Hardscape, Pavers, Concrete and Walls

Compare appearance, feel underfoot, durability, maintenance, installation method and how each is repaired. Concrete offers a seamless surface and many finishes; pavers are modular, repairable and come in many styles; natural stone, such as travertine, limestone and flagstone, offers unique beauty and premium character. Edges, transitions and how large areas are broken up matter as much as the material. We show you samples in your setting and define the complete paving system in our proposal.

The base is what keeps paving level, stable and crack-resistant for years. Proper excavation, compacted aggregate base, drainage and the correct installation method for the material and load, such as a driveway versus a patio, are essential. Two bids for the "same" patio can differ greatly in what is underneath. We specify the base preparation for every hardscape surface we build.

Sometimes. A paver or stone overlay can be installed over existing concrete if the slab is sound, stable and drains well. The added height affects door thresholds, steps, drainage and where the new surface meets existing paving. Covering a slab does not fix cracking, settlement or drainage problems underneath. We evaluate the existing patio before recommending an overlay or a full replacement.

Look at real samples in sunlight similar to your patio. Lighter colors and certain materials, such as travertine, stay cooler underfoot than dark pavers or dark concrete, and texture affects both comfort and slip resistance. Consider cleaning and maintenance as well. Be cautious of any claim that a surface will always stay cool. Shade from trees or a patio cover also changes how a sunny patio feels and is used.

No one can honestly promise crack-free concrete. Concrete shrinks as it cures and moves with temperature and soil. Good design, proper base preparation, reinforcement, correctly spaced control joints and careful placement and curing minimize cracking and direct it to the joints. We explain our approach for your project, and the warranties that apply to our work are described in our Scope of Work.

A retaining wall holds back soil where the ground changes level, so it must be designed for soil pressure, water and any load above it. A garden or freestanding wall, such as a seat wall or a property line wall, does not retain soil. A wall's visible height alone does not reveal its structural role. We evaluate each wall's actual conditions and confirm engineering and permit requirements before building.

Permit and engineering requirements depend on the responsible city or county, the wall’s total structural height, slopes, retained soil and any surcharge from a driveway, pool or building. A short visible wall can still need engineering or a permit. We check the actual property requirements and design conditions rather than apply a height rule borrowed from another jurisdiction.

Water pressure behind a wall is one of the most common causes of retaining wall failure. Properly designed walls include drainage, such as a perforated subdrain, gravel backfill and weep holes or outlets, to relieve water pressure and carry water to an approved outlet. These parts are buried after backfill, so they must be built correctly the first time. We build every retaining wall to its engineered drainage details.

We plan steps and level changes as part of how people move through the property, from the house to the pool, outdoor kitchen and garden. Comfortable step dimensions, materials, lighting, drainage and handrails where required are coordinated during design. Solving level changes early prevents awkward transitions that are expensive to fix after paving is installed.

A complete driveway and entry design considers parking, turning space, the walk to the front door, planting, lighting, drainage, gates, walls and steps. It also clarifies how the new paving meets the street, garage and existing surfaces. Work in the public right-of-way, such as a new driveway approach, may require a separate permit from the responsible agency. We define the full scope so you can compare apples to apples.

We install concrete pavers, porcelain pavers, travertine and other natural stone pavers, and permeable pavers in many sizes, colors and textures. Concrete pavers are durable and versatile; porcelain offers a refined, low-maintenance modern look; natural stone selections need to be checked for wet use, maintenance and heat underfoot. We help you select the paver that best fits your design, use and budget.

Each has advantages. Pavers are modular, so individual units can be lifted and replaced, they handle minor ground movement well, and they offer many patterns and colors. Concrete offers a smooth continuous surface and modern looks such as sand-finish, broom-finish or colored concrete. Pavers and stone tend to cost more than basic concrete. The right choice depends on your style, use and budget, and we install both.

Travertine is a natural stone used for pool decks and coping. Its color, finish, density and suitability for salt or chemically treated water all matter. Some selections can feel cooler than darker paving, but no stone stays cool in every setting, especially in La Quinta’s summer sun. We review actual samples, wet-use suitability and the supplier’s sealing and maintenance guidance before specifying it.

Porcelain pavers are dense, factory-made tiles, usually 2 centimeters thick, designed for outdoor use. They are highly stain-resistant, absorb very little water, keep their color and come in finishes that resemble stone, wood and concrete. Porcelain can suit modern homes across our service areas because it creates clean, seamless indoor-outdoor transitions. It must be installed with an appropriate system for outdoor conditions.

Sealing is optional for most concrete pavers and recommended for many natural stones such as travertine. A sealer can enhance color, resist stains and help stabilize joint sand. It must be reapplied periodically. We recommend a sealing approach based on the material, its location and how you use the space.

A seat wall is a low wall, typically at comfortable seating height, that defines an outdoor space while providing built-in seating. Seat walls are often used around fire pits, patios and planting beds, and can include lighting and stone or stucco finishes. They are an efficient way to add seating for gatherings without extra furniture.

Walls can be built with concrete block finished with stucco, natural stone veneer, stacked stone, poured concrete, precast stone caps and other finishes. The finish should complement your home's architecture and other hardscape materials. Retaining walls require an engineered structure behind the finish. We help you select materials that look great and suit the wall's purpose.

Yes. We build block walls, property-line walls and garden walls as part of our landscape projects. Property-line walls may require a permit, a survey to confirm the line, and agreement with your neighbor if the wall is shared. Height limits vary by jurisdiction and HOA. We handle the permitting and construction and finish the wall to match your design.

Decomposed granite (DG) is a fine, gravel-like material made from weathered granite. It is used for natural-looking paths, patios and garden areas in Mediterranean and drought-tolerant landscapes. Stabilized DG includes a binder that makes it firmer and more resistant to erosion. DG is permeable and affordable, but it can track indoors and needs occasional maintenance. We install it with proper edging and base.

We can often closely match existing materials, colors and patterns, but exact matches are not always possible because products are discontinued and existing surfaces weather over time. Sometimes a deliberate contrast or a border that separates old and new looks better than an imperfect match. We will show you options and recommend the best approach.

High-quality pavers installed on a properly prepared and compacted base can last for decades. Paver longevity depends mostly on base preparation, edge restraint, drainage and the load on the surface. Individual pavers can be replaced if one is damaged, which is a key advantage of pavers over poured concrete.

Choose the deck as a complete system: a material and finish suitable for wet bare feet, compatible with the pool environment, installed on the right base with effective drainage. Natural stone, outdoor-rated porcelain, concrete pavers and textured concrete offer different looks and maintenance needs. In sunny or desert settings, sample temperature and shade deserve special attention. No material is always cool or slip-proof.

Coping is the cap along the top edge of the pool wall, where the pool meets the deck. It finishes the edge, directs water away from the pool, and provides a comfortable place to sit or hold. Common coping materials include travertine, limestone, precast concrete, porcelain and poured-in-place concrete. Coping style strongly affects the look of a pool.

We prevent settlement with proper excavation, removal of unsuitable soil, a compacted aggregate base of the right depth for the use, edge restraints for pavers, and drainage that keeps water from weakening the base. On fill soils or slopes, additional engineering may be required. Settlement is almost always caused by what is underneath, so that is where we focus.