Privacy-Focused Patios for Somerville’s Dense Neighborhoods

Assessing Urban Lot Challenges

While homes in many of our local neighborhoods (Spring Hill, etc.) and cities (Powder House Square) are typically built close together, they are not always the same size. As a result, many lots are oddly shaped and have very little yard space. Because of the way the multi-level triple-decker style homes are constructed, homeowners often experience a “fishbowl” effect in which they are overlooked by residents of homes above them. Determining how much of each neighbor’s view is obstructed by the homeowner’s own yard is the first step toward creating a well-designed yard. A qualified contractor will map out the yard to determine the least visible areas of the yard for sitting or eating. By doing so, the contractor will be able to determine the optimal location of the slab to maximize the available privacy of the yard.

Designing Strategically

How you orient your hardscaping greatly affects the level of exposure you feel when you are relaxing in your yard. If the hardscaping is placed in conjunction with pre-existing fencing or garage walls, the natural barriers created will reduce street exposure. In addition, breaking up the yard into several, smaller levels of hardscaping rather than one large, flat surface creates separate zones and breaks lines of sight. The tiered method of hardscaping is especially successful in yards with slopes, as is commonly seen in our local area. The tiered method provides visual interest while providing an additional means of addressing slope-related grading problems.

Creating Vertical Concrete Walls

For maximum privacy, the design needs to include elements that reach upwards in addition to those that reach outward. Cast-in-place concrete walls are an excellent option for achieving visual separation from your neighbors’ yards immediately. Unlike wood fences that will eventually rot or warp, solid cast-in-place concrete walls provide a permanent barrier to sounds and sights from your neighbors. Additionally, these walls can be designed to double as retaining walls to stabilize the yard’s grade while also functioning as a seating wall. Planters can be integrated into the tops of these walls to add layers of vegetation and create a soft, organic screen behind the hardscaping.

Providing Anchors for Privacy Screens and Pergolas

Most patios are made up of more than just slabs; they consist of additional structures that increase the level of seclusion provided. For example, deep footings are needed to anchor large timbers or heavy metal privacy screens. While installing the footing for your anchors during the slab installation process, the overall aesthetic of the finished product is enhanced, and the structural integrity of the supporting structure is maximized. Pergolas can be equipped with retractable canopies or climbing vines to further reduce visibility from higher elevation points (second and third-story windows). Therefore, the overhead structures used to create an open yard become a protected outdoor room.

Choosing Materials for Acoustic Comfort

Privacy is not only determined by what you see; it is also affected by what you hear. The density of the urban environment produces a persistent background of traffic and general community activity. Dense masonry and paving materials provide sufficient mass to mitigate ambient noise and vibrations caused by the passing vehicles and pedestrians. In addition, selecting textured finishes such as exposed aggregate helps to dissipate sound waves better than a smooth finish. Together, the hardscape and a water feature can mask background sounds and create a sense of being far removed from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Reproducing the Appearance of Natural Stone

Many homeowners are concerned that the appearance of hardscape will be too industrial for a residential application. However, modern decorative techniques make it possible to reproduce the sophisticated appearance of natural stone products such as slate, flagstone, and cobblestone at a fraction of the cost. Customized stamped patterns can be developed to replicate the historical architectural characteristics of your home, combining innovative design with classic charm. Utilizing integral coloring eliminates the potential for fading and color mismatch in the slab and maintains the beauty of the product over time.

Creating Seamless Transitions Between Indoor and Outdoor Spaces

There is little doubt that extending the boundaries of your indoor living space works best when there is a logical flow of use from indoors to outdoors. Maintaining a consistent color scheme between the interior and exterior spaces of your home creates the illusion of a single, larger space. Providing sliding glass or French doors that connect to the hardscaping encourages homeowners to spend more time using the outdoor features of their home. Carefully grading the thresholds to avoid entry of water into the home while making the transition accessible to people of all ages enhances the feeling of a cohesive extension of the home.

Managing Rainwater Runoff

Rainwater management is a critical element of any development project in the City of Somerville. Excessive impervious surface area can cause ponding water on your property or create runoff issues for your neighbors if the surface is not properly pitched. Channel drains or dry wells provide efficient solutions to manage stormwater runoff during heavy rainfall events typical of New England winters. Increasingly popular, permeable concrete products allow water to penetrate directly through the slab and recharge the groundwater. These environmentally friendly products meet the City’s regulatory requirements for lot coverage while providing a dry and functional surface for homeowners.

Resisting Freeze/Thaw Cycles

The durability of your investment is dependent upon its ability to withstand the extreme temperatures and moisture associated with the freeze/thaw cycle of the Northeast. Water entering the tiny pore spaces of the hardscape can freeze and expand, causing damage to the surface or developing deep cracks. High-strength mixes with air entrainment agents designed specifically for this climate zone help to mitigate the effects of ice expansion. Reinforcing the hardscaping with steel rebar or wire mesh creates a stiff framework that can resist the movement of the underlying soil.

Low Maintenance for Busy Homeowners

Compared to wood decks and individual paver systems, one of the greatest benefits of hardscaping is the extremely low maintenance required to maintain the hardscaping. There are no weeds to remove from the joints, and no annual stain application is required to protect the wood from rot. An occasional cleaning and re-sealing of the hardscaping on a three-year cycle will maintain the appearance of the hardscaping for years to come. Busy homeowners will appreciate the ability to relax in their newly created outdoor space without the need to perform extensive yard work. This creates a “set it and forget it” solution for homeowners who wish to enjoy their property for years to come.

Navigating Municipal Regulations and Permitting Requirements

Hardscaping projects often trigger the need for municipal review to verify compliance with the City’s green space ratio regulations. Like many municipalities, Somerville has strict ordinances governing the amount of a residential lot that can be covered with impervious materials. Hiring a professional to assist in navigating the permitting process will enable homeowners to comply with these regulations quickly and without complications. Preparing and submitting complete site plans with accurate drainage calculations to the Building Department demonstrates responsible behavior and expedites the permitting process. Complying with municipal regulations now will prevent potential financial consequences when selling the property later.

Improving Your Personal Retreat

A small backyard turned into a personal retreat provides an increase to your quality of life and an increase to the value of your property. This process requires a team that has experience in working within the confines of established and compact neighborhoods. Every one of our projects will be treated as if it were our own home, so you can feel confident in our attention to detail. That includes our use of each of the materials used on the project, including all of the concrete finishes (texture and color), as well as the placement and finishing of each control joint. We are committed to providing you with a beautiful, functional area where you can relax in privacy. At Somerville Concrete Masters, we are prepared to assist you in transforming your yard into a relaxing and enjoyable living area with our experienced craftsmen.