Fall is the Perfect Time for Fire Pits

Why You Should Start Planning Now

Students are back to school, fall sports have started, and autumn is around the corner. As everyone’s schedule picks back up, there’s one way to keep your family together.

Consider adding an outdoor fire pit or fireplace to your backyard. The benefits are endless. Spend quality time sharing stories with friends and family, grill an easy meal and roast marshmallows, or simply enjoy the outdoors longer.

There are many advantages to adding a fireplace or fire pit to your home:

Cooking

Are you looking for a new way to cook out? You can convert a fire pit or fireplace to create a memorable meal. Using a fry pan or pizza oven adapter, or taking advantage of open flames for grilling, makes a meal more fun in a way that involves everyone, even the younger kids.

Outdoor Entertaining

It’s no wonder why fire pits are so popular. The endless variety of designs and styles offer a multitude of uses. Some pits include tabletop surrounds, seats, and other extras. They can be incorporated into existing outdoor spaces or built around new ones such as outdoor kitchens, pergolas, and pavilions.

 Lasting Memories

An outdoor living area offers the opportunity to spend quality time talking and sharing stories with family and friends. There’s something special about gathering around a nighttime fire as the light fades and the stars appear. Make the investment in your home now and see all of the benefits it brings to your family.

Plan Ahead

There are several factors involved in finding the right type and style for your family: budget, permanent vs. portable, safety, local regulations, burning permits and type of burning fuel. Make sure you contact a professional to learn more about what kind of fire pit is right for you.

If you’re interested in seeing how fire pits and fireplaces can be incorporated into your outdoor living space, visit DiSabatino Landscaping’s portfolio here

Top Tips to Winterize Your Home

How to Protect Your Property from the Elements

Winter weather is on the way, bringing with it the chances of severe winter storms, freezing ice, and subzero temperatures.

Unrelenting rain and snow can wreak havoc on the health of your trees and plants. That’s why it’s essential to take the time to protect them today can make a huge difference in keeping them safe and healthy for the coming spring.

“Right now is the ideal time to winterize your lawn,” says Chris DiSabatino, President of DiSabatino Landscaping. “It only takes one weekend to protect your home for the coming months.”

Provide Plenty of Water

Water your plants. Even now, they need hydration to develop the deep roots needed to survive the winter. Evergreen trees do not shut down in cold weather. Keep watering them until the temperatures are freezing.

Nourish Your Property

Mulching adds another layer of protection for trees and plants. It helps plants bloom stronger and brighter as soon as spring arrives. Aerate and overseed your lawn to give it breathing room as it transitions into the cold season. This also helps water and nutrients reach the soil quickly and easily.

Cover Vulnerable Plants

If you need to protect less hardy plants, you can bring them inside or cover them with burlap. Newly planted trees and shrubs should also be covered. Frost cloths are also available for purchase at a garden store. Annuals are meant to die each year, so you don’t need to cover them.

Selectively Edit Your Surroundings

Flush out your hoses and gutters to clear out clutter. Winterize any water features so ice doesn’t freeze in pipes. Prune and cut back trees and shrubs to protect from breakage due to heavy snow and wind. Perennial flowers need to be trimmed before the winter season. This helps them conserve energy and protect their root system. Evergreens, ornamental grasses, and a few other plants can be left alone. 

Take the time and effort now to protect your investment. It will also help make spring cleanup easier once the cold season ends.

Interior Renovation Projects That Make The Biggest Impact

Innovative Ideas to Update Your Home

This summer season is the perfect time to look at ways to streamline, enhance, and add square footage to your home’s interiors.

Consider the stage your family is in right now: young toddlers, aging parents, empty nesters, or extended family members. How do you use your home and what would be the best use of your living space?

DiSabatino Design-Build is a full interior remodeling division that specializes in custom kitchens, finished basements, bathrooms, and laundry rooms. We also create home movie theaters and media rooms, bars for hosting and entertaining, and private gym spaces.

If you’re looking to upgrade your house, here are a few ideas to enhance your living spaces:

Multi-Generational Families

Recent college graduates, additional family members, and in-laws may need to live with you for a period of time. An interior renovation can help make both you and your guests more comfortable with additional eating and sleeping areas. If you need extra space, our team members can also build custom additions to your existing home.

Sunrooms

Today’s sunrooms are energy-efficient, with state-of-the-art technology. They can be outfitted with large windows, retractable screens, or folding doors. One of the most popular ways to use your new sunroom is as a place to host guests. From a large dining table to conversation chair seating, sunrooms add essential extra space.

Home Office

Working from home? More than 35% of active job holders work remotely, making extra space a top priority. A home office allows you to have the privacy of your own space without the hassle of a commute. You can easily transform a home office into an extra bedroom with a pull-out couch for guests.

Basement Remodeling

A finished basement can add 33% more living space to your home. They can be customized for additional basements, a home bar for entertaining, separate living space, or home gym. Because they utilize an existing area, they increase your square footage without requiring a major renovation. Remodeled basements also have a great return in investment with the value of your home. 

If you’re interested in updating your home, give us a call or preview DiSabatino Design-Build’s extensive portfolio of home renovation projects and custom additions.

How to Protect Your Landscaping from the Heat

Tips for Keeping Your Property Healthy

This week’s high temperatures and UV index could hurt plants and shrubs around your home. The best way to keep them from wilting and potentially dying is being proactive about protecting them before high temperatures affect your yard.

No matter how hot the summer, there are ways to counter the heat and keep your plants growing. The most effective way to protect them is to pay attention to the soil. Established plant root systems will keep them healthy, but the ground soil shouldn’t be allowed to dry and cake.

If you aren’t sure how to safeguard your landscaping, the following tips should help:

Water Early

For the most efficient hydration, water early in the morning. This gives trees and plants an opportunity to soak up water before the sun’s rays hit. It also prevents heat scald, which can damage leaves if the sun’s highest rays reflect off water. Make sure you give your property enough water. You can also hose them down a second time in early evening. 

Use Shade Cloth

You can find protective covers and shade cloths at plant centers. They offer partial and temporary protection to vulnerable plants that have been recently planted or are not faring well. If you can’t find shade cloth, you can also use nets with strips of cloth woven through. Just make sure you have enough air for ventilation. 

Keep Lawns High

In high heat indexes, resist the urge to mow your lawn too low. Keeping grass at three inches high helps the soil retain moisture, which benefits all of your landscaping. Also, wait to apply any fertilizers to your lawn during a heat wave. It will affect the soil’s ability to absorb nutrients.

Add a Layer of Mulch

Applying a quick layer of mulch to your plant beds will help protect the soil from drying out and retain moisture. Mulch helps reduce water evaporation, which is what you need during a period of high temperatures. You can also apply a layer of dry grass clippings to existing mulch.

Why You Should Consider A Fiberglass Pool

Why You Should Consider A Fiberglass Pool

And How Pronto Pools Can Install Them

The groundhog Punxsutawney Phil didn’t see his shadow this year, which means spring is on the way. Get ready for warmer weather with a new custom pool.

DiSabatino Design Build is proud to introduce Pronto Pools, an in-house, all-inclusive pool design and build team. Instead of dealing with multiple points of contact for a large outdoor project, every person that clients interact with is a member of the DiSabatino team. This means they are all aware of the project’s timeline, have the same attention to detail, and understand the homeowner’s vision.

Fiberglass pools have been increasing in popularity due to their versatility and cost. They can be tailored to fit any shape or style, such as a lap or plunge pool, and last 25 years or more. Before deciding on a fiberglass pool, there are a few options to consider:

Site Preparation

Make sure you have the right yard for a pool. Depending on the terrain, you may need to move heavy rocks or install backfill to level your yard. Trees and plants may also need to be moved. Consider the size of your yard to decide on the shape and dimensions of your pool. A small pool for dipping can be just as enjoyable as a large pool/spa combo.

Seasonal Timing

While fiberglass pools can withstand cold and icy temperatures well, they shouldn’t be installed in wintertime. Plan to have your pool built and installed from early spring to late fall. Since fiberglass pools are built off-site and installed, they may also have a shorter wait time than concrete pools. If you begin the project now, your pool should be ready to use by summer.

Customizations

There are a wide range of ways to tailor your pool, from adding slides to waterfalls and spas. Consider how you like to entertain and how you’d like to use your pool. If you have younger children, a zero-entry pool helps them enter the water. For those interested in outdoor exercise, a lap or plunge design could be the best usage of your pool.

Reassess Your Outdoor Space

The addition of a pool may have you reconsidering how your backyard is laid out. Now is the perfect time to add an outdoor entertaining space, paver patio or screened-in porch. A large outdoor landscaping firm will be able to design a patio, deck, or outdoor kitchen to create a seamless, integrated look for your home.  

How to Make Your Home a Haven

The interior remodeling team creates both small and large-scale projects. Each renovation is tailored to your specifications. They also partner with the nation’s leading cabinetmakers, countertop, and flooring companies to offer a wide range of products and materials.   

DiSabatino Design Build’s designers involve clients in every step of the design process. Using the latest in 3D software, they create a conceptual plan that maximizes space and incorporates your personal style. This allows us to edit any aspect of the project before any work begins. 

If it’s time to update your home, give us a call to schedule a consultation. You can also view our extensive portfolio of projects on the Design Build page here.

Your biggest investment is often your home. Make sure you enjoy living in it.  

The Rising Popularity of Fireplaces and Fire Pits

Why You Should Include One in Your Backyard

Fireplaces and fire pits are some of the most popular outdoor renovation projects, and it’s not easy to see why. What could be more enjoyable than stepping outside to enjoy the comfort of your own backyard?

Imagine coming home from a long day of work and relaxing with your family outside a warm and welcoming fire. The best part is, it doesn’t take long to design and build one.

If you’re interested in adding an outdoor fireplace or fire pit to your home, here are some options to consider:

A Defined Place to Gather

As the warm summer nights make way for cooler fall temps, custom fireplaces and fire pits significantly extend your time outside. Fire warms the air and keeps bugs away, helping make the area more enjoyable for hosting guests and family members. They also create a gathering spot for parties and events.

Hardscaping Options

From simple wood-burning fire pits to natural gas or propane with natural stone accents, the design of each project can be adapted to fit every yard. Esposito Masonry team members have been building elegant, inspiring outdoor fireplaces that last for decades. They carry a wide range of stone colors, shapes, and styles to accentuate your home. 

Outdoor Cooking

Not only do outdoor fire pits allow guests to enjoy outdoor entertaining well into colder months, but they’re also just as useful in the summer season too. And they’re not just for roasting marshmallows. Outdoor fireplaces can double as outdoor barbecues in a pinch as well.

Safety Measures

Whether you’d adding a fire pit to an outdoor patio or building a fireplace as a focal point for your yard, make sure to consult with a professional landscape firm to ensure safety measures are maintained. You want to make sure the fire is in a safe, localized area.

To learn more, visit DiSabatino Landscaping’s online portfolio of projects here.

Is There Still Time for a Pool?

May 10, 2024

What to Know Before You Begin

Now that warm weather has finally arrived, you may be dreaming of spending the summer in your own private pool retreat.

Imagine all the fun you can have with a custom swimming pool. Spend quality time with your family, relax on the weekends, or invite friends over for parties without having to leave your own backyard. An in-ground pool can make it the best summer ever.

Custom PoolsDiSabatino Landscaping’s Pronto Pools division is currently booking projects for mid-summer. Don’t delay in contacting us to begin planning.

Before you decide on the right custom pool for your home, there are a few things to take into consideration:

Your Property

The size and shape of your pool should complement the design and style of your home. Landscape design professionals will evaluate the best location to site your pool and recommend custom landscaping to highlight your home. Elevate your yard with a state-of-the-art pergola, pool house, or outdoor living space. Outdoor structures such as kitchens and fireplaces add another level of entertaining style.

Your Entertaining Style

Swimming pools serve a wide variety of purposes. You can include shallow areas for lounging, waterfall features for relaxing, or a large pool house for hosting events. You can also use the pool for personal fitness. A pool designed for swimming laps or doing water aerobics is a great investment in your personal health. Perfect for relaxation, outdoor entertaining, barbecues and more, custom pools are a fun and functional addition to any home.

Custom Accents

There are endless options for accentuating your backyard. A spacious deck with comfortable seating and a cozy fire pit brings everyone outside. Custom gazebos or pergolas offer both shade and privacy. Outdoor kitchens and fireplaces add another level of entertaining style. Strategically placed paths, fences, and LED lighting keep everyone safe while extending your time outside..

An Experienced Company

An experienced firm will factor in your interests, decorating style and the layout of your backyard. Working with these variables, the designer will create a comprehensive plan that accommodates your lifestyle while highlighting your property. Making the time to do your research first will determine the success of your project later.

Be sure to always review a landscaping company’s portfolio and ask for referrals from other satisfied clients. The right design and landscaping firm will make your experience as seamless as possible, helping bring your vision to life.

Pronto Pool’s team of design and installation professionals will help you discover the potential of your property. To view their portfolio of pools, click here.   

How to Choose the Right Kind of Stone for Your Next Hardscaping Project

What to Know Before You Begin Custom masonry creates an inviting area to entertain guests and increases the value of your home. While plants and trees are key landscape components, hardscape elevates the overall look and feel of an outdoor living.…

What to Know Before You Begin

Custom masonry creates an inviting area to entertain guests and increases the value of your home. While plants and trees are key landscape components, hardscape elevates the overall look and feel of an outdoor living space.

From elegant stone terraces and seating areas to waterfalls and artistically placed boulders, hardscaping is an ideal choice for almost any landscape.

What kind of stone is best for your home? We explain the pros and cons of each:

Bluestone

A distinct type of sandstone known for its bluish-gray color, bluestone is a very popular option for patios and pavers. It’s one of the most popular choices at DiSabatino Landscaping. You can use bluestone in privacy walls, outdoor kitchens, outdoor steps, or outdoor spaces. It’s an extremely versatile material that withstands the elements. 

Sandstone

A sedimentary rock, sandstone is often used in paving projects. It can be easily broken into smaller stone slabs. Sandstone rock walls or accent rock boulders are popular options. Many homeowners use sandstone as accent rocks around landscaping beds. Fun fact: it’s the official state rock of Nevada.

Fieldstone

These stones were given their name because they were often used to build walls along farms and field property lines. Instead of being mined in quarries, they’re often found in open spaces. They are often rounded and come in a wide variety of colors and sizes. Fieldstone works well as free-standing walls and raised garden beds.  

Slate

Slate isn’t just used for roofing projects. Because it can easily be cut into smaller pieces, it’s well-suited to paving projects. Slate tiles create a more formal and elegant look for your patio. Because it’s water resistant, slate is compatible near water features such as pools, hot tubs, and waterfalls.

Flagstone

Made of different types of rock, flagstone can be used in a variety of areas. It’s frequently cut thin and used for walkways and paths. The material can stand up to rain and snow well, making it a popular option for steps, wall coping, and stair treads. It can be irregularly shaped or cut into custom shapes and sizes.   

Today’s master stonemasons are creating custom designs that highlight your house while showcasing your property. Right now is the ideal time to begin planning a home project. Visit DiSabatino Landscaping’s portfolio of hardscaping projects to learn more.

Benefits of Outdoor Living Spaces

Your backyard is the ideal spot to extend your home’s living areas. Custom decks, patios, and pergolas are just some of the ways you can create additional areas for entertaining friends and family.

Outdoor structures define spaces and provide open areas for relaxing or spending time outside. They add style, increase livability, and enhance the usability of your backyard experience.

Let an expert outdoor living designer show you how to create stylish spaces that will make your home the envy of the neighborhood. Here’s how:

Unlimited Options

The location of your structure can provide both function and privacy. A covered deck or patio provides shelter from rain and protection from the sun. New

StruXure pergolas have tilting louvers that automatically close with weather conditions. A pool house allows swimmers to relax and find shade. Outdoor kitchens extend parties and provide food for guests well into the night. The list of ways to customize your project is endless.

Custom Design

Experienced outdoor living designers understand how to evaluate your property to create the ideal outdoor structures. They work with the existing layout and elevation of your yard to bring out the best. There are a host of options available when designing an outdoor structure. Cellular PVC or Azek looks like wood but won’t rot, split or warp. Natural stone will last for decades. Pea gravel, brick and pavers are other popular options.  

Superior Design

Before any work begins, you should choose a professional design firm with a superior reputation. DiSabatino’s design team members will guide you through the process, working with you to build a project that fits your taste and lifestyle. They offer a comprehensive 3D rendering of the project that allows you to visualize the design and modify any aspects as needed.

Expert Installation

Even if a design firm is using the highest-grade products, the success of your project depends on the techniques used for installation. Experienced professionals follow proven installation methods and anticipate any potential problems beforehand. Their expertise helps to manage your project from start to finish, ensuring you will be enjoying your outdoor living space for years to come.

DiSabatino Landscaping recently built a StruXure pergola in their outdoor pavilion, along with other displays including an outdoor kitchen, walkways, bridge, and landscaping options. Stop by and visit the pavilion to see the latest in outdoor design and creativity.  

To learn more about their expert services or view their portfolio, visit the Outdoor Living page here.            

DiSabatino Launches New Exterior Remodeling Offerings

DiSabatino Landscaping is excited to announce they will now be offering exterior remodeling services through their DiSabatino Design-Build division. Using the latest techniques and highest quality materials, our team members will replace and install new windows, doors, siding, and roofing to showcase your home.

Windows and Doors

Let natural light in and keep the cold air out with a new set of windows

and doors. DiSabatino Design-Build’s team members will work with you to choose the best windows and doors for your home, from a bay to a casement or picture window. We offer beautiful and energy-efficient options that provide enhanced insulation.

Siding

Refresh the look of your home with a new exterior. DiSabatino Design-Build offers premium fiber cement, stone veneer, cedar, and vinyl siding services.  Our experienced team of installers will remove existing siding and replace it with durable, low-maintenance materials that reflects your individual style. New siding doesn’t only look great, but also protects your home from water damage and the elements.

Roofing

Is it time for a new roof? DiSabatino Design and Build’s team of roof replacement professionals can install a new roof quickly, safely, and efficiently. We use top-of-the-line shingles, gutters, and roof materials to keep your home dry for years to come.

DiSabatino offers complementary estimates and backs all of our work with one of the strongest warranties in the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware area. Give us a call today to learn more about why you should use DiSabatino for your roofing services.