
Professional custom patio design and installation for Kensington homeowners — natural stone patios, flagstone, concrete pavers, pergolas, outdoor kitchens, and fire pits suited to Kensington's established lots and pre-1950 homes. Town of Kensington permits filed at 3710 Mitchell Street. Mature tree root zones assessed before any excavation begins.
Work with our design team to create a patio that fits your Kensington lot, respects mature trees and existing garden beds, and complements your home's architectural character — whether a craftsman bungalow, a colonial, or a foursquare.
Irregular bluestone, Pennsylvania bluestone, and flagstone set in sand or mortar — the most period-appropriate choice for Kensington's older homes. Natural variation in color and texture complements mature landscape settings and craftsman architectural details.
Durable and repairable, concrete pavers in natural stone profiles offer a lower-cost alternative to natural stone while delivering a similar aesthetic. A practical choice for Kensington homeowners balancing budget and appearance.
Reclaimed or new brick in running bond, herringbone, or basket weave patterns — a period-authentic choice for Kensington's older colonials and foursquares, particularly for homes with original brick exterior details or chimneys.
Custom wood or aluminum pergolas scaled to Kensington's smaller residential lots — providing shade, a defined outdoor room, and a complementary architectural element to the home. Town of Kensington permit required for structural pergolas.
Built-in grill stations and outdoor kitchen installations for Kensington homeowners — scaled appropriately to the lot and patio area. Gas line extension and electrical connections managed by our licensed in-house trades team.
Custom gas or wood-burning fire pits that create a gathering focal point in Kensington's intimate outdoor spaces. Gas line extensions permitted and installed in-house. Stone and brick surround options to complement existing home materials.
Kensington's mature tree canopy is a defining characteristic of the community. Patio excavation assessed for proximity to tree root zones, with permeable patio options recommended where root protection is a priority. Drainage planned away from both the home and established trees.
| Homeowner Need | Kensington-Specific Considerations |
|---|---|
| New patio for a pre-1950 bungalow or colonial | Material selection that complements the home's architectural character — natural flagstone, bluestone, or brick rather than modern large-format pavers. Patio scale appropriate to Kensington's smaller residential lots. |
| Patio installation near mature trees | Root zone proximity assessed before excavation is planned. Permeable paver systems recommended where patio placement is within the drip line of significant trees. Excavation depth adjusted to avoid major root damage. |
| Pergola or covered patio structure | Town of Kensington permit required at 3710 Mitchell Street — not MoCo DPS. Structure scaled to complement the home and lot proportions typical of Kensington's established residential neighborhoods. |
| Replacing a cracked or settled old patio | Existing patio removed, subgrade assessed for drainage and soil conditions, base improved, and new material installed with correct drainage slope away from the home's foundation. Root intrusion from adjacent trees assessed if the original patio settled unevenly. |
| Outdoor kitchen or fire pit addition | Gas line extensions require Town of Kensington permits and coordination with the licensed gas trade. Scale planned to fit Kensington's lot sizes — full estate-scale outdoor kitchens are rare; functional built-in grill stations and compact fire features are the common request. |
| Drainage improvement alongside patio | Kensington's older lots may have drainage issues from decades of soil compaction and established root systems. New patio installation is an opportunity to correct drainage grades and protect the home's foundation at the same time. |
Kensington's pre-1950 housing stock has a distinct architectural character — craftsman bungalows, American foursquares, and traditional colonials with mature landscaping and established garden settings. The right patio material reads as a natural extension of these homes; the wrong material reads as an addition that doesn't belong. DMV General Contracting Group discusses material options at the free consultation with Kensington's architectural character as the starting point.
Natural irregular stone set in sand or mortar — the most organic-looking and period-appropriate choice for Kensington's craftsman and cottage-style homes. Wide joints filled with moss or creeping thyme integrate naturally into established garden settings. Available in bluestone, Pennsylvania flagstone, and quartzite.
Cut in uniform rectangles or irregular shapes — bluestone's cool gray tone and natural texture complement Kensington's traditional colonials and foursquares. More formal than irregular flagstone; appropriate for homes with more structured garden layouts.
Running bond, herringbone, or basket weave patterns — brick is the most period-authentic choice for Kensington's older colonials and foursquares with brick details. Reclaimed brick from the same era as the home delivers the most authentic character.
Pavers in tumbled, aged, or natural stone textures — a durable, repairable alternative to natural stone at lower cost. Best choices for Kensington are earth-tone pavers in smaller unit sizes that read as period-appropriate rather than modern large-format slabs.
Stamped patterns and integral color — suitable for Kensington patio areas where budget is the primary driver. Cobblestone and slate patterns in warm earth tones read most naturally with Kensington's older homes. Less repairable than unit pavers if surface damage occurs.
Permeable paver systems allow rainwater to pass through the patio surface into the soil below — recommended where patio installation is near the drip line of significant mature trees. Protects root zones while delivering an attractive, functional patio surface.
DMV-GC understands Kensington's architectural character — pre-1950 homes, established lots, mature canopy — and recommends patio materials and designs that complement these homes rather than clash with them.
All Kensington structural patio permits filed at the Town of Kensington at 3710 Mitchell Street. We manage all Town correspondence, inspector scheduling, and permit tracking in-house. You do not contact the Town permit office.
Root zones from Kensington's large mature trees assessed before any excavation is planned. Permeable paver options recommended where root protection is a priority. No significant root damage from patio installation on our watch.
Gas line extensions, electrical connections, and drainage coordination all managed by our licensed in-house trades team — not farmed out to separate subcontractors on different schedules.
We visit your Kensington home, assess the outdoor space — lot size, existing landscape, mature trees, drainage conditions, home architecture — and discuss your patio vision and budget. Mature tree proximity noted at this stage. Free, no obligation.
Patio layout designed to fit Kensington's lot proportions and complement the home's architectural character. Material selected with period-appropriateness in mind — natural stone, brick, or pavers appropriate to the home's era and style. Root zone setbacks incorporated into the layout where applicable.
We confirm which elements of your Kensington patio project require Town of Kensington permits at 3710 Mitchell Street. All required permit applications prepared and filed before any installation begins. Town correspondence and inspection scheduling managed in-house.
Before excavation begins, any mature tree root proximity is assessed and excavation approach adjusted accordingly. Permeable base system specified where root protection is the priority. Standard compacted gravel base for areas away from significant root zones.
Natural stone, brick, or pavers installed on the prepared base per the design plan. Pergola or fire feature built out where included in scope. Gas and electrical rough-in completed by licensed in-house trades. Drainage integrated with the surrounding landscape.
All required Town of Kensington inspections scheduled and managed. Work area cleaned — Kensington's established gardens protected during installation and restored at completion. Final walkthrough. Warranty documentation provided.
DMV General Contracting Group provides residential patio installation and outdoor living services throughout Kensington, MD and surrounding communities — including Chevy Chase, North Bethesda, Bethesda, Silver Spring, Wheaton, Garrett Park, Rockville, and Washington DC.