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Local Favorites Capitalize on Outdoor Space with StruXure Pergolas

Three restaurants recently received an exciting innovation to their outdoor seating area! Knutsen Outdoor installed luxury StruXure pergolas at Duke’s Riverside, Dockside Willies and Tequila Willies. These projects were completed in June of 2024.

The local eateries boast sweeping views of the Susquehanna River that customers can enjoy while they dine, and StruXure pergolas, with their louvered, automated tops, will enhance the experience for patrons.

The louvered roof of a StruXure pergola X can be configured to match the weather – it can open to allow sunshine to stream in and warm diners, or in the event of an unexpected rainstorm, it can close to protect patrons and allow them to continue enjoying their meal and their view in dry comfort. The completed StruXure project adds major benefits to the outdoor seating season.  During days with inclement weather where a shower might have closed the outdoor area, the restaurants can keep the space open, utilizing those outdoor tables and continuing to maximize their revenue. Comfortable seating providing shade or protection from inclement weather can easily double the season which means increased revenue!  In addition to the “nice weather” season, the  “off” season doesn’t need to be so off anymore if you add some screens and heaters!

StruXure smart pergolas are an excellent addition to any outdoor commercial space. Not only does it create a sleek and comfortable atmosphere for patrons, but it also expands the possibilities for the uses of those outdoor spaces which are otherwise dictated by the weather.

Particularly for restaurants, capitalizing on the amount of usable space can directly increase revenue. For instance, if an outdoor patio with 8 tables normally brings in a net revenue of $1,440 a day when occupied, a passing shower or a hot sunny day may force the establishment to close the patio and miss out on over a thousand dollars, whereas with a StruXure pergola, the roof can be securely closed, patrons can be protected from inclement weather, and ultimately no income is forfeited. Not only is this beneficial for commercial spaces, but it also increases the likelihood of paying down the cost of installing the StruXure pergola far sooner!

Smart Motorized pergolas can be game changers and thanks to their state-of-the-art design and options for customization, they are an excellent addition to any business with regularly utilized outdoor space. Smart pergolas help you redefine your outdoor area and unlock your space’s true potential.

If you’re interested in discovering what’s possible and getting a project estimate for your own smart pergola, contact us at  717-864-4231 today.

It’s time to start imagining the possibilities.

Take It Easy: More Enjoyable Space, Less Stress

It’s nearly summer, and you are wondering how you can make the most out of your backyard and enjoy the beautiful months ahead to the fullest.

You are not alone!

Most Americans, according to recent national polls and internet trends, are wondering the same thing! People across the country are craving outdoor space that has the comfortability and functionality they enjoy inside their homes. Creating an outdoor space in which they can relax and entertain has become a top priority.

No matter what your situation, Knutsen Outdoor can help you get in on the summer fun and make your backyard a sweet escape for you and a fabulous place to entertain your family and friends!

The first step is to start with a firm foundation.

Green grass is gorgeous, but wouldn’t it look classy to have a patch of pavers on which to place a patio table and chairs? That one enhancement could define the dining area for your outdoor space and set it apart as a focal point and gathering area. You can choose patterns and styles that either match or simply complement the exterior of your home and give cohesion to your indoor and outdoor spaces.

The next step is to go with a natural flow.

Plants and flowers are essential in outdoor décor! They look stunning, whether they’re placed in pretty pot, dangling overhead, wildly trickling through a trellis, or neatly placed as the perfect centerpiece for your patio table. Additionally, free-standing, outdoor hydroponic gardens are a fantastic conversation piece and have the two-fold benefit of being both decorative and functional as they yield delicious produce!

Last, but not least, finish with style.

Get creative with small but distinct accents of elegance! A few strands of white, glowing garden lights overhead can give just enough light for added ambience without distracting from the natural beauty of the night sky. Strategically placed landscape lighting installed by our team of experts can allow you to enjoy the atmosphere you’ve created well into the night!

Looking for more inspiration? We are here to assist you in planning the outdoor space that is right for you. At Knutsen Outdoor, we have the expertise to determine what design features would work best for your yard.

Making your outdoor space a place of rest and relaxation should not be stressful. Let us handle the big things. It’s what we do best! Call us today for a consultation and learn about the many services we provide.

 

Source:  https://warwickonline.com/stories/3-easy-ways-to-update-your-outdoor-entertaining-space,172517

Inside Out: How to Bring Indoor Comfort to Your Outdoor Space

Cozying up in front of a fire with a blanket and your favorite book. Gathering around the dining table with family and friends for a delicious home-cooked meal. Telling stories while playing board games and laughing until your sides ache. These are just a few descriptors of time well spent at home.

Now, what would it look like to take these comforts, usually unique to the inside of your home, and extend them to your backyard? Knutsen Outdoor can help make this a reality!

Envision the scenes above, but this time, try a new backdrop. A canopy of stars in the glow of the moonlight as you sit by the fire, perhaps? Sharing a meal surrounded by glorious sunshine and brightly blooming flowers in your garden bed? Just imagine preparing dinner on the grill while your family and friends are swimming and playing yard games until you announce, “Dinner is served!”

Your sense of “home” has taken on a new meaning and countless possibilities by moving your indoor living outdoors! The size of your livable space has grown significantly, as well as your home’s capacity to entertain and enjoy the people you love most.

What would it take to make this dream of optimal outdoor living a reality?

According to The West Side Journal, there are five main ways for homeowners to enhance to their outdoor living experience:

1)    Invest in lawncare. The value of your yard increases exponentially with this one step!

2)   Choose low-maintenance furniture or outdoor structures. Our StruXure pergolas are a perfect example of outdoor structures that last and require very little maintenance.

3)   Install a firepit. Crisp fall and breezy spring evenings just got cozier! We have several options, including smokeless and gas with a push-button ignition feature.

4)   Hire a landscaper. Softscaping your yard can be likened to decorating the walls of your home! It makes the space inviting and interesting. View our Landscaping Project Gallery to get inspired!

5)  Put in a pool. If you are planning to add this feature, consider contacting us for Design-to-Build Pool landscaping before you call the pool company.  We can add lighting, walkways, rocks, waterfalls, and fire features! The options are practically endless!

In addition to the extension of your living space and your family’s increased enjoyment by adding these elements, you can have peace of mind that all these improvements are wise investments. Should you ever need to sell your home, these features will be extremely desirable to prospective buyers.

Now, how do you begin?

The first step is to give us a call!

At Knutsen Outdoor, we are experts in making your outdoor dreams come true. Our qualified professionals are here to listen to your ideas and answer any questions you may have. We can develop a plan to fit your lifestyle and start you on your way to making your outdoor space more beautiful, functional, and marketable than you ever imagined! Call us today!

Source:  https://www.thewestsidejournal.com/lifestyle/5-outdoor-projects-that-add-value/article_0c533ce4-b5a9-11ec-9b0b-bb9c44daded0.html

Beyond Curb Appeal: Why Yards Are Ranking High with Homeowners

If you’ve ever read a home improvement magazine or watched any sort of real estate-related reality show, you’ve learned how important first impressions are when it comes to a home’s charm and marketability. People are quick to judge a house by its “cover” and that largely includes the yard. Knutsen Outdoor can help increase your curb appeal to make a dynamite first impression!

Whether they are potential buyers looking for a new home or neighbors passing by on an evening stroll, they are undoubtedly assessing each house’s curb appeal. Green, lush, weed-free lawns are certainly smiled upon. Sculpted hedges and eye-catching floral arrangements are highly desirable, and just the right lighting to showcase all the best botanical features is certainly a plus!

Even when we have no plans of selling our home, society has trained us to crave silent affirmation from passersby. But is that what matters most to homeowners: what other people are thinking about their homes?

Not anymore!

According to a poll conducted by The Harris Poll and commissioned by the TurfMutt Foundation, an overwhelming 76% of homeowners agree that their outdoor space is one of the most important aspects of their homes; however, it’s not because they want to “keep up with the Joneses.”

Do homeowners still want their homes and yards to be beautiful? Absolutely! However, the motivation stems less from the desire to impress and more from a priority much closer to home: the enjoyment of the families living in them!

Homeowners across America have begun to dream of ways to make their yards a respite and retreat, a seeming expansion of their indoor living space, and a hotspot for entertaining extended family and friends.

Why the sudden surge in enhancing our outdoor experiences?

You guessed it. Finding ourselves suddenly homebound in recent years has awakened us to the freedom and refreshment we find in nature. Spending so much time at home has caused us to regard our dwellings differently, and apparently, more reverently.

Home has become a sanctuary rather than a showpiece. The days of viewing yard maintenance as just another unticked box on the “to-do” list may be bygone. Enthusiasm has been breathed into the backyard experience! What once seemed a chore to appease the roving eyes of strangers is now stirring a homeowner’s passion for possibilities.

So, what do homeowners want for their yards, specifically?

Homeowners want more. Literally, more.

An overwhelming 72% of Americans agree that when it comes to their yards, they want more yard. However, we know that’s not always possible. If your yard is not as large as you’d like it to be, the key is to use the space you have to its full potential.

That’s where we come in!

Knutsen Outdoor knows how to maximize your outdoor living space! We are experts in combining the elements of form, functionality, and livability you desire. Reach out to our team today and let’s get started on making your backyard dreams a reality!

Source:  https://www.builderonline.com/design/consumer-trends/new-survey-finds-yards-are-one-of-the-most-important-home-areas_o

A winter soak for your hot tub

Sinking into a cozy hot tub is the perfect way to relax after a crisp fall day or even a day of shoveling snow… as long as the snow isn’t still falling onto your head! How can you better enjoy your hot tub year-round?

A louvered pergola over your hot tub is the perfect addition to your backyard. With our state-of-the-art technology, you can adjust it to provide cover and keep your hot tub clear of winter’s worst while still using the warmth of the sun in the afternoon to aid in heat absorption.

Our louvered pergolas also come in handy if that fall drizzle or winter snow tries to hinder your relaxation plans. All you have to do is close the pergola until you’re finished enjoying your time in the hot tub. Our unique state-of-the-art louvered pergolas allow you to truly outsmart the season, and soak up every minute of hot tub enjoyment.

At Knutsen Outdoor, we are always exploring new ways to enrich your experience working with us to achieve the property of your dreams. That’s why we are so excited to continue bringing you premier service by partnering with StruXure, as their exclusive dealer in the Lancaster, Lebanon, Harrisburg, and York area.

At Knutsen, we are always expanding the scope of our business, in order to bring you, your family, or your business the newest and most innovative services as possible. Along with StruXure, we guarantee comprehensive planning, proper installation, and better design. As always, our top priority is your satisfaction, and your confidence in a job well done.

Shrubs can make or break your space

If you’re ready to embark on a long-held landscaping dream – to beautify your lawn and make it the property of your dreams – don’t neglect one very important consideration: shrub choice.

Shrub selection may not be at the forefront of your mind when considering what plants to incorporate into your landscape plans, but there are several important considerations to keep in mind.

  1. Don’t select too many species of shrubs. Incorporating too many species of shrubs on your property can look chaotic and it can detract when the overall aesthetic. At the most, aim for no more than seven or eight different types.
  2. Consider the size of the mature shrub. Ideally, it’s best to determine what size shrub you’d like to fill a space – in terms of height and width – and then select a shrub that will not exceed those specifications, with some regular minimal pruning.
  3. Don’t overprioritize flowering. At the most, shrubs typically bloom for two to three weeks out of the year. Some homeowners put too much stock in selecting shrubs for their flowers, but it actually makes more sense in the long run to select shrubs that are the most attractive without their flowers. Remember – those lovely flowers will only live for a short amount of time!
  4. Ponder how the shrub will look with other shrubs or plants surrounding it. When planning your outdoor landscape, it’s best to consider it holistically rather than evaluating each plant individually. What’s most important is how each shrub will compliment the surroundings, rather than detract from them.
  5. Keep texture in mind. Just like fabric, plants have their own unique textures, which contribute to the overall style of a landscape. For instance, smaller leaves often cause a shrub to have a smoother visual texture. Consider whether you’re attempting to make a bold, dramatic statement with your shrubs, or a sleek, calming statement, and utilize varying textures to your advantage.
  6. Remember – long rows of shrubbery are considered “out.” In the past, most shrubs were planted in single rows across the front of a dwelling, it’s not considered to be far more visually appealing to plant shrubs in clusters throughout the property. This approach adds dimension and variation to your landscape.

Regardless of the size of your property or your landscaping goals, shrubs shouldn’t be chosen arbitrarily.

At Knutsen Outdoor, we can help you weigh your options in order to determine the best shrub selection for your property. Carefully considering your plant selections will help transform your space into the aesthetic and peaceful oasis you’re imagining.

Source: https://www.star-telegram.com/entertainment/home-garden/article255484896.html

Don’t let a summer storm cancel your culinary plans!

You’ve invited all of your family over for a cookout in your outdoor kitchen but to your dismay, you discover that rain is in the forecast. Don’t let a summer storm cancel your culinary plans!

A louvered pergola offers the best of both worlds – dinner outside, with no worries about getting damp. Simply close the pergola overhead to keep yourself, your guests, and your kitchen dry while you cook and dine, and enjoy the soothing sound of rain surrounding the festivities.

Once the storm is over, open the pergola up to let in the sunshine. You’ll be cozy and dry the whole time. Your kitchen – and your guests – will appreciate it!

At Knutsen Landscaping, we are always exploring new ways to enrich your experience working with us to achieve the property of your dreams. That’s why we are so excited to continue bringing you premier service by partnering with StruXure, as their exclusive dealer in the Lancaster, Lebanon, Harrisburg, and York area.

At Knutsen, we are always expanding the scope of our business, in order to bring you, your family, or your business the newest and most innovative services as possible. Along with StruXure, we guarantee comprehensive planning, proper installation, and better design. As always, our top priority is your satisfaction, and your confidence in a job well done.

Never too hot for a hot tub

Sinking into a frothy hot tub is the perfect way to relax after a full morning of summer yard work or after swimming a few laps in the pool. But it’s easy to get a tad overheated whilst enjoying your hot tub if the sun is glaring down on you from overhead.

That’s why a louvered pergola is the perfect addition to your backyard. With our state-of-the-art technology, you can adjust it to achieve the perfect blend of sun and shade for your hot tub dip.

Our louvered pergolas also come in handy if that summer drizzle in the forecast arrives a little early. All you have to do is close the pergola until you’re finished enjoying your time in the hot tub. Our unique state-of-the-art louvered pergolas allow you to truly outsmart the season, and soak up every minute of summer enjoyment.

At Knutsen Landscaping, we are always exploring new ways to enrich your experience working with us to achieve the property of your dreams. That’s why we are so excited to continue bringing you premier service by partnering with StruXure, as their exclusive dealer in the Lancaster, Lebanon, Harrisburg, and York area.

At Knutsen, we are always expanding the scope of our business, in order to bring you, your family, or your business the newest and most innovative services as possible. Along with StruXure, we guarantee comprehensive planning, proper installation, and better design. As always, our top priority is your satisfaction, and your confidence in a job well done.

Don’t let the sun stop your swimming

Ah, the heat of summer. The dazzling brightness of the sun overhead. The inviting coolness of the pool. It’s all picturesque and dreamy…but not for your skin!

Sunburn is one of the drawbacks to spending a long day soaking up the sun’s rays, as you leisurely float around on a raft in your pool. But if you have a louvered pergola, you never have to fear a sunburn again!

Simply customize the settings so that you’re receiving the perfect amount of light – enough to keep you warm, but not enough to give you that painful burn. As the sun’s position in the sky changes, you can change the amount of light filtering in, to get that perfect blend of sunshine and shade. Your skin will thank you!

At Knutsen Landscaping, we are always exploring new ways to enrich your experience working with us to achieve the property of your dreams. That’s why we are so excited to continue bringing you premier service by partnering with StruXure, as their exclusive dealer in the Lancaster, Lebanon, Harrisburg, and York area.

At Knutsen, we are always expanding the scope of our business, in order to bring you, your family, or your business the newest and most innovative services as possible. Along with StruXure, we guarantee comprehensive planning, proper installation, and better design. As always, our top priority is your satisfaction, and your confidence in a job well done.

Keep your cool

The sunshine draws you outdoors…but sometimes the heat chases you back inside! After enduring the chill of winter, it’s only natural that you would want to soak up every moment of summer sun possible, but it’s no fun being sticky and sweaty.

Pergolas can be the perfect solution to this problem. But sometimes, the sun is still in your eyes and you’re just too warm. That’s why our motorized, louvered pergolas are special. With our advanced customization features, you can adjust the position of the louvers to attain the perfect amount of sun, shade, and air flow.

At Knutsen Landscaping, we are always exploring new ways to enrich your experience working with us to achieve the property of your dreams. That’s why we are so excited to continue bringing you premier service by partnering with StruXure, as their exclusive dealer in the Lancaster, Lebanon, Harrisburg, and York area.

At Knutsen, we are always expanding the scope of our business, in order to bring you, your family, or your business the newest and most innovative services as possible. Along with StruXure, we guarantee comprehensive planning, proper installation, and better design. As always, our top priority is your satisfaction, and your confidence in a job well done.

Don’t let the heat keep you away from your plush new patio furniture. It’s always possible to have a cool breeze beneath our louvered pergolas, with just a few quick clicks of a button.