Fire Features: The Biggest Impact
Nothing extends the outdoor season like fire. A built-in fire pit or outdoor fireplace makes your patio usable on 40-degree evenings that would otherwise drive you inside. In the Twin Cities, that means an extra 6-8 weeks of outdoor living per year — 3-4 weeks in early spring and another 3-4 in late fall. Natural gas fire pits are the most convenient: flip a switch and you have flames with no smoke, no ash, and no hauling firewood.
Covered Structures
A pergola with a retractable canopy or a permanent roof structure protects you from light rain and provides shade on hot summer days. We install cedar and aluminum pergolas, as well as fully roofed pavilions with integrated lighting and ceiling fans. A covered space also protects your outdoor furniture and extends its lifespan significantly.
Landscape Lighting
When the sun sets at 5 PM in October, your backyard goes dark whether or not it's cold. Low-voltage LED landscape lighting lets you use and enjoy your outdoor space after sunset. Path lights guide your steps, uplights on trees create drama and depth, and string lights over a dining area set the mood. A full lighting package typically costs $2,500-$6,000 and transforms how you use your yard.
Windbreaks and Privacy
Wind is the real enemy of outdoor comfort in Minnesota. Even on a 55-degree day, a 15 mph wind makes it feel like 40. Strategic evergreen plantings (arborvitae, spruce) or a decorative privacy wall on the windward side of your patio can make a dramatic difference. We design windbreaks that look intentional and beautiful — not like a fortress wall.