Create Amazing Outdoor Living Spaces!
“Hope springs eternal”, wrote Alexander Pope, meaning, we hope regardless of tough times. And “the soul rests and expatiates in a life to come”. (Now, we had to look that up.) Expatiates: to speak or write at length. So, with a new season here and hope springing eternal, we’re expatiating on designing beautiful outdoor spaces. Let’s get outdoors and create places that we can enjoy this year and for many years to come!
You may know us for residential brick, but General Shale also offers high-quality products for outdoor hardscape, outdoor fireplaces and fire pits and simple accent projects too. From beautiful Watsontown and General Shale pavers, to versatile outdoor stone, to our gorgeous Adair® limestone from Arriscraft, we have an inspiring collection.
Outdoor Living Spaces are a Smart Investment!
A well-designed outdoor space not only elevates enjoyment of your home, but it also delivers big upon resale. Some experts suggest an ROI of around 100%* for patios, decks, outdoor kitchens and nearly 80% on firepits. Let’s face it, we humans are drawn to spending time in nature. In fact, according to a 2014 survey, 98% of buyers include either a deck or patio on their wish list**. And that’s pre-pre-pandemic. Our point being: investing in your outdoor space will pay off when you go to sell.
*extraspace.com
**2014 Residential Landscape Architecture Trends Survey
Watsontown Brick Company Pavers
If authentic, old world charm appeals to you, please check out our gorgeous and unique Watsontown Brick Company pavers. Choose from a wide range of colors and blends to lay the perfect patio or walkway that delivers oodles of character. Plus, natural clay brick lasts for decades and is virtually maintenance free. Here’s a peek at our selection:
General Shale Brick and Concrete Pavers
Our robust selection gives you the creative freedom to create your own look. Add traditional charm with a pathway or patio using our natural brick pavers. Or, select from our beautiful concrete pavers and design a seamless outdoor living space that incorporates steps, walls, kitchens, and even a fireplace or fire pit kit – all using co-ordinating stone. Check out the options online.
Arriscraft Adair® Limestone
Our sister company Arriscraft quarries and finishes a remarkable range of natural limestone products. The Adair® product line is available through our General Shale dealers and you can find some great inspiration and product details online. Adair limestone features a high SRI or Solar Reflective Index, meaning it stays cools even during intense summer heat. So, for premium pool decks and hardscape steps and patios, Adair limestone is an ideal choice. Nature is so brilliant!
Outdoor Fireplaces and Fire Pits
The heart of outdoor living is the hearth! If you are planning a new build, consider designing an outdoor fireplace using the same or complimentary brick.Here’s a beautiful example of an all-brick outdoor fireplace. Notice how the builder @deancustomhomes chose the accent brick color from the home’s exterior. Beautiful!
For upgrading your outdoor space, check out our General Shale fireplace kits. For a large focal point, you can design a grand fireplace (below) that includes a wood storage and a seating area too.
For a fun family, weekend project, why not create a new fire pit feature? You can set it up this spring and enjoy it all year. We also have mailboxes, garden columns and bench kits that are a simple way to boost your curb appeal.
Whatever your plans are – a grand new build or some weekend fun – we hope that we inspired you to get creative with General Shale. We like to think we’ve got something for everyone! Have fun planning your outdoor living project and contact your dealer, distributor or representative for more information. If you’re ready to buy, we’ve just launched the General Shale Online Shop!