How is a pondless waterfall possible? One of the many cool things about a pondless waterfall is that it does not need a standing or flowing body of water in order to work. It’s not a miracle, but the clever use of a pump and an underground reservoir. There actually is a pond, but it is hidden underground where you don’t have to worry about the hassle of keeping a body of water clean, and you do not need a lot of extra room for a pond or other body of water taking up most of your lawn.
Pondless Waterfalls in Action
The process for a pondless waterfall, while it may look miraculous in some instances, is really very simple. A hole is created wherever the waterfall is to be placed, and this is lined with gravel and concrete in order to hold water so that it does not escape underground. This has the added benefit of ensuring the water evaporates at a much slower rate meaning even in desert areas you’ll rarely need to add water. This underground reservoir also allows for overflow, so you don’t need to worry about heavy rains in any way affecting your waterfall. Next the reservoir is covered with a solid material that will withstand weight, but which has crevices that will allow water but not gravel and other materials to get through. Next this is covered with some material, stones or gravel in most instances. A pump is inserted in the reservoir and the waterfall or trickling stream is built around where the pump is located. This pump recycles water constantly, flowing up through the pump, down the waterfall, soaking back through the stone or gravel and back into the reservoir. The size of the reservoir needed only depends on the how large you want your waterfall.
Different kinds of pondless waterfalls available
One option for a pondless waterfall is to do it yourself. There are a number of kits available at home improvement stores and other retailers. This will require a bit of work on the buyer’s part and your options are going to be limited to what is available at the store you go to. In addition most of these models are a bit smaller.
More common and offering larger and more versatile options are pondless waterfalls installed by a contractor or home improvement experts. Here your options are nearly limitless. You can choose come up with your very own style, choose from options similar to those in the contractors portfolio or come up with some combination from what you see and your or a designers ideas.
Advantages of getting a pondless waterfall
1. First this is a very inexpensive decoration long term. Because the standing water is underground there is no upkeep or work involved, and the only real long term expense is running the pump, and water pumps are very cheap in most cases.
2. A pondless waterfall can fit just about anywhere you would like. This is great if you have a smaller yard, or you just don’t want a pond taking up a lot of space in your lawn.
Are You Looking for a Cabana in Long Island?
The term cabana stems from a kind of hut often used by indigenous peoples of different tropical zones. This is where the modern term come from. These cabanas usually stood alone or may have also been leaned against a tree, hill or other structure. This type of cabana generally had a thatched roof, usually grass, strung together in such a way to offer surprising protection from the rain. These cabanas were not as open as modern cabanas, usually with walls made of wood or clay and a small opening used as a “door” which was either left bare and open or which would be covered with some sort of cloth. These cabanas, when well made, offered very descent protection in tropical areas with moderate temperatures, they were however of no use in colder climates or areas with high winds and other detrimental weather conditions. While this was the inspiration for modern cabanas, today they bare little semblance to the originals, outside of an often thatched roof.
About today’s cabanas
Cabanas today are usually found around pools at hotels, public swimming areas and the like. They may also be found at some tiki or tropical bars or at some clubs. These cabanas may be for show, or sometimes they may be rented out by groups, and they often come with other services when in public areas. At pools they offer protection and comfort from the sun and may contain lounge chairs and other areas to sit and relax. Cabanas are also becoming popular in homes, either next to a pool area or other gathering place in order to offer a little protection from the sun while you enjoy the outdoors.
Cabanas may either be temporary structures, easy to move and rearrange at public places, or as more permanent structures. They are found in all kinds of materials, from wood to steel, aluminum and other materials for the frame, and the roof can be made from clothe or it may be a thatched material similar to the original cabanas, but made of more durable and weatherproofed materials.
Cabana’s vs. Other Outdoor Structures
From gazebos to awnings and pagodas you have a lot of options for outdoor structures offering some shelter from the wind or rain. So what is the primary difference between a cabana and these other structures? Cabanas by comparison are usually more open than these other options. They are often less permanent as well, and some cabanas can be taken down seasonally than put up again for the summer months—though some cabanas may be permanent structures. While the materials can vary, usually a cabana will have a more tropical feel, or a lighter look when made of cloth.
Why choose a cabana for the home?
1. Even if you don’t have a pool a cabana is a great place to relax or hang out with friends and family. The open nature lets you really enjoy your outdoors, but still offers just enough shelter from the sun or from the rain.
2. They are relatively inexpensive to install when compared to other stand alone outdoor structures you have to choose from.
Feel free to take a look at our selection of Custom Cabanas.
Learn About Available Water Features for Your Long Island Home
There are all kinds of different water features which can be installed in any home. The advantages of these are many and varied from improving the general look of your backyard or garden, to actually increasing your home’s value. Perhaps the primary reason most choose a specific water feature for their home and their backyard is the relaxing nature of any water feature. Flowing water, whether an installed creak, pond complete with fish, water fountain or any other type of water feature, creates a soothing and serene atmosphere. If you love spending time in your backyard, love to garden, want to increase the value of your home or regularly entertain guests than installing water features is a fantastic idea.
How much will my amazing water feature cost me?
Price varies quite a bit depending on the sort of water feature you would like to install, the materials used, the contractor you hire and the complexity of the project. In other instances where a waterfall may appear to be a more complex project, it may actually be less expensive than other types of water features.
The other thing to consider when you are choosing the type of water feature you want, and how much you would like to spend on the type of water feature you want, is the water bill and energy bill. This may actually be less than you think though. Most of these water features use energy efficient pumps that require very little energy and recycles the water you already use.
The final thing to consider is the increased home value. Your backyard or garden is a major consideration when your home is being priced for sale, and often installing some sort of water feature can actually make you money if you sell the property.
With so many options, which water feature do I choose?
The water feature that is right for you is really a matter of preference. Some of the common options include flowing water fountains, ponds with jets and often even fish, tumbling waterfalls and different water features added to your pool like jets or waterfalls. It is a good idea to have a plan for your backyard, even draw sketches of what you envision if you like and see if what you want is even possible. You will also want to browse pictures of the different kinds of water features others have employed, and see what you like and what would work for you. The amount of room you have is another thing to keep in mind, and you want to be sure whatever you choose still allows you room to enjoy the rest of your backyard or garden.
If you are considering a waterfall, you may also want to speak with a professional designer, and see what ideas contractors who specialize in this type of work have to say. They have worked with all types of yards and gardens and will be able to point you in the right direction. Looking for a custom water feature? Check out our wide selection of Custom Long Island Water Features here.
What You Should Know About Pergolas on Long Island
Pergolas are an incredibly popular addition to homes all over the United States, specifically where weather like extensive heat, rain or wind may ruin and outdoor, backyard experience, but really anywhere people enjoy spending time either relaxing or with company in their backyard or garden.
A pergola is basically any free standing structure offering cover to an area of a backyard, or a structure connecting to one of the walls of a home providing shelter on the porch or in a patio area.
The type of materials used in the installation of a pergola is varied, and nearly anything may be used. Some of the more popular options included pressure treated lumber that can really stand up to the weather and environment and remain looking beautiful, cured, treated and painted cedar and other beautiful woods, steal or metal columns with different types of covering or roofs, plastic, concrete and much more. Really the options are as varied as your imagination, and designers and contractors can probably give you a host of new and unique ideas.
Along with custom pergolas, most home improvement contractors have a number of stock models you may have installed. In some instances you may even be able to install a pergola yourself with some simple directions and a list of needed materials and tools.
What are the advantages of a pergola?
The most obvious advantage of course is a measure of shelter while outdoors, but not so much that you cannot still enjoy a beautiful day. It is great for keeping the sun off while you lounge in your favorite lawn chair, protecting plants that need a bit more shade, cooking outdoors even in the rain, hosting parties and more.
Another advantage is that installing a pergola almost universally will increase the value of your home! Your backyard or garden is a major factor for consideration when your home is being priced. Additions to your backyard can often increase the value of your home, in some cases to even more than what you actually spent having a pergola installed.
Who should I hire to install my pergola?
Whenever you are making additions to your backyard or home it is absolutely essential that you only hire a professional. Home improvement contractors and designers will have experience with all types of backyards, and will be able to help you choose and than install the right kind of pergola that will look great in your backyard, that will be efficient and useful when you have friends and family over, and of course one that will last.
Quality is an essential factor whenever you are having work done on your home or in your backyard, and you want to be sure your pergola can stand up to the elements and that it will last. To save time and money make sure you only hire a professional if you are considering installing a pergola.
What will it cost?
As with all work on the home, prices vary depending on your vision, materials and the contractor hired. Be sure to compare prices and to only hire a reputable contractor.
Looking for a custom pergola on Long Island? Gappsi Group specializes in creating custom pergolas to fit in any backyard.
Why Choose a Gunite Swimming Pool for your Long Island Backyard?
A gunite pool is another name for a concrete pool, the walls, bottom and steps are made of concrete poured between steel beams for a watertight seal and one that will not corrode over time. Concrete also provides, traditionally, more options as far as design, lending itself more readily various designs, curved walls, custom stairs and other features and much more. It is named gunite because the walls are sprayed with a mixture of sand and concrete for a very specific look and feel, the mixture being called gunite of course. This type of pool has many advantages and disadvantages and there is much to consider prior to choosing the type of pool you would like installed in your backyard.
Pros of a Gunite Pool
Since the invention of the backyard pool, concrete has been the most popular choice, and it still has many advantages and is often recommended by designers, contractors and home improvement professionals.
This type of pool almost universally lasts longer and is easier to maintain. This in turn will add value to your home over the long-term while saving you costs in the meantime.
The next, and perhaps given the various advances in the different types of pools available, the more important advantage is the amount of customization possible and the ease of customization. Fiberglass pools for example are pre-manufactured and must be “dropped into” the area provided, limiting your options, especially if it turns out you cannot dig where you though… which happens. Gunite on the other hand is very flexible and the design can be changed at nearly any time during construction, and can be designed from the beginning nearly however you would like.
Finally, gunite pools are simply sturdier. They last longer, keep their shape longer; they are in fact nearly indestructible. There is a very good possibility your gunite pool will last longer than your pool as long as it is not filled in… even then the outline will remain unless you decide to dig it up for some reason… which is not recommended.
Thinking of adding a Custom Swimming Pool on Long Island? Look no further. Gappsi has been helping Long Island home owners make that backyard beautiful for more than 20 years.