Contact us now to discuss your project, whether it's for commercial or residential landscaping services. We're here to assist you.
When one thinks of a landscaping project to improve the appeal of their home, most people look at plants and trees and perhaps some pavers or brick. Your home is your life and when you’re looking at a small or large project, the very foundation of any project begins with concrete.
At first glance, concrete may seem dull and unimaginative, when actually it’s quite the contrary. Concrete provides stability, adaptability, and affordability to any landscape project. It can be colored, textured, stamped, and stuccoed. Serving communities like Granite City, Collinsville, and Edwardsville, Integrity Pool Scapes’ expertise turns any part of your yard into a showplace that your friends and family will enjoy for decades to come. Whatever your vision, we can bring it to completion!
If your patio is cracked and uneven, a new concrete pad can transform your outdoor space. Enhance it with subtle color accents or textured surfaces that add both traction and visual appeal—bringing life to what was once plain concrete. Integrity Pool Scapes ensures quality by carefully tamping the earth below and reinforcing with rebar, allowing their experienced technicians to pour concrete pads with strength and durability that stands the test of time.
Pergolas and gazebos add both style and function to a backyard. They create shaded areas for relaxing or entertaining, offer a defined outdoor living space, and can enhance the aesthetic appeal of your landscape.
We set a concrete footing so that the posts holding up your structure will be there as long as the concrete pad. Integrity Pool Scapes can build the entire pergola or gazebo to provide shade against the southern sun, shelter against a spring rain, and ensure that the couch underneath stays cool and dry to nap on. We can even integrate an invisible irrigation line into the posts so you can hang and automatically water some colorful flower baskets!
Have some soil elevation in your yard or just want a raised planter? Use concrete to pour a reinforced retaining wall that can be used to prevent soil erosion and provide an attractive focal point for plants and flowers. A raised planter can be constructed using a concrete footing and reinforced cinder block. Use decorative faux stone or stucco to complete the project and you’ll be watering your flower display in no time. Using rebar to prevent cracking and solidifying the walls will provide enough strength to withstand a New Madrid earthquake.
A custom outdoor kitchen is the perfect spot for barbecuing, sharing meals, and making memories, whether you're hosting a gathering or enjoying a quiet evening alone. Imagine a space complete with bar-b-que grills, warming trays, drawers for utensils, cupboards to hold propane tanks, counter space for serving food, and an eating bar with tucked in bar stools to carry on conversations.
Starting with a well-poured concrete foundation by Integrity Pool Scapes sets the stage for the perfect outdoor gathering space. The concrete pad provides stability and a smooth surface for stone blocks that form a beautiful fire pit. This feature creates an inviting focal point where children can roast s’mores, teenagers can share ghost stories, and adults can unwind with a glass of wine, all while enjoying the warm glow of a crackling fire. The concrete base ensures durability and a seamless connection to the rest of your outdoor kitchen.
While stone may seem to have aesthetic advantages over concrete, you might consider concrete in planning your landscape for the following reasons:
Versatility: Concrete can be molded into various shapes and sizes, making it suitable for a wider range of architectural styles and applications.
Speed of Construction: In most instances, concrete can be constructed more quickly than stone, as they don't require individual stone placement and mortar application.
Uniformity: Concrete walls offer a more consistent appearance compared to stone but even if you like stone, realistic looking “faux” stone can be mortared to concrete in a less expensive manner.
Cost-Effectiveness: In many cases, concrete is more cost-effective than stone, especially for large-scale projects.
Durability: Concrete is known for its strength and durability, making it resistant to weathering and erosion, and is easier to maintain.
Concrete offers so many advantages in any landscaping plan. It’s not just one part mortar, two parts sand, and three parts aggregate rock. It’s an expansive patio with flower laden pots and an outdoor kitchen, a gazebo for afternoon snoozing, a stepped walkway bordered by shasta daisies and solar lights, or a simple mow-strip to separate your lawn from your planters. Concrete improves curb appeal, landscape aesthetics and function, and ultimately home value.
Allow Integrity Landscape to bring your concept to life. Let Integrity help you with your design and planning; we’ll suggest affordable solutions using concrete and stone to accent your home’s exterior. Integrity will also produce a timeline for your project so you can plan for the gathering you’ll have with your finished landscape.
Integrity Pool Scapes serves Metro East and the St. Louis area for both residential and commercial properties. Call Integrity Pool Scapes now for a design and project consultation. You bring the imagination. We’ll bring the expertise.
For businesses in the St. Louis Metro East area, maintaining an attractive and functional landscape around your building is key to making a positive impression on clients, employees, and neighbors. Clean, orderly outdoor spaces offer an inviting environment for breaks, private calls, or outdoor lunch spots. However, maintaining these areas can be challenging, and sometimes a complete landscape overhaul is necessary for ADA compliance, improved access, or general aesthetic upgrades.
Integrity Pool Scapes specializes in transforming commercial properties throughout Edwardsville, Granite City, and Belleville. With concrete as a primary element, we handle everything from sidewalk repairs and driveways to planter boxes and outdoor seating areas. These durable and visually pleasing improvements are designed to last for decades.
If you’re considering an upgrade to your commercial property, contact Integrity Pool Scapes for design solutions and affordable options that make your business stand out in the Metro East area.
You bring the imagination. We’ll bring the expertise.
The rise of custom outdoor kitchen installations has transformed the way we think about grilling, cooking, and entertaining outside. No longer confined to just a simple grill, today’s outdoor kitchens are fully equipped cooking spaces that rival the best indoor kitchens. Whether you’re looking to entertain guests, cook up family meals, or create a specialized cooking haven, choosing the right equipment for your outdoor kitchen is essential to making the most of your space. In this guide, we’ll take you through the various types of cooking surfaces, from griddles to propane burners, pizza ovens to smokers, and help you choose what’s right for your backyard culinary setup.
Griddles have become a popular choice in outdoor kitchens due to their versatility and ability to handle a wide range of cooking tasks. A griddle is essentially a flat, smooth surface that provides even heat distribution for cooking everything from pancakes and eggs to bacon, stir-fries, and burgers.
For those who love to entertain guests during brunch or who have a large family, an outdoor griddle can be a game-changer. Griddles are perfect for cooking multiple items at once, allowing you to prepare an entire meal in one spot. Popular models like the Blackstone Griddle offer a large cooking surface that heats up quickly and provides even cooking. They are typically fueled by propane, making them easy to control and manage during outdoor cooking sessions.
One of the best things about griddles is their ability to give you that same smooth, even heat that you find on indoor stovetops, making them perfect for foods that require consistent temperatures. They also allow for great flavor retention, especially when cooking delicate items like eggs or fish.
If you're someone who enjoys stir-frying, wok cooking, or deep frying outdoors, a propane burner is an essential piece of equipment for your outdoor kitchen. These standalone burners, often made from durable stainless steel, are designed to deliver high heat for faster cooking. They are perfect for preparing dishes that require high temperatures, such as frying tempura or making quick stir-fries. Propane burners come in various sizes, so whether you’re looking to cook for a few people or host a large outdoor gathering, you can find a propane burner that suits your needs. Some premium models also offer multiple burners that allow you to cook multiple items at once, adding to the overall efficiency of your kitchen.
Experts at The Spruce Eats note that propane burners offer significant flexibility when it comes to outdoor cooking, as they can handle larger pots and skillets than most traditional grills. Additionally, propane burners heat up quickly and are ideal for cooking food that requires consistent, high heat. Whether you need to make a large pot of chili, stir-fry a big batch of vegetables, or deep fry foods, a propane burner is a highly adaptable tool for your outdoor kitchen. Its versatility makes it a great addition to any outdoor setup, complementing other cooking surfaces like grills or pizza ovens.
If you’re a fan of slow-cooked, smoky meats or you enjoy experimenting with different flavors, the Big Green Egg might be the perfect piece of equipment for your outdoor kitchen. A kamado-style smoker and grill, the Big Green Egg is one of the most versatile and beloved outdoor cooking tools available.
It works by using a combination of lump charcoal and wood chips to create a smoky flavor that infuses your food. The ceramic construction helps retain heat and moisture, allowing for long cooking times, which is perfect for dishes like smoked brisket or pork shoulder. Additionally, the Big Green Egg can also double as a pizza oven or even a roaster, offering multi-functional value for your backyard kitchen.
The ability to regulate the temperature with the top and bottom vents is key to the Big Green Egg’s success. Whether you’re grilling at high temperatures or slow-smoking a brisket for hours, the Egg can handle both extremes with ease. As Consumer Reports highlights, the Egg is also remarkably fuel-efficient, making it a great option for those who want to maximize their cooking experience while minimizing the impact on their gas or charcoal supply.
There’s nothing quite like a pizza made in a wood-fired outdoor pizza oven. If you’ve ever dined at a pizzeria that uses a traditional brick oven, you’ll know how the high heat of the oven gives the pizza a perfectly crisp crust and charred flavor. Recreating that experience at home is easier than you might think with the right pizza oven for your outdoor kitchen. Wood-fired pizza ovens, like those from Ooni or Bertello, can reach temperatures as high as 900 degrees Fahrenheit, which is ideal for creating that perfect crispy pizza crust. Many models are compact, making them a great addition to smaller outdoor kitchens. These ovens not only cook pizza but can also be used for roasting meats, baking bread, or even preparing desserts like pies.
The ability to cook a pizza in minutes at extremely high temperatures is what makes pizza ovens so popular in outdoor kitchens. Unlike traditional ovens, which can take a while to heat up and often cook at lower temperatures, wood-fired pizza ovens create an authentic pizza experience. They also add a rustic charm to your backyard, as cooking with live fire brings a sense of warmth and energy to the atmosphere. According to The Kitchn, wood-fired ovens also have the benefit of imparting a smoky flavor to your food, which adds depth and character to your meals. Whether you're cooking for a crowd or just enjoying a quiet night in, a pizza oven can be a valuable addition to your outdoor kitchen.
For those who love rich, smoky flavors, a smoker grill is an outdoor kitchen must-have. Smoking meat at low temperatures for extended periods results in deeply flavored dishes with a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Smoker grills are especially popular for preparing ribs, brisket, pulled pork, and other meats that require hours of slow cooking. There are a few different types of smoker grills, including offset smokers, vertical smokers, and pellet smokers. Each type has its own benefits. For example, offset smokers have a traditional design where the firebox is separate from the cooking chamber, allowing for indirect heat and smoke. Pellet smokers, on the other hand, use wood pellets for fuel and offer easier temperature control.
Pellet smokers have been gaining in popularity because of their user-friendliness and consistent results. BBQGuys reports that pellet smokers are a great option for beginners due to their digital temperature controls, allowing users to set the temperature and walk away. This makes pellet smokers ideal for long cooking times, where the food needs to cook slowly without constant attention. Regardless of the type of smoker you choose, these grills add a unique depth of flavor to meats, and their low-and-slow cooking method produces deliciously tender and flavorful results.
When choosing your outdoor kitchen equipment, it’s important to think about your personal cooking preferences and the types of meals you most enjoy preparing. Whether you’re grilling a quick dinner, smoking meats for hours, or creating the perfect pizza, there’s a piece of equipment to suit your needs. Outdoor kitchens are all about making cooking and entertaining a seamless, enjoyable experience. By investing in the right equipment, you can create an outdoor space that’s not only functional but also a true extension of your home, perfect for cooking, dining, and socializing with family and friends.
Ready to build your ideal outdoor kitchen? Integrity Pool Scapes can help you design and install the perfect cooking setup for your backyard. Whether you want a fully equipped outdoor kitchen or just a few key cooking surfaces, we’ll guide you every step of the way.
Contact us today to start designing the outdoor kitchen of your dreams!
Contact us now to discuss your project, whether it's for commercial or residential landscaping services. We're here to assist you.
