Patios, walkways & hardscape construction in western Montana

Freeze-thaw acting on a base that holds water. If the base is too shallow, not properly compacted, or made of material that traps moisture, the water in it expands as it freezes and lifts the surface above. Repeat that through a western Montana winter and the settling is uneven. A deep, well-compacted, free-draining base is what prevents it, and it is entirely hidden once the job is done.

Hardscape generally goes in first. It involves heavy material, and often equipment, both of which are hard on finished beds and new plantings. Designing both together and building the hardscape first means the planting and irrigation can be laid out around what is actually there rather than around a plan.

Pavers have a real advantage in a freeze-thaw climate because the joints let the surface flex slightly instead of cracking, and individual pavers can be lifted and reset if something settles. Poured concrete is a monolith — when it cracks, and here it eventually does, the repair is far more visible. Concrete still makes sense in some applications, and we will say which we would use where.

It can, if it is built without thinking about it — a hard surface sheds water that used to soak in. That is why grading and drainage are part of the design rather than an afterthought. Done properly, a patio directs water away from your foundation and can improve on what was there before.

Usually, yes. There is a wide range of paver and natural stone available, and we will bring samples so you can see them against your house and existing materials in daylight rather than choosing from a catalogue photo.