How to Create Innovative Outdoor Living Spaces

This year, Sauders Hardscape attended the SynkedUP Contractor Summit in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on September 11th and 12, 2025. This event provides an opportunity for contractors to come together and share tips, tricks, and advice on how to take their businesses to the next level. 

At the event, Mahlon Stoltzfus, president, CEO, and owner of Sauders Hardscape, shared some advice on his experience with the ever-changing hardscaping industry and how innovation is more important than ever. 

In this article, we’ll share some key takeaways from his speech on creating an innovative outdoor living space that will impress your customers.

Why Innovation Matters in Outdoor Living

Today, technology has blown the doors wide open. The sky really is the limit. Customers show up with Pinterest boards full of ideas and high expectations. Some bring designs you might have never built before. That’s the challenge. Stay sharp, keep learning new systems, and still build something that lasts. It’s easy to say no because you’re busy or because it’s new territory. But innovation is not optional. It’s the difference between staying relevant and getting left behind.

The Innovation Challenge for Contractors

When you get the chance to take on something new and different, a lot of questions come up. Do you take the risk? Do you have the right tools? Can you pull it off? Those questions deter many good contractors from being at the cutting edge.

What Do You Do About the Pinterest Scrolling Customer?

When customers arrive with a Pinterest board full of inspiration, they want something no one else has. They expect a custom design, new materials, and perfect execution. It might not be something you’ve ever built before. That’s where innovation starts. Ask yourself if you can meet their vision and still make money doing it.

Will It Last?

Every time you use new materials or systems, longevity becomes a key factor in the equation. If the project isn’t built right, it won’t last. The real question is how you’ll manage the learning curve, master the technique, and build something that performs.

What If They Want Something You Don’t Know How To Do?

If a customer asks for something outside your comfort zone, don’t back away. You can innovate. The industry is moving fast and creating new systems to help you tackle almost any kind of project. You can design anything you want. Just keep in mind the pros and cons of each system and take time to analyze your challenges before you start.

The Industry Is Constantly Innovating

If you’re looking for new materials and better ways to build, you’re in the right trade. Hardscaping has come a long way. The tools we have now let us create stronger, cleaner, and longer-lasting projects than ever before.

Take jointing materials as an example. Polymeric sand used to be the standard, but it brought problems with it. Over time, it cracked, ants dug through it, and it struggled to withstand the pressure of washing. That frustration pushed the industry to move forward.

Now you have options like EasyJoint, Xtreme Easy, HP Techniseal, VDW 815 Mason Sand, Xtreme Gravel Lock, and ProFinish. Each one offers a better solution for different types of installations and performance needs.

Then came a real breakthrough: two-component resin jointing systems such as the VDW 833 Resin Jointing Compound. This system delivers exceptional strength and durability for natural stone and porcelain surfaces while keeping permeability high. It cures fast, resists washout, and is built for jobs that demand both precision and performance.

So what does that mean for you? It means there’s never been a better time to learn, experiment, and stay ahead.

Tips and Tricks for Staying on the Cutting Edge

Staying on the cutting edge takes more than new materials. It takes planning, precision, and a willingness to keep learning. Here are some key lessons Mahlon shared about designing and building for long-term success.

Design Your Project with the Joints in Mind

Before you start a job, think through your jointing plan. The size and system you choose can make or break the final result.

• Plan the joint width before the first stone goes down.
• Joint width affects performance, durability, and appearance.
• Always design with the end result in mind.
• If your project includes multiple jointing materials, use the right system for each one.
• Set customer expectations early. Cracking or minor joint loss can happen, but good planning minimizes it.
  

As Mahlon says, “Cut corners on quality systems and risk jeopardizing all that time and money.”

Installation Insights and Systems to Know

Innovation also means choosing installation methods that work smarter.

Cold vs. Warm Joint Installation

The method you use matters more than most realize.

• Cold joints: Concrete touching concrete with too little material above spacer bars can lead to movement and cracking.
• Warm joints: These systems can dry faster, reduce movement, and prevent early issues.

The Trass Bed System

Mahlon calls this “the solution you need for your next thin stone, porcelain, or irregular flagstone job.” It’s permeable, efflorescence-free, and strong. The system combines:

• VDW Xtreme Bedding Compound
• VDW 495 Adhesion Elutriant
• Two-part epoxy joint material

Together, they support complex designs, reduce frost-heave damage, and improve stormwater management. They’re a wise choice for contractors who want to build cutting-edge projects that perform well and keep customers happy.

Considerations to Make When Choosing a System

Before you start building, analyze your job from every angle. Consider:

• Stormwater management
• Frost-heave prevention
• Cleaning and maintenance needs
• Upfront cost vs. longevity
• Long-term ROI
• Permeability requirements
  

There are great systems available today. You have to take the time to learn them and learn them well. That sets you up for success and keeps you on the cutting edge.

Don’t Be Afraid to Innovate

Every new material or system comes with questions. What if it fails? What if it doesn’t last? What if the customer isn’t happy? Those doubts can stop you from trying something new.

Mahlon reminds us that those doubts can’t be the reason to stop moving forward.

“You can design anything you want. Just keep in mind the pros and cons of each system and analyze your challenges before you lay the stone or pavers.”

That’s how innovation happens. It’s not about avoiding risk but understanding it. Learn the system, plan ahead, and build with confidence.

“The customer’s design choice should influence your choice! If they are willing to pay for quality, are you equipped to build it for them?”

That’s the real question. When you commit to learning new methods and materials, you open doors to better results, happier customers, and stronger craftsmanship. The fear of failure fades when you replace it with preparation and pride in what you build.

The Path to Building Better

Innovation isn’t just about materials. It’s a mindset. A willingness to learn, plan ahead, and master new systems expands what’s possible on every job.

At Sauders Hardscape, Mahlon’s experience in the field has shaped how we choose what to stock and support. From advanced bedding compounds to two-component resin jointing systems like VDW 833, every product on our shelves is there to help contractors build with confidence, durability, and innovation in mind.

The next time a customer shows you something from Pinterest, see it as a chance to push the limits of what you can create. Know that you have the tools and materials to make it happen.

See the full speech here: Innovative Systems for Outdoor Living Spaces.