Upper Saddle River sits at the northern end of Bergen County, and it has a distinctly spacious, wooded feel. Most homes are center-hall colonials and custom houses built from the 1960s onward, set on lots that are large by Bergen standards. The Saddle River runs through the borough, the land rolls gently, and mature trees surround most properties. Those big, private backyards are where most of our conversations here begin.
Fireplaces and fire pits
An outdoor fireplace turns a patio into a room. It anchors furniture, blocks the evening breeze and stretches the season into October and beyond. We build fireplaces and fire pits in natural stone or stone veneer on solid footings, and we place them with the wind, the house and the trees in mind.
Patios sized for the yard
A patio on a large lot should feel generous without overwhelming the lawn. Circular patios, curved edges and contrasting borders soften the geometry. Our paver patios are built on deep compacted bases, which matters on lots where frost penetrates shaded ground.
Pools and long driveways
Many homes in town have in-ground pools with original coping and decks. We reset or replace coping and rebuild surrounding decks in pavers or stamped concrete. Out front, long driveways are good candidates for pavers. They handle freeze and thaw well and can be repaired in sections if a utility line ever needs to be reached.
Lighting is another detail worth planning early. Low-voltage lights set into steps, seating walls or the fireplace face make a wooded backyard safer after dark, and running the conduit before the pavers go down is far easier than adding it later.
Points to cover early
- Coverage. The borough may limit how much of a lot can be paved, which affects patio and driveway size.
- Grading. Rolling yards need a drainage plan before the patio footprint is fixed.
- Trees. Root zones near the house limit where footings can go.
- Style. Materials should complement the colonial or custom facade, so we review options against the house.
Updating the front of the house
A stone veneer foundation, wider front steps with bluestone treads or a new walkway can give a 1970s or 1980s colonial a fresh face without major construction.
Upper Saddle River borders Saddle River and Montvale, and we serve every town in Bergen County. Book your free estimate and we will plan it with you.
