Cleanstone Construction

03/09/2026

02/09/2026

One thing about our we are going to show up and show out 💪

01/09/2026

Drink Rail or No Drink Rail? Here's the Difference.

Take a look at this railing — it's a great example of a standard top rail (no drink rail). If you've been researching decks, you may have seen the term "drink rail" and wondered what it means, or whether you actually need one. Let's break it down.

What is a drink rail?
A drink rail is a flat, widened cap on top of your deck railing — usually 5-6 inches wide — that gives you a spot to set down a drink, your phone, or a small plate without needing a side table.

Pros of a drink rail:
✅ Built-in surface for drinks, snacks, or décor — great for entertaining
✅ Frees up floor space since you need fewer side tables
✅ Adds a polished, finished look to the railing itself
✅ A nice touch if your deck overlooks a view worth lingering over

Pros of a standard railing (like this one):
✅ Lower cost — less material and labor
✅ Clean, streamlined look that pairs well with a classic aluminum or metal style
✅ Less maintenance surface exposed to weather and standing water

Things to consider:

Drink rails work best where you'll actually lean on them — think seating areas, outdoor kitchens, or a favorite coffee spot.
They add a bit to overall cost and build time since it's an additional piece of material and detail work.
If water pooling is a concern in your climate, ask your builder about pitch or drainage grooves.

It's a small detail, but it's one of dozens of decisions that shape how a deck actually gets used — not just how it looks. That's the kind of thing we walk through with every client before the first board goes down.

Have a deck question you've always wondered about? Drop it below and we might turn it into our next post! 👇

01/09/2026

What a review!

Hey Richmond! Envisioning a big backyard project sounds exciting—un...

28/08/2026

Did you know you can close your pool for the season and still enjoy your spa all winter long?

If your spa is plumbed separately from your pool (like a lot of attached fiberglass setups), you don't have to choose between closing up for winter and giving up your hot tub nights. Here's how it works:

Most attached spas run on their own dedicated plumbing lines, pump, and heater — separate from the pool's circulation system. That means we can winterize the pool side (balance it, clear the lines, get it covered and protected from our freeze-thaw cycles) while isolating the spa with its own valves so it keeps running independently, heater and all.

The key is making sure those isolation valves are actually in place and closed off correctly — that's what keeps cold, still pool water from creeping into your spa lines, and keeps your spa water where it belongs: warm, circulating, and ready whenever you are.

So yes — swimsuit season can end, and hot tub season can just be getting started. ❄️♨️

Want to know if your setup is plumbed this way? Send us a message — we'll check it out before we close things up for the season.

24/08/2026

Watch our client's heartfelt journey as she shares how our services brought joy and convenience to her life. Watch now for a story of transformation and insp...

19/08/2026

We can see it now... 👀 This screened-in porch in Midlothian is coming together, and we're already imagining the finished product — cool fall mornings, the fireplace crackling, a hot cup of coffee in hand as you look out over the backyard. That's the kind of moment we build for. Stay tuned, this one's going to be special!

14/08/2026

Friday Feature! 🚨

Some backyards are built to impress. This one was built to bring people home. ( and impress ;) )

Our clients — grandparents right here in the Richmond area — wanted one thing above everything else: a reason for their kids and grandkids to keep coming back to the house. Not just for holidays. For random Tuesdays in the summer, for splash-and-nap afternoons, for the kind of memories that get made in the water, not around a screen.

So we built for that. A fiberglass pool with twin scuppers that keep the water moving and the sound peaceful. A cool-underfoot paver deck built for bare feet running around all day.

Every detail had one job: make this the place everyone wants to be.

That's the part of this work we love most — it's never just a pool. It's a reason to gather. 💙

Looking for a retreat in your backyard or know someone who is? tag them on this post!

13/08/2026

When our clients dream up a custom backyard, we're here to make it happen!

This time, it was all about the game day vibes — so we designed and installed a custom co****le area, built right into their outdoor living space. Because why leave the party to go play co****le when co****le can BE the party? 🌽🔥

Now we want to know... 👀

If you could have ANYTHING custom installed in your backyard, what would it be? A co****le court? A pizza oven? A putting green? Drop your dream feature in the comments — we're always looking for inspiration! ⬇️