Micropiles can be used on residential and commercial structural repairs, foundation repairs as well as new installations of foundations and structures. Micropiles are capable of withstanding significant axial loads as well as moderate lateral loads. Micropiles are the perfect choice for almost all new installations and structural, foundation repairs, because they also cause minimal to no disturbance to the adjacent soils and structures.

Uses of Micropiles

• Foundation Repairs
• Structural Repairs
• Seismic Retrofitting
• Support of Structures During Excavation, Tunneling and Dewatering
• Alternative to Traditional Underpinning Methods

Benefits of Micropiles

• Versatile process can be used in any ground condition, obstruction, incline or foundation
• Minimal vibration to foundation and subsoil
• Connection to existing and new structure is economical and simple
• Operations can be maintained by facility during construction

Alpine Companies also supplies all the engineering needed for your micropile projects. Give Alpine Companies a call today at 303-797-8908 for a free estimate on your next micropile project. Or, click here to contact us via email.

First, access holes are pre-drilled into the soil with a slight downward incline. Then, a soil nail (reinforced steel rod or rebar) is inserted into the pre drilled hole. Then the drilled hole is grouted with a specialized grout pumping process. Once the soil nails are installed and grouted in place, a process called shotcrete is used to spray concrete over the top of the soil as well as the installed soil nails. The shotcrete will permanently lock the soil and soil nails into one another to allow for safe access and construction.

Soil Nailing can be utilized for both commercial and residential applications.

• Soil Stabilization
• Slope Improvements
• Retaining Walls
• Sinking Foundations
• Tie Back Systems Similar to Helical Piers and Tie Backs
• Bowing Foundation Walls
• Preservation of Natural Areas
• Bridge Stabilization
• Shoring of Walls During Repairs
• Earth Retention System to Assist in Deep Excavations

Benefits of Soil Nails

• Installed with small scale equipment
• Quick installation process
• Helps to prevent ground loss
• Minimal soil displacement during process
• Can be installed underneath existing structures
• Process can be used as either as a temporary or permanent system

Alpine Companies also supplies all the engineering needed for your soil nailing projects. Give Alpine Companies a call today at 303-797-8908 for a free estimate on your next soil nails project. Or, click here to contact us via email.

The concrete shotcrete process is fast, clean and much more affordable than most other concrete process alternatives. The cement shotcrete process can be installed or applied all year long, without having to worry about the weather. The concrete used for the shotcrete process can also be colored for a perfect aesthetic match as well.

Shotcrete and gunite processes can be utilized for both commercial and residential applications.

Residential Shotcrete Applications

• Soil Stabilization
• Slope Improvements
• Retaining Walls
• Water Features
• Swimming Pool Installation and Repair
• Structural Foundation Repair
• Structural Walls
• Crawl Space Shoring
• Crawl Space to Basement Conversions

Commerical Shotcrete Applications

• Bridge Repair
• Retaining Walls
• Tunnels
• Canals
• Soil Stabilization
• Arch Culverts
• Structural Walls
• Swimming Pools

Alpine Companies also supplies all the engineering needed for your shotcrete projects. Give Alpine Companies a call today at 303-797-8908 for a free estimate on your next shotcrete project . Or, click here to contact us via email.

There are many options for outdoor stone fire pits. Shape, material, gas or wood burning and location are things to take into consideration when planning your stone fire pit.

Which Shape for Your Stone Fire Pit

• Round fire pits work very well in built-in, u shaped seating areas
• Square are not optimal for large seating areas. They better suited for more formal or structured garden areas.
• Rectangle fire pits can accommodate larger groups, are terrific for wall areas and work nicely with water features

Which Type of Stone?

• Flagstone is a flat, colorful stone that is also tough and durable
• Natural stones such as granite usually combine cement in the design
• Using marble and other polished stones creates an elegant, refined fire pit
• Manufactured stones such as paver stone or Pavestone give you many color and texture options

Gas or Wood Burning Fire Pit?

• Most fire pit designs can utilize either gas or wood so it mostly comes down to personal preference
• Fuel for gas fire pits can natural or propane
• Gas fire pits are safer and easier to use than wood fire pits
• Wood burning fire pits have a different, but not necessarily better ambiance than their gas counterparts
• Some municipalities do not allow wood burning fire pits so check before you decide
• If using the fire pit for cooking, wood is considered by many to be a better outdoor cooking fuel than gas

Where Should the Stone Fire Pit be Located?

• Situate the fire pits so it can be a focal point in your outdoor living area
• Consider the option of viewing it from indoors too
• For warmth, locating it closer to the main seating area is a good idea.
• For safety, don’t forget to take into consideration traffic areas, proximity to play areas and any area that is frequently in the path of prevailing winds.

A stone fire pit can be a fantastic addition to your home. As an experienced landscaping contractor, Alpine Companies has installed stone fire pits in Denver yards for over 40 years. If you need help designing and installing a stone fire pit in your yard, give Alpine Companies a call today at 303-797-8908 for a free estimate. Or, click here to contact us via email.

There are four types of concrete retaining walls, gravity, semi-gravity, cantilever and counterfort. The slope of your property and the desired height of the wall are both factors that determine which method used.

Gravity Concrete Retaining Walls

• Rely on their own weight to retain the soil
• Usually massive enough to not require reinforcement
• Are monolithic cast and generally formed on site
• Cost effective for walls up to 10 feet tall

Semi-Gravity Concrete Retaining Walls

• Contain some reinforcing steel
• Including steel helps reduce the thickness of the wall
• Blend of the cantilever and gravity wall types

Cantilever Concrete Retaining Walls

• Utilize reinforced concrete
• Consist of a thin stem and base slab
• Can be formed on site or precast
• Cost effective up to 25 feet tall

Counterfort Concrete Retaining Walls

• Similar to cantilever walls
• Incorporate thin vertical concrete webs
• Can be formed on site or precast
• Cost effective for walls over 25 feet tall

Decorative Poured Concrete Retaining Walls

Concrete walls do not need to be basic, gray and esthetically unpleasing. They are numerous decorative options that can be used on concrete retaining walls.

Using decorative form liners, contractors can mimic the look of natural and masonry stone such as brick, flagstone etc. The liners are available in various shapes and textures. Color can also be added to the concrete.

Installing poured concrete retaining walls is typically a project best left to the experts. As an experienced landscaping contractor, Alpine Companies has installed retaining walls in Denver yards for over 40 years. If you need help designing and installing your concrete retaining wall, give Alpine Companies a call today at 303-797-8908 for a free estimate. Or, click here to contact us via email.

Benefits of Hiring an Experienced Fencing Contractor for Your New Fence

Keeps you from possibly breaking the law!

Your city, county or township may require special permits and your HOA may require approval before a fence is constructed on your property. Not knowing these rules before the fence goes in can result in fines once the fence is completed. A fencing contractor will be familiar with the approval and permit process and can take care of it for you.

Saves you money on expensive, specialized equipment.

Fence construction, especially in rocky and hilly areas, can require special equipment like leveling and survey tools and excavation equipment for drilling the post holes. To speed up the process of installing a fence, pneumatic nailers are generally used too. These “guns” can be pricey and will add considerable cost to your DIY fence project.  Without a nailer, the fence will take you considerably longer (and with more muscle power) to construct. And, you may never use this equipment again. A fencing contractor has all these tools and knows how to use them!

With so many fencing options, how do you choose?

Wood or vinyl? Split rail or privacy? Cedar or Redwood? These are some of the decisions that have to be made before your start your fence project. An expereicne, knowledgeable fencing contractor can help you decide the type, style and materials used for your fence. The fencing contractor can also educate you on the various stains and paints available to help your fence look beautiful and last longer.

Do you even have the time?

Fences can take a long time to install. If you only have time on the weekends, then it could weeks before the fence is up. And, if you are replacing a fence and have dogs you need to keep fenced in, having a your fence incomplete for weeks will mean lots of dog walking! A fencing contractor can get your fence completed during the week while you are work; usually in a few days.

That’s right, I do not know how to install a fence, but I could learn, right?

Fencing contractors have the knowledge and experience to install a fence with professional results. And, if you have challenging terrain in your yard (which is common here in Denver), you will surely benefit from the fencing contactor’s expertise. These contractors know which tools, fasteners, hardware and installation techniques to use to ensure that your fence both looks beautiful and stands up to weather, time and usage.

Installing a fence can be large, difficult project for any homeowner. As an experienced Fencing Contractor, Alpine Companies has installed thousands of fences in Denver yards for over 40 years. If you need help designing and installing your fence, give Alpine Companies a call today at 303-797-8908 for a free estimate. Or, click here to contact us via email.

In addition to the simple wood board fences, there are many options for wood fences.

Wood Privacy Fences

• For privacy, these wood fences should are generally between 4 and 6 feet tall and to reduce visibility, the solid boards (slats) should have no space in between each other.
• Wood privacy fences come in many beautiful board patterns: shadow box, horizontal slats and board on board. The shadow box pattern (pictured at right) is the most installed wood fence in Denver.
• Some of the style options for the tops of wood privacy fences are: concave, convex, double concave, alternating gothic top edge, stockade (pointed), flat top, dog-eared, decorative top with lattice or other pattern.
• Board widths for wood privacy fences can range from 2.5 inches to 8 inches. And your choice of board thicknesses is 5/8”, 11/16”, ¾” and 1 inch.
• Wood privacy fences can be stained a variety of colors, from clear coat to a dark redwood or painted in a color of your choice.
• Pressure treated, pine, spruce, cypress, redwood and cedar are common woods used for wood privacy fences.

Wood Picket Fences

• Generally 3-4 feet tall with a board size of 2.5 inches to 5 inches.
• The space between the pickets is typically more than one inch.
• Typically, stockade (pointed) tops are used but flat top, gothic and dog-eared tops are options as well.
• Wood picket fence tops can also be concave or convex.
• Most people think of a “white picket fence” but wood picket fences can be painted any color, left natural with just a clear coat or stained in a variety of colors.
• Pressure treated, cedar and redwood are common woods used for wood picket fences.

Split Rail Wood Fences

• This type of fence is the “original” American fence used since Colonial times.
• Very cost effect wood fence for defining property boundaries, maintaining livestock and decorative fencing.
• Split rail wood fences can be very rustic, constructed from timber logs usually split lengthwise into rails.
• Ideal for hard or rocky ground, they can be built with no hardware or nails. Concrete is generally not needed for the posts.
• Typical woods for split rail wood fences are cedar, poplar, spruce, southern yellow pine and other hardwoods.

Installing a wood fence can be large project for any homeowner. Alpine Companies has installed thousands of fences in Denver yards for over 40 years. If you need help designing and installing your wood fence, give Alpine Companies a call today at 303-797-8908 for a free estimate. Or, click here to contact us via email.

• Create a cozier backyard environment
• Obscure or hide our daily activities and entertaining from neighbors who may be watching
• Confine a large dog or other pets inside your backyard
• A safe play environment for your children
• A noise barrier from noisy neighbors, parks and roads

No matter what the reason, a privacy fence can be a functional and esthetically pleasing addition to your Denver backyard. Privacy fences are typically between 4 and 6 feet tall, should have no space between the boards (to reduce visibility) and are constructed from wood or vinyl.

Wood Privacy Fences

• Wood fences will stand up well to the strong winds we experience in Denver. They also act as wind screen for your yard.
• Wood privacy fences come in many beautiful patterns. The shadow box pattern (pictured at right) is the most installed wood fence in Denver.
• Once installed, wood privacy fences can be stained a variety of colors, from clear coat to a dark redwood.
• Wood fence posts will last much longer and are extremely durable if they’re set in concrete; we’ll ask your building department where you live for their standards for fence posts, but we always recommend fence post set in concrete.
• Wood privacy fences should be installed approximately 4 inches inside your property line, or installed in the same place as the old fence whenever you’re replacing an old fence.

Vinyl Privacy Fences

• Vinyl privacy fences are can be distinctively different from their wood counterparts.  This gives you the opportunity to have a privacy fence that stands out from your neighbors.
• Vinyl fencing is available in wood fence textures and styles like picket fences, ranch fences, slatted fences, etc. The choices are endless, so let your imagination run wild when choosing vinyl fences.
• Vinyl fencing is extremely easy to maintain and will give you years of worry free service.  Soap and water once a year is all that’s needed to maintain a vinyl fence.

Be sure to check with your HOA before you install a privacy fence in your Denver backyard. Many HOA’s have rules and regulations regarding the size, pattern and color of fencing.

Installing a privacy fence can be large project for any homeowner. Alpine Companies has installed thousands of fences in Denver yards for over 40 years. If you need help designing and installing your privacy fence, give Alpine Companies a call today at 303-797-8908 for a free estimate. Or, click here to contact us via email.

• Start with a plan! Even though you may be working on your landscaping in stages, have a comprehensive plan is vital. The plan does not need to be extremely detailed outlining every plant and every stone, but it should indicate where the hardscaping (non-plant elements in your landscaping), plantings, walkways and other areas are going to be.
• Manage your growth! Reduce the time you spend pruning and trimming by choosing shrubs and trees that will grow to a size that fits your space. When planning your landscape, make sure to take into consideration the size your plantings will be at maturity. They many look fantastic now when they are small, but later when your trees and shrubs are full-grown, they may turn your yard into a forest and overwhelm both your yard and your house.
• Cut back on sod. A nice green lawn is beautiful and your kids will love it but sod is also consumes a considerable amount of time, water and nutrients. Keep you grass area small and fill in the areas with planting beds of low-maintenance perennials, trees and shrubs.
• Variety is the spice of life, and your yard! Even though you may love a certain flower or shrub, planting too much of the same thing can make your yard boring throughout different parts of the seasons. Once the buds drop (all over the yard) what will you have to look at? Mix it up!
• Show some depth. One-dimensional planting (planting the same size plants throughout the bed) lacks visual interest and depth. Instead, plant smaller plants in the front and put progressively large plants behind them. In doing the multi-dimensional planting, be sure to mix up the varities taking into consideration the colors and textures of each plant.

If you need help design, planting and maintaining your Denver backyard landscaping, give Alpine Companies a call today at 303-797-8908.

So how can be assured you will pick the “right” color for your walls? Here are some tips to help you pick a paint color you will love!

Use a color found in the largest patterned item in your room. Your large rug, couch or even wall hanging can be the inspiration of the paint color for of your room. You don’t necessarily have to use the “exact” color either. You may want use a darker or lighter version of the color. For neutral colored walls, look to the white, gray or beige areas of your focal point for color choices.

Use colors you love! If the focal object you are using for inspiration in your room has yellow and green in it, and you hate yellow, choose green. Although you loathe the color yellow, you can probably live with in a rug but you will hate the yellow on the walls. And, if the colors in your focal object are not really your favorites, you may want to consider getting a new focal point in your room.

When deciding on the value of the color you have chosen (light blue or dark blue for example) consider that spaces look best when the color values are darker on the floors and progressively get light as you move to the ceiling. Dark floors go well with medium value walls colors and light ceilings. If your floor is a lighter value, you will want to go lighter on the walls and even lighter on the ceiling.

If you are considering using multiple colors for your rooms, consult the color wheel. Start by finding your first chosen color on the wheel (the one you picked from you patterned item in the room) and then work around the color wheel until you find inspiration. Color opposite from each other on the wheel (complimentary) will create drama. Colors next to each other (analogous) will create a more casual, relaxing feel.

Be yourself and don’t feel you need to follow the “trends” in interior design. If love purple and can make your room work with purple walls, then paint them purple, even if teal, brown, yellow and red are all the rage in interior design. It is your room and you have to live in it everyday.

In case you do want to paint your room in the most popular colors of today, HGTV.com says the following colors are most popular on their website:

• Soft yellow
• Bright pink
• Cool gray
• Sea foam green
• Rich, deep brown

Do you need help choosing interior paint colors for your Denver. Alpine Companies can help you help you choose the perfect colors and then do all the interior painting for you. Contact Alpine Companies for your free interior painting estimate today 303-797-8908.