Custom Nicolock Paver Patio & LP Gas Fire Pit Installation in Roanoke, VA: A Backyard Designed Around the Sunset

Every Great Backyard Starts With a Conversation

When homeowners begin planning an outdoor living space, they usually start by thinking about the finished product—a beautiful patio, a fire pit, and a place where family and friends can gather.

At Skyline Hardscapes & Premier Outdoor Living, we start somewhere different.

We ask one simple question:

"How do you want to use your backyard?"

That answer guides every decision we make throughout the design process.

For this Roanoke-area project, that conversation completely changed the outcome.

The Homeowner's Vision

Our clients wanted a backyard space where they could relax after work, entertain friends, and enjoy evenings around a fire.

Like many homeowners, they already had a location picked out for the patio.

After walking the property together, we noticed something they hadn't considered.

Just a short distance away was a location that perfectly captured the evening sunset across their backyard.

Instead of simply building where the patio had originally been planned, we redesigned the entire outdoor living space around that experience.

Sometimes the best design decision isn't adding another feature.

Sometimes it's simply putting everything in the right place.

Related Reading: How Much Does a Paver Patio Cost in Roanoke, VA?

Designing a Patio That Feels Like It Belongs

With the location finalized, we designed a circular patio that naturally encourages conversation while creating a strong focal point around the fire feature.

Material selection played a major role in achieving the finished look.

For this project we installed:

• Nicolock Stone Ridge Pavers – Granite City (Patio Field)
• Nicolock Rustico Pavers – Raven (Accent Border)
• Nicolock Serafina Fire Pit Kit
• Natural Bluestone Coping
• HPC Outdoors Liquid Propane Fire Pit Assembly
• Integrated LED Landscape Lighting

The contrasting colors create definition without overpowering the landscape, while the circular layout naturally brings everyone together around the fire.

Related Reading: Paver Patios vs. Concrete Patios: Which Is Better?

Building It Right Starts Below the Surface

One of the most important parts of every paver patio is the part homeowners never see.

The foundation.

Beautiful pavers installed over poor preparation eventually settle, shift, or fail.

That's why we spend just as much time building what's underneath the patio as we do installing the finished surface.

For this project we completed:

• Complete site excavation
• Precision grading
• Open-graded aggregate base installation
• Layer-by-layer compaction
• Screeded bedding course
• Underground LP gas installation
• Underground electrical installation
• Final grading
• Landscape restoration with seed and straw

Every layer was installed with long-term performance in mind.

Because the quality of the foundation determines the life of the patio.

Hidden Utilities Create a Cleaner Outdoor Living Space

One advantage of planning the entire project from the beginning is that all utilities can be installed before the patio is complete.

For this project we installed an underground liquid propane (LP) gas line, complete with tracer wire and caution tape for future safety and serviceability.

We also installed underground electrical service to power the LED lighting beneath the fire pit coping.

Everything remains hidden beneath the finished patio.

No exposed piping.

No extension cords.

No future excavation.

Just a clean outdoor living space that's ready to enjoy with the push of a button.

A Premium Fire Feature Built to Last

At the heart of the patio is a Nicolock Serafina Fire Pit Kit, finished with elegant natural bluestone coping.

Inside the fire pit, we installed a premium HPC Outdoors liquid propane fire pit assembly, chosen for its dependable performance, attractive flame presentation, and long-term reliability.

The combination delivers the convenience of propane with the premium appearance homeowners expect from a custom-built outdoor living space.

If you're considering adding a fire feature to your backyard, choosing quality components inside the fire pit is just as important as selecting the block on the outside.

Related Reading: Outdoor Fireplace vs. Fire Pit: Which Is Best for Your Backyard?

LED Lighting Changes Everything

Outdoor living shouldn't end when the sun goes down.

Low-voltage LED lighting installed beneath the bluestone coping creates a subtle glow that highlights the fire feature while making the patio feel warm and inviting after dark.

It's one of those upgrades homeowners often don't think about during the design phase...

...but almost always tell us it's one of their favorite features after the project is complete.

The Small Details Separate Good Contractors from Great Ones

Anyone can order pavers.

Craftsmanship comes from everything that happens after they're delivered.

Every radius.

Every border cut.

Every joint.

Every elevation.

Every drainage calculation.

These details determine whether a patio still looks exceptional ten years from now.

They're also the details most homeowners never see.

Until they compare two finished projects side by side.

Watching the Backyard Come to Life

Once construction was complete, we restored the surrounding lawn with final grading, seed, and straw before cleaning the job site.

Then came our favorite part.

Watching the homeowners light their new fire pit for the very first time.

Even better?

Sharing a beer around the fire while watching the sunset from the exact location we'd chosen together during the initial design consultation.

That's why we love what we do.

We don't simply build patios.

We create places where birthdays are celebrated, conversations happen, memories are made, and families spend time together.

Project Specifications

Location: Roanoke Valley, Virginia

Project Type: Custom Circular Paver Patio with Fire Pit

Field Pavers: Nicolock Stone Ridge – Granite City

Border Pavers: Nicolock Rustico – Raven

Fire Pit Kit: Nicolock Serafina

Fire Pit Assembly: HPC Outdoors Liquid Propane (LP) Fire Pit Burner Assembly

Fire Pit Coping: Natural Bluestone

Fuel Source: Liquid Propane (LP)

Lighting: Integrated Low-Voltage LED Lighting Beneath the Coping

Utilities Installed:

• Underground LP gas line with tracer wire and caution tape
• Underground electrical for landscape lighting

Construction Highlights:

• Complete site excavation
• Precision grading
• Open-graded aggregate base
• Layer-by-layer compaction
• Landscape restoration with seed and straw

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a custom paver patio cost in Virginia?

Every project is unique. Size, materials, site access, utilities, lighting, and design all affect the final investment. The best way to receive an accurate price is through a free on-site design consultation.

Related Reading: How Much Does a Paver Patio Cost in Roanoke, VA?

Why did you choose Nicolock pavers?

Nicolock offers outstanding color selection, excellent durability, and a wide variety of styles that allow us to create truly custom outdoor living spaces.

Why install the gas line before building the patio?

Installing the underground LP gas line during construction keeps everything hidden beneath the finished patio while eliminating the need to disturb the completed project later.

Why use an HPC Outdoors burner assembly?

High-quality internal components are just as important as the appearance of the fire pit itself. HPC Outdoors burner assemblies are designed for dependable ignition, attractive flame patterns, and long-term outdoor performance.

Can you build patios on sloped properties?

Absolutely.

With proper grading, drainage planning, and when necessary retaining walls, many sloped backyards can become incredible outdoor living spaces.

Scott's Tip

One piece of advice I give every homeowner is simple:

Don't hire a contractor based only on pictures of finished patios.

Ask what's underneath them.

The quality of the foundation determines whether your patio still looks beautiful ten or twenty years from now.

Ready to Transform Your Backyard?

Whether you're planning a custom paver patio, outdoor fireplace, LP gas fire pit, retaining wall, outdoor kitchen, or a complete outdoor living space, Skyline Hardscapes & Premier Outdoor Living would love to help.

Our process starts with understanding how you want to use your backyard—not simply choosing materials.

If you're ready to create an outdoor space built for your family and designed to last, contact us today to schedule your free design consultation.