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Gator Base: A More Sustainable, Cost-Effective, and Labour Reducing Way To Install Pavers

As a landscape business owner, I am always looking for more efficient ways to complete projects without compromising the high standards I have set for myself. And a vital component of my company’s core values is to continuously strive for environmental sustainability.  Luckily, Gator Base is an excellent product that allows for a more sustainable, cost-effective, and labour minimizing option for paving. 

I have known about Gator Base for the past several years, but I must admit that I was a bit skeptical. Luckily, this past February – I had the opportunity to attend a seminar to learn more about Gator Base. I am now convinced that this new way of building is not only much better for the environment, but it can also greatly reduce labour costs. 

How Is Gator Base Better For The Environment? 

A traditional interlocking stone installation would require a minimum of six inches of crushed stone, in addition to a couple of inches of screenings before laying down a paver. With a Gator Base installation, the six inches of crushed stone is eliminated. This means that there will be less machines excavating native soil. There will be less large diesel trucks hauling material. Less native soil will be dumped into our landfill sites. Less crushed stone will be quarried from the ground. And the best part is that each one of these factors positively impacts our environment! 

How Does Gator Base Help Reduce Labour? 

As per the reasons mentioned above – less labour means less costs will be associated with the installation of paving projects. Furthermore, without the need to excavate as much native soil, there is a huge reduction in wear and tear on heavy equipment like skid steers. Not to mention less wear and tear on company trucks and trailers. And most importantly, less wear and tear on your labour force – meaning less fatigue and less WSIB claims. And for all these reasons, it seems like using Gator Base is an absolute no brainer. 

Does Gator Base Perform Better Than A Traditional Build?   

At the seminar I attended we were presented with some facts – which I will happily share with you. In the five years since Gator Base has been available in Ontario, they have had zero claims against them. The sample size is quite large as well – 527,000 square feet of pavers have been installed on Gator Base during this time frame alone and with zero claims. This caught my attention. I would never introduce a new product if its performance was less than a standard crushed stone build. Additionally, this product is now endorsed by Unilock and Techo Bloc, which are two of the top leaders in the paving stone industry. 

From now on, I will be using Gator Base on all my patio, walkway, and pool installations.  

Additional Benefits of Gator Base Include: 

  • It reduces the amount of freeze thaw cycles due to its R 3.6 insulating value 
  • It is manufactured using lightweight high–density polypropylene 
  • It is permeable 

To learn more about Gator Base, please visit their website.  

If you would like to continue this conversation further, please leave a comment below or connect with us on Facebook. I would love to hear your thoughts. And as always, feel free to give us a call today to see how we can make your backyard oasis come to life. 

Call: (289) 338-9741 

Email: admin@markshomeimprovement.ca 

Until Next Time,  

Mark

Image courtesy of Gator Base.

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Welcome to Stone Orchard Landscaping

In March 2003, I embarked on an entrepreneurial journey into the world of landscaping. I started out with great visions of building award winning, magazine worthy backyards. Instead, reality set in and my first few years comprised of cutting grass and shoveling snow. I knew this was the right industry for me but to realize those dreams I needed more skills, better education and some hard-earned experience.

I took a job with a young start up construction company. It was everything I had hoped it would be and then that much more. I became a project manager of my own crew, learned to operate heavy machinery, learned to read blue prints, health and safety, labor laws, and so much more.  We built bridges throughout southern Ontario, built culverts and built custom homes. During this time, I still worked my landscaping business during weekends. I never ever gave up my dream to return to the landscape industry where my real passion was and to this day remains.

In 2012 I was back full time into landscape and landscape construction. This time I was an expert at driving a bobcat, adept at using an excavator. I could cut stone and brick with the very best of them, I was ready. I went door to door with flyers and my business and clientele grew by word of mouth. To this very day that is how I have acquired business. I do not have a web site and only use Facebook as my Internet footprint. That had to change.

Introducing Our New Branding & Website

I knew I needed to re brand my business and launch a modern web site. I met with Deanna Simone from Rosewood Small Business Marketing Services and I knew immediately they were exactly what I needed. I am an excellent craftsman, but I am not tech savvy. I could not be happier having Deanna and her team help build my brand.

I have learned a lot over the years. And I continue to self educate to keep up with the latest trends and newest products. I look forward to communicating interesting news and trends from the world of landscape design and construction. I thank you all for following me on this great journey.

Mark Calhoun

Stone Orchard Landscaping

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