Hardscapes and sophisticated patios enhance backyards and property values
By Jack Firneno
Wire Editor
You probably haven’t wanted to go outside much this winter, what with the frigid temperatures and seemingly constant snowfall.
But, you probably will soon. And, when you do, you may want to stay out there.
“Spring is our busy time,” said Tyler Keyser. “As soon as the temperature breaks, people start itching to do the things they’ve been thinking about all winter long.”
Keyser is the owner of Stoneworx, a “hardscaping” company based in Bucks County. Its calling card is deluxe outdoor patio areas with stone flooring, retaining walls and even kitchen areas.
They are projects that have become popular through the area, said Keyser, both as a way to enhance people’s summers and increase their property values.
“I’ve heard of people’s property values increasing anywhere from 10 to 20 percent,” said Keyser.
The key, he explained, is the impression a patio makes on prospective buyers, as opposed to a less-than-manicured yard or bumpy, hilly terrain.
“When people open the back door and see they don’t have to dump 10 or 20 grand. Instead they see a permanent, sculpted area. Those houses sell easier and faster.”
Craig Landes, a sales associate at Weichert Real Estate in Doylestown, agreed with Keyser’s assertion. Currently, he’s working with a client who just added a hardscaped patio to a townhouse.
“You definitely get your money’s worth,” said Landes. “In the long run, it’ll pay for itself and increase overall value.”
And, it’s something that’s catching on. “This isn’t lifestyles of the rich and famous anymore,” said Keyser. “An average house in Feasterville may get a built-in grill and food service. Moving the kitchen outside is the new thing.”
Pete Stillitano, vice president of Homes and Hearth, said that outdoor kitchens aren’t a huge part of his business as they are still expensive projects. But, it’s something he sees as part of a larger, growing trend.
“People want their patios to be an extension of their homes,” he noted.
With locations in Lower and Central Bucks, Stillitano sees how people in Bucks and Montgomery counties have changed their perception of outdoor spaces over the past few years.
“They’re no longer the ‘stepchild’ of the house. Most patios open from a family room or kitchen, and you’d be surprised how many people select fabrics or patio furniture that coordinate with their family room,” Stillitano explained.
A big part of keeping up those appearances, he continued, means keeping up with your lawn furniture. Even the best chairs, tables or outdoor couches are susceptible to the elements, and replacing a favorite piece can be time-consuming and wallet-draining.
“Depending on the furniture, it can be cheaper to get it repaired,” Stillitano explained.
Sling furniture — outdoor chairs with material stretched across the frame — has been the go-to for a few decades, but the material fades over time. They also aren’t as comfortable as single pieces and couches with cushions.
“When I started out, everyone bought cushions,” Stillitano said of his experiences some 30 years ago. “Then the sling furniture came out and it was more convenient.”
But now cushions have made a comeback — “You’ll see it in Lowe’s or Home Depot now,” he noted — and those pieces often need maintenance.
Home and Hearth is known as one of the only companies in the area that can refurbish old pieces or make new custom cushions to either recreate old ones or match another room’s design, said Stillitano.
“On an average weekend, you’ll entertain more outside your home than inside,” he said. “That’s the way people want their homes to look.”
