work will be completed and ready for your garden to be used in the spring and summer. Landscapers are extremely busy and usually booked up with projects during the spring and summer so this is a great time to get a project booked in with them as they will have a bit more availability. Any new fencing may be a little easier to install at this time as any plants or shrubs in the line of fencing will be dying back ready for the winter making it easier to work around and wildlife will be less disturbed at this time. At C&J Landscapes Ltd we carry out hard landscaping which is the building part of garden redesign like patios, decking, brickwork and fencing but we also do turfing and artificial lawns. Hard landscaping can be carried out all year round including the autumn and winter giving you time to choose your plants for planting in the spring. So if you are thinking of a garden design in the autumn and would like to discuss a project with one of the team please send an email to office@eastlondonlandscapes.com or call 020 3633 6413 to arrange a free consultation. We cover East London and West Essex.
Paving Project, Chingford, East London
This paving project for a client in East London came via a recommendation from a previous client of ours. They were looking to install new paving in their garden. They currently had stone chippings and paving slabs dotted about the garden and wanted to create a beautiful space with a more streamlined look. During our initial consultation we discussed the type of pavers that they would like installed. We ran through the various options available to the. They decided on Indian Sandstone in mixed sizes in Raj Green. Indian Sandstone is a popular choice with our clients on our paving projects due to the wide variety of colours and sizes available. They had a step coming out from their property that needed rebuilding as it was uneven and unsafe. We installed the same pavers here.
Client Review East London
Just received this review from a client in East London. We installed composite decking and they are very happy with their new garden space. It is always so nice to hear how our clients found our services and they often keep us updated with their photos once they have started planting and using their new garden space. If you would like to discuss a project with one of the team please send an email to office@eastlondonlandscapes.com to arrange a free consultation and quote. We cover East London and West Essex.
Modern Low Maintenance Garden
A modern low maintenance garden, this was a project for a busy couple living in East London. They were looking for a beautiful space to carry out lots of entertaining with their friends and family. They also wanted a low maintenance garden as they were both busy with their lives and jobs so didn’t have the time for lots of gardening and wanted to be able to relax. Our clients loved the look of decking and softwood decking had previously been installed in their garden. They wanted to keep decking in the garden but were looking for a more low maintenance option. They wanted a grey colour scheme in the project and this is where composite decking fits perfectly. It comes in a wide variety of colours and is extremely low maintenance. Only really needing a sweep over to remove any fallen leaves or debris and the occasional spray with a hose. It is also hardwearing and feels smooth underfoot. To bring greenery into the space and also incorporate the low maintenance requirements raised rendered beds were built ready for planting. Our clients were looking forward to choosing the plants for their new beds and wanted to bring a holiday feeling to the space. The render used for the beds was K-Rend which comes in a variety of colours to match a project so that once it is applied there is no need for painting. To provide a modern look for the fencing we installed horizontal slatted fencing on all boundaries. We used softwood slats for the fencing which is more affordable than Cedar or hardwood and looks great too. If you are planning a modern low maintenance garden and would like a consultation to discuss a project please get in touch. Please send an email to office@eastlondonlandscapes.com to arrange a free appointment.
Low Maintenance Garden
This was a project for a busy family in East London. They wanted a low maintenance and modern garden. A beautiful garden to relax and entertain and also space for their children to play and have fun. Firstly we looked at the entertaining space. They wanted a large area for a dining table and chairs and they were going to treat themselves to a new BBQ. We installed a raised composite deck in oak with raised sleeper beds at the front for planting with steps leading down to a slate path. The raised sleeper beds provided a wall to divide the areas up and bring extra greenery to the garden. The family were excited when choosing the plants for this section. Composite decking is a good choice for a low maintenance garden as it requires little to no maintenance. There is no need for painting or sealing each year giving you more time to relax. It just needs a quick sweep now and again to remove any falling leaves or debris and an occasional splash with the hose. With the environment at the forefront of their minds our clients were happy to know that composite decking is a very eco-friendly choice as it is made from recycled materials. It works well in a garden for a family due to its great non-slip properties and the boards are smooth underfoot so you don’t have to worry about splinters. Composite decking has a long lifespan so when you have it installed you can take comfort in the fact that it will work perfectly well in your garden for many years. The combination of wood and plastic makes it very hardwearing against the elements. Composite decking boards are water-proof and resistant against moisture and mildew. For the path to the side of the garden we chose a grey slate paving. Slate paving is a good choice if you are looking for a low maintenance space. The paving is non-porous and hard wearing and is very stain-resistant. It also has good non-slip properties which worked well for this family who have two lively boys running around a lot. Finally a lawn was added for all the family’s games and activities. Also creating another zone in the garden. We left a bed running down the side ready for planting. The family said they would be trying to create a tropical theme with their garden when choosing their plants. The family were very happy with the space that we have created for them and are looking forward to planting up their beds and adding some potted plants to bring lots of greenery to the space. They are also planning a lot of entertaining! If you would like to discuss a garden project please send an email to office@eastlondonlandscapes.com to arrange a free consultation with one of the team.
Why Is Composite Decking So Popular?
Composite decking has always been very popular with our clients. We have found it particularly so this year as many people have decided to update their gardens during lockdown and have chosen composite decking for their projects. Why is it so popular? There are a number of reasons why and we look at some of them here. Maintenance Composite decking requires little to no maintenance. With many of us having busy lives this suits perfectly. No need for painting or sealing each year giving you more time to relax in your garden. A quick brush to remove any leaves that may have fallen on the deck and the occasional spray with a hose is all that is really required to keep it looking at its best. Life-Span It has a long life-span so when you have it installed you can take comfort in the fact that it will work perfectly well in your garden for many years. The combination of wood and plastic makes it very hardwearing against the elements. Composite decking boards are water-proof and resistant against moisture and mildew. Eco-Friendly The decking boards are made from recycled materials so is very eco-friendly. Caring for the environment is at the forefront of our minds making it a good choice. Family Friendly It is very family friendly due to its great non-slip properties. The boards are very smooth underfoot so you don’t have to worry about splinters and they don’t warp or crack. Colour Composite decking comes in a wide variety of colours and designs, allowing you to introduce your chosen colour into your garden design. Costs It is more expensive than wooden decking but these upfront costs are offloaded over time due to the minimal maintenance costs and its long life span. It is also said to add value to your property if you are looking to sell your home in the future. If you would like to discuss a composite decking project please send an email to office@eastlondonlandscapes.com to arrange a consultation with one of the team.
Latest Client Review
Here is the latest review from a client in Leytonstone, East London that we wanted to share. We installed new paving and built raised rendered beds with built in seating. I couldn’t have asked for more from Chris, James and Mario and the amazing job they have just completed on our flat garden. Chris was responsive from the beginning and understood the brief, which has been delivered to a level beyond our expectations. Our tired garden space has become a little oasis in East London to enjoy for years to come. The team were punctual, respectful, trustworthy and very tidy – everything you want in a professional service. 100% recommended. Thank you Chris and team!
Balau Decking
Balau decking is a hardwood decking. It is the most requested hardwood decking that we install for our clients. It has a fine and even texture and comes in a mixture of warm colours with golden browns, light browns and pale reddish-browns that suit a natural environment. Before it is used Balau wood goes through a specific drying process involving kiln-drying for 30 to 60 days to ensure that it doesn’t crack or warp. After kiln-drying the wood is dried in the sun for several days to produce its yellowy-orange hue. Balau is a Malaysian hardwood that is hardwearing and durable and is stronger than most other wood. It has excellent overall strength and weather resistance. Over time it will naturally weather to a silver-grey colour if not treated annually with a decking oil. Use a UV-resistant wood finishing product to protect the wood against the elements. Hardwood decking is easy to maintain. As with all decking it should be brushed over regularly to keep it free from debris and should be oiled once a year to keep it looking it best. To give it a thorough clean wash over with soda crystals and warm water or you can give it a light jetwash. Other hardwoods that we work with for our clients are Ipe, Garapa and West Red Cedar. We also install composite decking on our projects.
Latest Client Review
Here is the latest client review from a happy client in East London. We installed fencing and built a new softwood deck in their garden. “Chris and team from C&J Landscapes were amazing! They’ve just finished up building decking and fencing and transforming my garden in a matter of days! All landscapers in his team worked super fast, were punctual, the kindest folk i’ve dealt with also. Thanks guys for saving the day and quite honestly doing such a brilliant job. 100% recommend to all!” If you would like to discuss a project with one of the team please get in touch and we can arrange a free consultation to discuss your project.
Real Grass or Artificial Lawn
Here we look at whether to chose real grass or an artificial lawn. We all love to see lots of colour in our gardens and a large patch of green grass looks good and provides a great space for relaxing and playing as a family. A new lawn can really transform a tired space. But should we choose real grass or an artificial lawn? Both look good but when deciding what to choose you need to consider what the area will be used for, what the area is like for growing a real lawn, and how much time you have to look after the space. Since it was invented in the 1960’s artificial grass has become more and more popular and here we look at the good and bad points for both real and artificial lawns. Real Grass Real grass is better for the environment and produces oxygen. It is decomposable and the grass clippings can be used as compost. It encourages insects and wildlife into your garden. There are a large choice of grasses available and you can choose the right one to suit the type of garden you have. It will require more maintenance than an artificial lawn as it will need to be mowed regularly to keep the grass level down. However many people find it very therapeutic being out in their garden mowing the lawn so this could be good for keeping your stress levels down and finding the time for some peace and quiet. My husband loves putting stripes in our lawn! To looks its best it will require long term maintenance with plant feeds at certain times during the year and weeding. If you need to re-turf a small area it is easier to dig up parts of the turf and replace it with fresh patches. Artificial grass is more difficult to replace. It is more cost effective to install than an artificial lawn. However you will need to purchase a lawn mower. You can’t beat the smell of a freshly cut lawn and the grass is soft to touch. Artificial Lawn Not as good for encouraging wildlife in our gardens. More expensive to install than a natural lawn. There is lots of variety in price and quality of materials to choose from. The level of quality has dramatically improved since the days of artificial lawns that looked like they came from the greengrocer stands. Works well in shady areas that sometimes do not allow a lawn to grow its best. Artificial lawns are popular for small spaces and gardens that get lots of wear and tear. Personally, I find they seem to be particularly popular with families with budding footballers. There is very little maintenance required. It will need to be swept and rinsed occasionally to remove dust and odours. An artificial lawn doesn’t require the level of water consumption that a real lawn does, particularly helpful when the summer is hot and we there is a water ban in place. This lawn can cope with lots of foot traffic with very little wear and tear. In the winter you don’t have to worry about muddy footprints from walking on your lawn. Not so soft to the touch and they can store heat.
