Fair Lawn sits right across the line from Hawthorne, so it is one of the closest towns to our office. The borough is mostly residential, with tree-lined streets of capes, colonials and split-levels, many built in the decades after World War II. It is also home to Radburn, the planned community laid out around shared green space and footpaths. Across all of these neighborhoods, the most common requests are the ones that improve how a home looks and works day to day: walkways, steps, patios and driveways.
Front walkways and entry steps
On a Fair Lawn cape or colonial, the path from the driveway to the front door sets the tone for the whole house. Original concrete walks crack, heave over tree roots and settle into puddles. We replace them with pavers, bluestone or poured concrete, laid on a compacted base and pitched so water runs off. When the steps at the end of the walk are also worn, we rebuild them on a new footing with brick or stone veneer risers, bluestone treads and new railings, so the walk and steps read as one design.
Backyard patios
Fair Lawn lots are usually a comfortable size, with room for a dining area, a grill and some lawn. We design patios and walkways around how you actually use the yard, with a direct path from the back door and enough space to move around furniture. Where the yard slopes, a short seating wall or a low retaining wall can level the patio area and give guests a place to sit.
Driveways and chimneys
Driveways on postwar homes tend to be narrow and often show cracks and a sunken apron. We replace them in concrete, asphalt or pavers, and can widen them when the borough allows.
Chimneys are another common item on older Fair Lawn houses. The crown and top courses of brick take the most weather, and once they crack, water reaches the flue and attic. Our chimney masonry work covers crown replacement, rebuilding loose brick and repointing.
Foundations on capes and colonials of this age are usually block or poured concrete with a parged face. Cracked or flaking parging is mostly cosmetic at first, but it can hide cracks that let water into the basement. We repair the wall and apply new parging so it looks clean and sheds water.
Before you start in Fair Lawn
- Check shared spaces. In planned neighborhoods with common paths and green space, confirm where your property ends before designing new hardscape.
- Approvals. Some projects need borough review. We find out what applies.
- Combine projects. Steps, walkway and driveway done together often look better and mean one setup instead of three.
- Book in winter. Spring dates go quickly in towns this close to our office.
Fair Lawn is part of our Bergen County service area, alongside neighboring Ridgewood, Paramus and Garfield. Get a free estimate and we will come by to talk through your plans.
