Natural Limestone Patio And Pool Long Island NY

Choosing The Right Stone For A Pool Deck

Natural-Limestone-Patio-And-Pool-Long-Island-NYWhen choosing the right stone such as a natural limestone patio and pool Long Island NY it’s important to embrace some practical and aesthetic considerations.  Whether it’s an elegant light-colored limestone perfect for a hot summer day, a natural fieldstone emulating the feel of a deep woods swimming hole, or reclaimed granite with its timeless weathered beauty, the following points will help in selecting the best stone for a pool deck or patio area.

The Four S’s to Consider

  • Style – The overall appearance of a pool deck and patio may vary depending on style. It could be sophisticated versus a more rustic look and feel.  The sophisticated style generally has clean lines while a rustic style offers an earthy feel and look with more natural, rougher lines.
  • Surface –  The texture of the stone has a big impact on the look as well as the feel of your patio surface.
    • A split face surface, like a reclaimed plank paver, gives a rustic look to the area.
    • A natural cleft surface comes from stones that are split by man along a natural seam in the stone.  This gives the surface an organic feel with a flatter surface compared to a rough split surface.
  • Shapes and Patterns – Stone shapes, whether irregularly shaped or straight edge squares and rectangles, may completely change the design of a pool deck as different design patterns will also,
  • Scale – It is important to think about the size of the stones. Deciding on small, medium, or large stones determine the look and feel of a pool deck area.

PRO TIP: If the deck space is large, consider using larger-sized pieces to give it a grand feeling. Smaller pieces may be used for more intricate patterns and offer a more sophisticated look.

  • Color – Natural stone comes in a variety of colors in addition to color combinations. Deciding on the stone consider if the pool is in direct sunlight for large amounts of time, then a lighter-colored stone would be good to keep the temperature down. Choose a color or color theme that relates to your home, or office building, as well as other stones in the nearby area.

The Right Stone For The Right Condition

A complement to the surrounding landscape, natural stone pool coping is as practical as it is attractive. Natural stone is durable and resists freeze-thaw cycles.

  • Heat Underfoot – Comfortable underfoot is important when choosing a stone for a pool deck and patio. Which type of stone will help to keep the surface cooler? The answer is a stone with less heat absorption. In general, lighter-colored stones have less heat absorption.
  • Freeze-Thaw – If the pool will be located in a freeze-thaw weather zone, be sure to pick a stone with lower water absorption for the pool deck. Granites, basalts, and porphyry top the charts in this category and will hold up to all weather conditions. We have also hand-picked some freeze-thaw-resistant limestones and sandstones that will work well.
  • Slip Resistance – The last thing you want is a slippery stone for a pool deck and patio. Luckily, adjustments to surface texture and joints can make a huge difference when it comes to creating a slip-resistant deck.

In addition to considering the appearance of the texture, consider the effect it has on the perceived slipperiness of a stone. Man-made surfaces provide excellent grip and some split surfaces tend to be less slippery. In general, stone surfaces with indentations and irregularities provide a better grip.

Natural-Limestone-Patio-And-Pool-Long-Island-NY3WIDE JOINTS VS MANY JOINTS

Wide joints between pavers or joints that have grass or other vegetation growing between them make the overall pool deck surface less slippery.

When there are many joints, your feet are always touching multiple joints which helps you naturally grip the surface and it is, therefore, more slip-resistant.

Pool Deck Materials We LOVE at Gappsi

Limestone – The luxurious feel and look of limestone make it a great choice for a pool deck.

Sandstone – A sedimentary rock composed of sand-size grains of mineral, rock, or organic material. Many sandstone materials are great for pool decks as their split surfaces are naturally slip-resistant. Colors range from beige to brown to gray-blue.

Granite – A coarse-grained igneous rock, granite has a high content of quartz and feldspar giving it a speckled appearance. One of the most durable quarried stones from around the world, granite is nearly always massive, hard, and tough.

Bluestone – Bluestone is actually a sandstone with a deep blue color but also appears with other hues such as shades of gray and brown. Bluestone is known for its advantageous price point. Natural cleft bluestone is quite slip-resistant.

Travertine – A form of limestone deposited by mineral springs, especially hot springs. Travertine often has a fibrous or concentric appearance and exists in white, tan, cream-colored, and even rusty varieties.

Marble – Marble can have beautiful pattern movement within the stone and comes in a wide variety of colors from white to salmon to gray, blue, green, and black.

Natural-Limestone-Patio-And-Pool-Long-Island-NY2Limestone Patio And Pool Long Island NY

Kidney-shaped gunite swimming pools remodeled in Center Island NY. We installed new stairs across the shallow area and porcelain tiles in the water line. The pool was totally remodeled with new plumbing and a new finish. We used super blue diamond bright and tile markers on the edge of the steps. The patio consists of G44 limestone in a french pattern and two inches of G044 Marble Limestone all selected from the Gappsi natural stone collection. Very beautiful property, a very beautiful setting. The latest gunite remodels by Gappsi.

SCHEDULE A MEETING TODAY WITH GAPPSI
VIEW OUR VIDEO OF A NATURAL LIMESTONE PATIO AND POOL LONG ISLAND NY

 

Share this page:

Cleaning and Sealing Paver Stones on Long Island NY

Cleaning-and-Sealing-Paving-Stones1

Cleaning and Sealing Paver Stones is NECESSARY! We are often asked, “Do I need to seal my pavers?”  The short answer is YES!!!  Cleaning and Sealing is an important maintenance tool to keep paver patios, walkways, driveways, and pool decks looking as beautiful as the day they were installed.

However, “too much of a good thing” can come into play, and you should be wary of over-applying paver sealer by reapplying too often, which could create a haze.

What Cleaning and Sealing Paver Stones Can Do For Your Home! 

Natural pavers may be more rustic, but they have a raw, unfinished look that may not fit even with more naturalistic decor styles. Sealed pavers create a polished look and complete the look of your driveway, patio, or pool area. The shine after sealing pavers adds sophistication and can improve curb appeal or complement the rest of your home decor.

Increases Weather Resistance

  • Most pavers are naturally porous. This makes them susceptible to water damage and erosion. Simply cleaning and sealing paver stones adds a resistant layer to sun and rain. In addition, when a sealant is used the pavers are protected from UV rays, which fade the natural color.

Prevents Damage

  • Paver sealing covers the cracks between pavers, creating a smooth surface that discourages chipping and additional cracking. When air temperature changes pavers expand and contract, but cleaning and sealing reduce this effect.  This is important because less movement means less chance of cracking, helping your pavers last longer.

Improves Drainage

  • Unsealed pavers trap and absorb water.  The trapped water leads to damage and erosion, in addition, it inhibits poor drainage for your driveway, patio, or pool area. On the other hand, cleaning and sealing paving stones gives pavers a smooth surface that enables roll-off. Your paved surface area will not collect water.

Easier Maintenance

  • The protective coat of paver sealing protects pavers from oil stains and any other stain your driveway or patio may encounter. It discourages insects, weeds, algae, and mildew, and makes it easier to clean them when they do grow. With a smooth surface and fewer stains, paver maintenance can be a breeze!

Enhances & Restores The Color Of Pavers

  • UV rays cause fading in pavers, but paver sealing functions as a varnish.  The sealant draws out the color and contrast of new and old pavers. Whether you’re installing new pavers or giving a facelift to old ones, paver sealing helps them look more beautiful and vibrant!

Cleaning-and-Sealing-Paving-Stones2

Gappsi Showroom Cleaning and Sealing

The Gappsi team is cleaning and sealing the showroom parking lot located in Smithtown NY Suffolk County on Long Island. We are using hot water on low pressure with a surface cleaner to remove dirt, oil residue, and other debris collected in the crevices of the surface of the pavers. We are using a rotary wand to loosen the dirt collected in between the joints of the pavers. This is a large parking lot built with Nicolock pavers.  The colors of the paving stones are still very nice even after 15 years of being exposed to the elements and vehicular traffic.

Nicolock manufactures high-quality concrete products that withstand the test of time. Like any other concrete product, concrete is corrosive.  It weathers when exposed to the elements like heat, rain, and snow.  In addition, calcium chloride and ice melters are used during freezing times. After completing the cleaning of the entire paver parking lot, we filled the joints of the pavers with haze-free polymeric sand and vibrated it with mechanical plate compactors to allow the sand to settle in and completely fill the joints. We spray water on the pavers to allow the sand to get wet, letting the water saturate the sand all the way through the bottom of the joint, and also wash off the surface of the pavers.

Cleaning-and-Sealing-Paving-Stones3

Polymetric Sand

The polymeric sand comes in a few different colors, but the most commonly used is beige or gray. It really doesn’t matter what color you use because over time it weathers and it will eventually turn into a brownish-gray color. Polymeric sand is a combination of medium-crushed natural sand, that is combined with color and a polymer component. It is activated when in contact with water to make it glue and eventually harden. This makes it better for the pavers’ stability, makes it harder for ants to dig and nest in between the paver joints, and also makes it harder for weeds to grow through.

The next process is the installation of the sealer. We use high-quality urethane-water-based sealers, which are environmentally safe and won’t harm plants, pets, or humans. It penetrates the surface of the pavers and creates a coating to protect the pavers from the elements. It also brings out and deepens the colors. Our sealer won’t yellow, and it will create a consistent tone on the pavers during wet and or dry circumstances. We allow the sealer to cure for at least 3 days before driving on it, and depending on the temperature, it could be longer for the sealer to totally cure.

SCHEDULE A MEETING TODAY WITH GAPPSI

VIEW OUR VIDEO OF CLEANING AND SEALING PAVER STONES AT GAPPSI

We provide pressure washing and re-sanding & sealing services in the following areas of Eastern Long-Island, Western Long-Island, North-Shore Long-Island, South-Shore Long-Island, Suffolk County, and Nassau County: Glen Cove, Hempstead, North Hempstead, Oyster Bay, Babylon, Huntington, Islip, Smithtown, Brookhaven, Southampton, Riverhead, East Hampton, Southold, Old Brookville, Old Westbury, Mill Neck, Nissequogue, Lloyd Harbor, Muttontown, Cold Spring Harbor, and East Norwich.

Share this page:

Kid Friendly Backyard Ideas

Kid Friendly Backyard Ideas

g038 marble pavers

Playing outside and spending quality time enjoying nature is an essential part of childhood so designing a kid friendly backyard is important. It is an experience that many of us from a previous generation enjoyed far more easily than those born today.

When designing an outdoor space safety is a clear priority, but so are look, feel, and function. A kid scape only works when it is attractive, functional, and enjoyable to be in, otherwise, neither kids nor adults will use it.

Take a look at this makeover in Syosset where Gappsi designed a Kid Friendly Backyard. This makeover included:

G038 Marble Pavers Backyard Patio Design

Gappsi installed G038 marble pavers for the entire backyard patio design.  Gappsi designers chose a walnut travertine veneer for the walls and the sitting walls. This system is great for retaining walls, sitting walls, and columns that will show a more natural stone character.  The sitting wall is also a retaining wall to hold the flower bed between the pool and the basketball court.

Synthetic Turf Floor

Gappsi installed next synthetic turf floor.  Synthetic turf is UV stabilized to protect against color fading; unlike natural turf that will have to deal with diseases, drought, and dormancy, artificial grass has the benefits of looking great 24/7 all year long. It can also be used to spruce up spaces where it isn’t feasible to grow a lawn.

Often synthetic turf is promoted as environmentally friendly because homeowners do not have water, to fertilize or mow their lawns anymore, reducing emissions by no longer being dependent on gas-powered machines.

Maintenance is often said to be nonexistent for synthetic turf, but if homeowners do want their artificial turf to last as long as possible, there is some maintenance needed.

Kid-Friendly-Backyard-Synthetic-Turf

High-Quality Trampolines Everyone Will Love!

We provide high-quality in-ground, above-ground trampolines, and playground equipment. Let us help you find the perfect trampoline for your family. We’ve been creating safe and fun backyard memories for decades.

When getting ready to put a trampoline inground there are many things to consider. First, do you have space? Make sure you leave yourself adequate space around the trampoline with an enclosure should the kids land outside of the jumping area. You should give yourself at least 18ft overhead clearance and 6ft clearance on each side of the trampoline.

What makes our Trampolines Great?

  • Heavy-Duty Frames – provide stability, support, and safety; they also last longer.
  • The Bounce in the Springs – the more springs and the longer the spring length, the better the bounce experience. Stainless steel, tapered springs provide the longest lasting and best bouncing springs for trampolines.
  • The Jump Bed – Also referred to as the jump mat, this part of the trampoline is one area you don’t want to skimp. Made of a high-grade polypropylene material that is smooth to the touch, this is what handles all the tension and safely catches you after each bounce. The stitching surrounding the bed is critical for strength and durability and that is why all our jump beds have a minimum of 8 rows of stitching.
  • Safety Frame Pad – This important safety piece should be at least 1” thick and be in a UV-treated vinyl covering that will have low wear and long life. The pad should secure tightly and cover the frame and springs.

Kid-Friendly-Backyard-InGround-TrampolineSports Game Courts

Make your backyard an all-weather sports zone and a gathering place for family and friends with a multi Sports Game Court from Gappsi. Enjoy a setting where basketball, racquet sports, volleyball, shuffleboard, and more are all in play, and do so in a safe environment that provides you the peace of mind of knowing where your children are.

Gappsi backyard sports game courts feature the best of what our high-performance surfaces have to offer. This sports game court was designed on regulation asphalt.  Experience the game you love on a floor built with stress reduction in mind. Play with the same hoops system the pros use and set your children on a course of enjoying the games they love in the comfort and safety of their own backyard.

Kid Friendly Backyard Sports Game Courts

Swimming Pool Upgrade Refresh Your Pool This Summer

Liner looking sun-bleached? Tired of looking at the same pattern? You don’t need a new shape, style, or size to create a new poolscape. A stunning makeover is as simple as replacing your interior pool finish. It’s simple, affordable, and usually just takes one day to complete. Choose from our many beautiful patterns and enjoy your remodeled, revitalized new pool!

Kid-Friendly-Backyard-Pool-Liner-G038-Pavers

Even though you and your kids might have your separate backyard retreats, that does not mean you cannot ever come together as a family outdoors! It is important to include features in your backyard that everyone can enjoy, whether alone or as a group.

Don’t forget to add adult amenities like fire pits which can easily become family-friendly with supervision. Host a kid-friendly cook-out with summer staples like hot dogs and s’mores cooking inside our Wood Fire Stoves.

SCHEDULE A MEETING TODAY WITH GAPPSI

VIEW OUR VIDEO OF A KID FRIENDLY BACKYARD

Any services that are not covered under our Home Improvement License are performed by a licensed and insured Subcontractor.

Our showroom display also includes the most beautiful and unique imported natural stones for patios, walkways, and driveways.

We provide these services in the following areas of Nassau and Suffolk County. (Glen Cove, Hempstead, North Hempstead, Oyster Bay, Babylon, Huntington, Islip, Smithtown, Brookhaven, Southampton, Riverhead, East Hampton, Southold, Old Brookville, Old Westbury, Mill Neck, Nissequogue, Lloyd Harbor, Muttontown, Coldspring Harbor, and East Norwich)
Gappsi’s knowledgeable and experienced personnel can help you create the yard of your dreams!

Share this page:

Travertine Backyard Patios and Pools

Travertine Backyard Patios and Pools

travertine backyard patio and pool at night

Travertine backyard patios and pool designs simply are some of the best choices for your poolscape designs. When considering your patio choice you will want to consider travertine pavers because they are the perfect option for your patio below are some of the many benefits.

Nothing will enhance the beauty of your outdoor entrances, patios, pool decks, and/or walkways like our elegant travertine stone pavers.

The Benefits of Travertine Pavers

One of the best reasons to consider these pavers is purely aesthetic. They offer a unique look to your home when compared with other pavers, making your patio or pool deck stand out amongst others in your neighborhood!

Travertine is also a great choice for use around pools because they don’t become slippery when wet. This offers a higher level of safety when you and your family are enjoying your pool.

Designing your backyard patio and pool area it is important to consider how affordable and durable the material will be.  Travertine proves to be a great investment because of the high-quality product and longevity of the stone. Their durability derives from their resistance to freezing, thawing, and fading in weather, and if you need to replace a single paver, the process is very easy.

Additionally, travertine pavers are easy to clean, ensuring that they will continue to look great for years to come.

If you are looking for the perfect pavers for your next project, travertine pavers could be your best choice. Take some time to look at all of the options available here at the Gappsi Gallery to see which selections match your space.

Travertine Backyard Patios and Pools

Travertine French Pattern Backyard Design In Kings Park NY

This backyard design located in Kings Park, NY includes Travertine French Pattern Pavers with a pool coping.  The project was designed by Giuseppe Abbrancati and built by his team at Gappsi. The backyard was completely remodeled and included in the installation of a gunite swimming pool finished with super blue Diamond Brite plaster with porcelain tiles on the top of the water line as well as markers on steps, spa, and sundeck.

The pool is equipped with a gunite spa, a sundeck where lounge chairs can be placed in 12 inches of water, a bubbler jet on the sundeck, and LED lights. The backyard design included a 16×16 pavilion built over an outdoor kitchen with all twin eagle appliances. A retaining wall was built with poured concrete to retain the backyard but also used for a sheer descent water feature. The patio, pool coping, and wall veneers consist of walnut travertine imported from Turkey, using a beige brown shade stone color very suitable for pool areas. Landscape lighting was also installed to create a peaceful ambiance at night time making this backyard layout a retreat for the happy homeowners. Gappsi designed, supplied, and installed the entire project.

SCHEDULE A MEETING TODAY WITH GAPPSI

Gappsi Group offers the following residential and commercial services to the public:

Home RemodelingSwimming PoolsPaver Cleaning and SealingSports Game CourtsEpoxy FlooringLandscape, and Masonry Design, and Construction.

Our latest division is the manufacturing of clay brick ovens, made from the best materials on earth. We distribute all these ovens throughout North America.  In addition, we display them in the showroom and have weekly demonstrations on how to use the ovens.

VIEW OUR VIDEO OF A TRAVERTINE BACKYARD PATIOS AND POOLS

Our showroom display also includes the most beautiful and unique imported natural stones for patios, walkways, and driveways.

We provide these services in the following areas of Nassau and Suffolk County. (Glen Cove, Hempstead, North Hempstead, Oyster Bay, Babylon, Huntington, Islip. Smithtown, Brookhaven, Southampton, Riverhead, East Hampton, Southold, Old Brookville, Old Westbury, Mill Neck. Nissequogue, Lloyd Harbor, Muttontown, Coldspring Harbor, and East Norwich).  Gappsi’s knowledgeable and experienced personnel can help you create the yard of your dreams!

Share this page:

Black Limestone Flamed & Tumbled G031

BLACK LIMESTONE FLAMED & TUMBLED G031Black Limestone Flamed & Tumbled G031Why should you use Black Limestone Flamed & Tumbled G031 when paving your driveway?

Are you are looking for a classy look for your driveway? Gappsi’s offers a Black Limestone Flamed & Tumbled G031 paver that we recommend will create a WOW driveway that will stand out from your neighbors.  This paver is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of calcium carbonate, they are a highly versatile natural stone that is best suited and stable for your driveway application.

Driveways are great places for showing off your personality.  When choosing your pavers ensure they can withstand the high pressure of the vehicle and any weather-related problems that may occur in your area.

The Perfect Driveway WOW Choice Black Limestone Flamed & Tumbled G031

Black Limestone driveway pavers are a perfect choice because they have great beauty, more durability, and less corrosion. Their rough and rugged texture makes them non-slip and water-resistant as well. The different lithotypes are quite similar: they are mudstone composed mainly of calcite and have the same fabric, characterized by the effect of the packing.  Black limestone paving is a very popular limestone that is dark charcoal greyish black in colour to achieve a contemporary looking patio with straight sawn edges to add the wow factor.

What does the Black Limestone Flamed & Tumbled G031 natural texture feel like?

In terms of texture, limestone will give you a smoother finish with fewer ridges.  It offers a more even finish perfect for driveways as well as many indoor projects too. If you are looking for a more contemporary finish then sandstone with a sawn finish would be best; keep in mind there are certain types with a grittier finish that can be more slip-resistant.

What is Limestone Made of?

The surface of Black Limestone Flamed & Tumbled G031 paving stone apart from the occasional riven is very flat and uniform; this combined with the consistent black color makes it suitable for contemporary gardens and landscapes. The black limestone is extremely dense, hence making the products strong and durable. This natural limestone is very tough and slip-resistant plus has great tolerance in freezing and thawing conditions; which is ideal for commercial sites.

Limestone is mainly composed of calcium carbonate, which is a type of mineral called calcite. The reason most limestones are black is due to the calcite crystals being clear and the origin of black limestone is in the marine sediments where sunlight is radiated. Due to the high concentration of organic matter everywhere, it retains a black color.

Black limestones are usually formed in a deposit environment with limited circulation and high organic matter such as a lagoon. This results in organic feeding, limiting the presence of decaying organisms, and reducing anaerobic conditions that are similar to the back swamp environment in classic settings.

Black Limestone Flamed & Tumbled G031 vs. other Limestones?

The mineral composition of limestone and black limestone is no different from each other. The black limestone in appearance is due to its high organic matter content which is the only difference.  Most of the black limestone contains fossils, which give it an attractive appearance perfectly suited for flooring, tiling, and paving.

When choosing the perfect limestone for your home or business don’t look for features in the limestones, just find the color you like and keep it simple.  Depending on your location in the world your environment and outdoor life will be different. If you live in a place where there is a road next to your house or there is a highway then black limestone paving may be better for you.

Are You Feeling The Heat?

Many of us are feeling the heat in our backyards right now, with heat waves making gardens very hot in parts of the world.  One of the most undesirable effects of hot weather is paving that is just too hot to even stand on, scrapping any patio ideas that involve walking barefoot. To help reduce the heat choose light-colored stone. As a general rule, no matter what paving materials you choose, go for a light color as it reflects rather than absorbs heat.

Choosing your pavers carefully will help you avoid getting your feet scorched after getting out of the pool. Among the best paving materials for reducing heat are limestone and sandstone.

Purchase Black Limestone Flamed & Tumbled G031 at Gappsi TODAY and create your WOW Driveway!

We have a unique and exclusive line of natural stone products for pool copings, retaining walls, driveways, and patios. This includes Porcelain, Sandstone, Travertine, Marble, Lava Stone, Limestone, Granite, and other manufactured paving stones. For your outdoor cooking needs, Gappsi also distributes and installs wood-burning pizza ovens and gas pizza ovens by Twin Eagles, Delta, and Summit outdoor kitchen appliances.

SCHEDULE A MEETING TODAY WITH GAPPSI

Gappsi Group offers the following residential and commercial services to the public:

Home Remodeling, Swimming Pools, Paver Cleaning and Sealing, Sports Game Courts, Epoxy Flooring, Landscape, and Masonry Design, and Construction.

Our latest division is the manufacturing of clay brick ovens, made from the best materials on earth. We distribute all these ovens throughout North America, we also display them at the showroom and have weekly demonstrations on how to use the ovens.

VIEW OUR VIDEO OF BLACK LIMESTONE FLAMED & TUMBLED G031

Any service that is not covered under the Gappsi Home Improvement License will be performed by licensed and insured Subcontractors.

Our showroom display also includes the most beautiful and unique imported natural stones for patios, walkways, and driveways.

We provide these services in the following areas of Nassau and Suffolk County. (Glen Cove, Hempstead, North Hempstead, Oyster Bay, Babylon, Huntington, Islip, Smithtown, Brookhaven, Southampton, Riverhead. East Hampton, Southold, Old Brookville, Old Westbury, Mill Neck, Nissequogue. Lloyd Harbor, Muttontown, Coldspring Harbor, and East Norwich). Gappsi’s knowledgeable and experienced personnel can help you create the yard of your dreams!

Share this page: