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How To Choose Outdoor Kitchen Appliances

September 14, 2012 by artisticstoneworks

Choosing appliances for your outdoor space can be a challenge.  You have to evaluate what you have space for as well as what you would like to have in your space.  Either way there are ways to be sure the first will not overweigh the other.  If your dream is to have a brick pizza oven, there are affordable options to get what you desire.  Choosing well priced resources and an air tight plan can get you your dream pizza oven in your outdoor kitchen.  Finding a quality low price item can be a challenge but is definitely doable, especially if you are willing to go the distance in finding the best price.

outdoor kitchen appliances

The same goes for shopping for appliances such as grills.  Are you looking for a gourmet kitchen or are you looking for an easy party escape equipped with all the right tools – not too much and not too little?  Quality can be had for a low price, be sure to use our resources to find the perfect appliances for your outdoor space.  With plenty of vendors and outside retailers, we can find you the perfect appliance.  Do not hesitate to ask for your dream grill – after all it’s your dream outdoor kitchen!

Think about the coordination in your space, where would you like all of your chosen appliances to go?  When you have planned your outdoor space with us, the next step is to take those appliances and make them functional.  If you have a large outdoor kitchen very similar to your indoor kitchen, where do you want the oven to go and how can you make your space uniform?  Think about the ease of going from one task to another in your space.  Also think about the ease of entertaining, maybe consider a kitchen extension from your indoor space.  Easy access between your indoor and outdoor space can have potential benefits.

The most important thing to remember about shopping for an outdoor oven or grill is to buy the product that will also last the longest.  You will want a product that can sustain weathering, especially if your outdoor space is not covered well or not covered at all.  A surface such as stainless steel or a durable brick for your pizza oven will ensure the products you pay for last longer.  The last thing you want to happen to your grill is discoloration or for your brick oven to fall apart over time.

Artistic Stoneworks can provide the highest quality appliances for your outdoor kitchen with vendors and recommendations on quality you can be sure we can get you the best product for your money.  It’s your dream outdoor kitchen, it should reflect not only who you are, but the appliances should reflect what you are looking for.  Whether it’s a gourmet kitchen or easy entertaining space, we have just what you need to make your life easier.  Be sure to use our resources and call us for an estimate today – your dream kitchen is only a stone throw away.

Filed Under: Blog, Outdoor Kitchens Tagged With: outdoor appliances, outdoor fridge, Outdoor Grills, outdoor kitchen

4 Ways to Help Prevent Retaining Wall Failure

April 9, 2012 by artisticstoneworks

Retainer Wall FailureRetaining walls are so much more than beautiful landscape elements.  They are workhorses built to restrain the earth behind them.  They need to hold up under constant pressure as the force of gravity pushes against them, or else they will fail.  Failed walls will sag, crack, bulge, lean, produce large gaps, or collapse.  Often times, the only way to fix a failed retaining wall is to tear it out and rebuild it.

The good news is that most retaining wall failures can be avoided.   Let’s take a look at 4 preventive measures you can take to help ensure your retaining wall will hold up.

1.  Drainage. The lack of proper drainage is the most common reason for retaining wall failure.  When water is absorbed into the soil behind a retaining wall and it has no place to go, the pressure behind the wall is increased.  If the water continues to build up, it will eventually push the wall out, causing it to bulge or collapse.  Installing drain pipes and using a clean, granular rock for both the backfill and the base of the wall will allow water to drain out.   The pressure will be released and wall failure will be prevented.

2.  Compaction. Poor compaction will eventually cause a retaining wall to shift, producing large gaps within the wall.   The soil needs to be compacted once at the point of excavation, again after the gravel base has been added, and each time backfill is added.  (Backfill should be added after each course of the wall has been installed).  The most effective way to do this is to use a piece of machinery called (you guessed it!) a compactor.

3.  Reinforcements. The type of reinforcements needed depends on a number of factors – the soil conditions, the type of material being used to build the wall, and the height of the wall.  The most common type of reinforcement for modular block retaining walls and rock retaining walls is geogrid.  Geogrid is a mesh-like fabric that helps stabilize the soil and secure the wall.  It is normally added every 2 or 3 courses.

A wall built in clay-like soil will need more geogrid than a wall built with sandy soil.  Likewise, a tall wall will need geogrid for extra reinforcement, whereas a short wall normally will not.  Timber retaining walls require deadmen, which are timber secured perpendicular to the wall.  Deadmen helpanchor the wall to the soil it is supporting, increasing stability.

4.  Engineering. Certain conditions call for a retaining wall to be professionally engineered before it can be built.  Walls exceeding a certain height (usually 3 – 4 feet, depending on soil conditions) should always be engineered.   Retaining walls that will need to hold up against additional pressure, such as a wall restraining a parking lot, should be engineered.  Local city or county ordinances may also require engineering for retaining walls.

Before You Get Started

Before you get started, do your homework.  If you are hiring a retaining wall builder, talk to them about retaining wall failure.  Review your contract carefully to make sure all the costs needed to build the wall properly are included.  If you are going to do it yourself, be sure to follow the installation instructions.  Check into local ordinances for retaining wall requirements.  Don’t hesitate to consult with your supplier or a professional retaining wall builder if you need assistance.

When building properly, retaining walls have the potential to last hundreds of years.  Investing in the proper materials and taking the time to build it right will mean all the difference between a retaining wall that lasts and a retaining wall that fails.

 

Filed Under: Blog, Retainer Walls Tagged With: Building Retainer Walls, Failure Prevention, Retainer Walls Contractor, retaining walls

Building the Best Outdoor Kitchen

April 3, 2012 by artisticstoneworks

Building the best outdoor kitchen starts with a thorough evaluation of your outdoor cooking and outdoor entertaining needs.  Do you have enough backyard space to capture your dreamscape? What’s your budget look like?

Ask yourself the following questions:

  • Are you looking for an outdoor kitchen to use and enjoy for everyday meals, or is it more for weekends and special occasions?
  • How many people do you want to be able to cook for?
  • Do you want to do your prep work outside or just the grilling?
  • Do you have space constraints or challenging obstructions to work around?
  • Have you planned for adequate lighting?
  • Do you wish to use the kitchen rain or shine? Do you need shelter? Are you going to be grilling in the winter months?
Building The Best Outdoor Kitchen

The best outdoor kitchen design should compliment the architecture of your home and the landscape. The entire outdoor kitchen and entertaining space should be designed to functionally co-exist with dining areas, lounging areas, cooking areas and pool areas. We tend to think of these as outdoor rooms and consider the flow of traffic between each of these areas within the design.

Share your answers to the questions above with your outdoor kitchen designer, and be sure to visit our showroom to get ideas (4700 Golden Triangle Rd. Keller, Texas)  Our designers are dedicated to helping you with everything from a small outdoor kitchen island to the most challenging large-scale building projects.

For a free consultation on your outdoor kitchen ideas, give us a call # 817.296.3078, we are here to bring your outdoor kitchen dreams into reality. You will be dining in no time.

Filed Under: Blog, Outdoor Kitchens Tagged With: building, outdoor, Outdoor Kitchens, Outdoor Living Areas

Great Big Texas Home Show

February 12, 2012 by artisticstoneworks

Come see Artistic Stoneworks at the Great Big Texas Home Show at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Friday, March 9
12:00 pm 9:00 pm
Saturday, March 10
10:00 am 9:00 pm
Sunday, March 11
10:00 am 5:00 pm

Cowboys Stadium
925 N Collins St
Arlington, TX 76011, United States

(817) 892-4000

stadium.dallascowboys.com

Filed Under: Blog

Guide To Creating The Perfect Outdoor Living Area

December 31, 2011 by artisticstoneworks

Have You Ever Wanted To Design An Outdoor Kitchen or Fireplace for your home? Well nows your chance to get inside secrets to designing the perfect outdoor living area.  With Artistic Stoneworks as your professional outdoor living area designer, you can get clear insight to tips and tricks to get your ideas flowing.

Download Artistic Stoneworks Guide To Creating The Perfect Outdoor Living Area

Click To Download

Filed Under: Blog, Outdoor Living Areas Tagged With: guide to outdoor living areas

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