By Healthcare Facilities Today

Toronto, Canada – Fine Design Living (www.FineDesignLiving.com), one of the Greater Toronto Area’s leading boutique design and build firms and specializing in high-quality exterior and interior custom renovations for residential and commercial clients, is announcing its top cost-effective way to prevent expensive patio, walkway, and driveway repairs as a result of seasonal buckling.

“No matter what time of year it is, stone projects such as interlocking stone driveways and natural stone walkways and patios can shift and buckle due to changes in temperature. This is due to seasonal freeze and thaw cycles that occur every year.” says Braden White, owner of Fine Design Living. “Unfortunately, having to make repairs, sometimes annually, can be extremely expensive and time-consuming.”

With the extreme seasonal temperatures experienced in the GTA, White explains, it’s imperative that property owners hire contractors that are familiar with and use the latest construction trends. When it comes to enhancing the appearance of a property’s landscape with interlocking or natural stone, using the proper base material is one of the most important steps. Using the most advanced base material increases the strength, durability, and longevity of a project; cutting corners by using improper, inadequate or outdated base material can result in costly repairs.                                                             

“Over the years, there have been many different types of materials used for the base of interlocking and natural stone projects such as driveways, walkways, and patios,” he adds. “Only the most experienced and knowledgeable companies use the kind of products that ensure a project’s longevity.”

Fine Design Living uses “Ultrabase,” a roller-compacted concrete (RCC) that turns into a concrete base once compacted; this prevents the unwanted shifting of stone that can occur after just one season. Although there is a premium to use this kind of material, it typically pays for itself, as customers don’t have to worry about the expense of unwanted repairs.

“Hiring a contractor that uses an RCC base for stone projects helps reduce the worry of shifting or any deformation of a newly installed stone project. Unlike the base products used by less experienced contractors, using an RCC base can increase the sustainability of an outdoor project up to 10 or more years,” White concludes. “Those interested in a new backyard patio or other outdoor project should contact an experienced design and build firm like Fine Design Living to help them better understand the benefits of using an RCC base for their next stone project.”

Fine Design Living is a boutique design and build firm, specializing in high-quality exterior and interior custom renovations for both residential and commercial clients. From unique landscape designs and landscape construction to custom interior renovations, Fine Design Living is committed to providing the highest-quality workmanship, backed by a personalized approach to service excellence. Based out of Markham, Fine Design Living serves customers in Toronto and the GTA, including Richmond Hill, Thornhill, Vaughan, Newmarket, Unionville, Aurora, and Stouffville. More information about Fine Design Living is available by visiting the firm's web site at www.FineDesignLiving.com or by calling 416-817-6128.