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Pratt Guys embarked on the project. The first part of the process involved locating any underground utili - ties. Once this was completed, they began the excavation process and dug a continuous 12" by 12" trench around the perimeter. Once the trench was dug and compacted, the Pratt brothers installed crushed concrete. "This material compacts extremely hard to form a suf- ficient base to properly support the retaining wall," Adam Pratt said. For the retaining wall, the Pratts used hardscape blocks in a color called sierra. Commercial filter cloth was then installed behind the wall to prevent erosion from backfill seeping through the crevices of the wall. Then 8" by 8" posts for the pergola were installed in the ground, and the rest of the patio was backfilled with paver fines. The Pratt Guys prop - erly graded and compacted it with a 1-inch slope per 10 feet for good drainage. Prior to the graded paver fines, their electrical contractor pre- ran the underground conduit. After all the ground was graded to perfection, the Pratt Guys then cre- ated the outdoor kitchen, also with sierra colored blocks. "All of our kitchens are only built out of the best products," Adam Pratt said, "all concrete construction, to provide clients with an outdoor kitchen with many years of outdoor entertainment." Once the kitchen was completed, the pavers were installed for the en- tire patio area. The Pratt Guys used a paver called Mega Olde Towne, also in a sierra color. The seating wall was built, and Munich blocks, in a color called oak run, were used for the 30-inch fire pit. The rest of the per- gola and the low voltage lighting fixtures from VOLT Landscape Lighting were installed about this time as well. The pergola is 17' by 17' with a span of 12' by 12'. The pergola struc- ture is comprised of 8" by 8", 2" by 12", 2" by 10", and 2" by 2" timbers that are perpendicular to one another and interlock for greater strength and stability. "All the wood is pressure-treated pine. However, cypress and cedar make for a great pergola as well," Adam Pratt said. Finally, the patio was pressure-washed, and a sealant was applied to enhance the pavers. The Pratt brothers re-sodded unpaved, open ar- eas around the patio, and even installed greenery in a planter to cap the project. "When we think about creating the ideal backyard oasis, no hardscape product does it better than Stonegate Country Manor," Jason Pratt said. "This innovative system transforms a backyard into the ultimate space for entertaining and relaxing." Left: 8" x 8" posts for the pergola were installed in the ground, and the rest of the patio was backfilled with paver fines. The Pratt Guys graded and compacted the patio with a 1-inch slope per 10 feet for good drainage. Prior to the graded paver fines, an electrical contractor installed the underground conduit. After the ground was graded, the Pratts created the outdoor kitchen, also with sierra colored blocks. The pergola is 17' x 17' with a span of 12' x 12'. The pergola structure is comprised of 8" x 8", 2" x 12", 2" x 10", and 2" x 2" timbers that are perpendicular to one another and interlock for greater strength and stability. All the wood is pressure- treated pine. Middle: After the kitchen was completed, the pavers were installed for the patio area. The Pratt Guys used a paver called Mega Olde Towne, also in the sierra color, and then built the seating wall. The rest of the pergola and the low voltage lighting fixtures from VOLT Landscape Lighting were installed about this time as well. The 30-inch fire pit, in a color called oak run, and the kitchen appliances were then installed. Bottom: To put the finishing touches on this project, the patio was pressure-washed, and a sealant was applied to enhance the pavers. The Pratt Brothers re-sodded unpaved areas around the patio, and installed greenery in some planters. 52 LC DBM DBM LC (Continued from page 50)