AboutSean J Murphy, LA Expertise I can answer almost any question related to design, installation, pricing of landscaping and hardscaping. I am not a horticulturist though so I can not answer questions on pests or diseases of plants. I also can answer questions related to pools, water features, ponds, lighting, grading, drainage, walls, patios, decks and much more.
Experience I have been doing landscaping since I was 8 years old. My family owned a nursery in Florida when I was a teen and I owned and operated several lawn and landscape companies over the years. I have since completed 6 years of in Landscape Architecture at Purdue University and have a Bachelors degree in Landscape Architecture. I have been practicing professionally for 13 years in Atlanta and the south east US. I have worked for some of the best and most well know firms and personalities in landscaping and my work has won many awards. I have worked for the likes of Disney, the 1996 Olympic games, and REIT Post Properties(Atlanta, Dallas, Austin, NY, Tampa, Orlando). I know many of the plants in Georgia and Florida plus surrounding states. I have passed the Georgia Landscape Architects Licensure Exam and can legally call myself a Landscape Architect Lisc. # 001156
I am currently the Department Manager of the Planning and Landscape Architecture Department of a local Multi-Disciplinary firm and used to own and operate Amenity Architects LLC. you may preview our work at www.amenityarchitects.com. My new employer is SoutheasternEngineering, Inc. see www.seenginering.com
I am also part owner in the family business Murphy's Garden Art also see at www.murphysgardenart.com.
Organizations American Society of Landscape Architects,
Keep Smyrna Beautiful,
ULI,
Smyrna Downtown Development Authority,
Smyrna Downtown Task Force,
Publications Landscape Architect and Specifier News,
Atlanta Homes Magazine,
Landscape Architecture Magazine,
Coastal Living, Magazine
Education/Credentials Pinellas County Center for the Arts 1984 - 1988,
Bachelors Degree in Landscape Architecture - Purdue University, 1994,
Mike Lynn Graphics Workshop 1994,
University of Georgia Wetland Delineation Certification 1995,
Post University Mini MBA 2000,
Edinburgh College of Art - 1 year co-op 1993,
Intern Smallwood Reynolds Stewart and Stewart Architects Atlanta1993,
ISA Certified Arborist 2009
Awards and Honors ASLA Merit Award 1994 Mined Land Project IN,
ACI 1st Place for Hardscape Design / Installation 1999 Biltmore Atlanta.
Coastal Living Idea House Design 2005/2006.
South Eastern Flower Show People's Choice Award for best garden design,
Many more...too many to list.
Past/Present Clients Disney Imagineers (while employed by others),
Georgia Governor Roy Barnes,
The State of Georgia,
City of Suwanee Ga,
City of Norcross Ga,
City of Powdersprings Ga,
City of Stockbridge GA,
Post Properties,
Bayfair Homes,
John Willis Homes,
Pulty Homes,
Serenbe Development,
Mayor of Smyrna-Georgia Max Bacon,
Representative for Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Vic,
Question Hello Sean-
I want to create a simple 4"slab type concrete walkway around the perimeter of my house. I understand I need expansion joint every few feet(3'-4'??) but do not know exactly how to do it.
I have done plenty of foundations through work but this will be my own project.
Please advice. I can also be reach in person via my wife's cell @ .
Thank you for your prompt attention to this request.
Shaun
Answer You will need an expansion joint about every 30 feet and a 'control' joint about every 5 or 6 feet. Typically you would space a control joint about equal to or slightly further apart than the width of the walk. So if you have a five foot wide walk, you place a control joint about every 5 or 6 feet until you reach 30 feet then you do an expansion joint. Sometimes it is best to measure the distance to the end of a run and then find some measurement that will provide equal spacing. It may be something odd like 74" or 59". That way you don't end up with one odd size panel at the end.
An expansion joint is either a piece of wood 1/2 to 1" thick placed between the two pours or a premanufactured expansion joint of which there are many types. Most are plastic or asphalt impregnated wood fibers, etc.
A control joint is a saw cut or trowled joint that creates a place for the concrete to crack while it cures. This is natural as all concrete contracts as it cures and the water goes away.
Putting in the control joints just ensures the cracks end up where you want them instead of willy nilly all over.
The control joints usually are made to a depth of an inch or 1/3 the depth of the concrete if using a saw. A trowel is the easiest and cheapest way to construct a joint though.
If you use a saw you must typically wait 12 to 24 hours depending on concrete type and weather. Cut too early and the joint looks really bad as the saw breaks out loose rocks. Cut too late and the concrete is already cracked in places you don't want it too plus its harder to cut.
