Franklin Lakes is set in the rolling, wooded northwest corner of Bergen County, bordering Wyckoff, Oakland and Mahwah. Many homes are large, from established colonials on generous lots to newer estate homes finished in stone and stucco. Lots are wide, trees are mature and backyards are big enough to hold several outdoor spaces at once. That room to work brings different design questions than a typical suburban patio.
Planning the whole yard
When a property can hold a dining patio, a lounge area, a fire feature and a pool deck, the order and flow between them matter as much as the materials. We start with a hardscaping plan that covers:
- How people move from the house to each area
- Which spaces get sun or shade at the times you use them
- Where water drains as surfaces are added
- How lighting, gas lines and power reach each feature
Patios that suit a large home
Curved edges, contrasting borders and wide steps help a large patio feel in proportion to the house. We often tie patios to the home with stone-faced steps at French doors and repeat the same stone in seating walls and pillars.
Fireplaces and fire pits
An outdoor fireplace gives a patio a focal point and makes it useful in spring and fall. We build them on reinforced footings, faced in natural or manufactured stone, with a hearth and seating around them. Gas or wood-burning fire pits are a lighter option.
Around the pool
Pool decks, coping and the walls around a pool are among the most visible masonry on a property. Our pool masonry work coordinates materials so the pool area matches the main patio.
Rolling ground
Lots in Franklin Lakes often rise or fall from the house toward the woods. Retaining walls, stepped terraces and properly drained bases keep big hardscape level and stable.
Franklin Lakes is one of our Bergen County towns, alongside Wyckoff and Oakland. Schedule a free estimate to plan your backyard.
