Raised decking design dilemma

8 years ago

wondering if anyone can help with the design dilemma we're facing at the moment. We have recently had an extension done to our house that is on a hill. As a result we have a large step down from the doors at the rear of the property so we want to add decking to this to make a raised area with steps into the garden. A couple of questions on this - has anyone got advice on the size this decked area should be (we have a large garden so not restricted by that) and also any ideas on what to do with the side to the left as this forms a passageway down to the garage and I'm not sure what we should do here with the edge of the decking.

Any thoughts would be massively appreciated!

Thanks

Featured Answer

morusman

8 years ago

Hi, a bit controversial, but why use decking? It can get quite treacherous becoming dangerous & slippery, makes a great home for rats & needs maintenance. I'd use block & beam overlaid with paving, the beams being set out on concrete pads to save concrete & excessive digging. Steps down from the patio door should be generously deep & no more than around 160mm risers. The return up the side should be around 800/900 mm wide with side border planted up. Main patio area could be two offset rectangles. Not the cheapest solution but high quality, very attractive & durable. Just a view?

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Comments (10)

morusman
8 years ago
Just saw all the brick rubble - you can lose quite a lot of it under the block & beam patio, but wouldn't advise laying paving over it as spreading it out over topsoil just won't create a stable sub base.
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Lynn Robbo
8 years ago
Hi, you need a escalator to get up and down there
Trish
8 years ago
We have same dilemma! Can't decide on decking or solid patio . Will be very interested on comment interest on comments here .
PRO
User
8 years ago
Decking is beautiful for a short while, but can be treacherous in the wet, and will require upkeep. Stone will last a lot longer and with the exception of the occasional jet wash, is more practical, but can be more expensive depending on what it's built from. You need to build a wrap around, decking or stone, the process is the same. Big patio at home level with steps to the side entrance and steps down to the garden, or steps down to the garden and to the side with a patio at the bottom. For me, the patio wins every time, easier upkeep, far harder wearing and just more impressive. Here are a few pics for inspiration:-
helenw01 thanked User
Yvonne James
8 years ago
Hi - we had a similar problem as sloping gardens can be the norm in South Wales!

We originally had wooden decking - which as everyone has said has maintenance and slipping issues - but changed to composite decking after about 10 years. This is terrific as it's non slip and so easy to brush down. The only thing you need to be careful with is rust which can mark it. Having said that if you love wood there are non slip solutions that are quite effective.

With regard to the sides we have glass and covered metal supports which not only stop small children flying off the edge but also add a decorative finish.

The beams underneath the decking raise it to the same level as the patio doors so it's quite seamless moving from house to garden. The beams are protected by the decking so they just needed a top up coat of something that smelled disgusting when we replaced the wood with plastic. There are two steps down to the garden and again we've never had any problems as they are quite wide and deep.

Oh! And I have had a number of cats living here and expected to find corpses of the rats someone else mentioned...nothing just the fattest spiders you've ever seen. Yuck!

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
helenw01 thanked Yvonne James
helenw01
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks all for the comments. Really helpful. Was thinking of composite decking too but have been told its fairly expensive so also looking at a grey sandstone.

morusman like the idea of planting a border down the side return. Keen to make this a useful space.

Had someone round this weekend to give us a price so will see what they say and keep looking for inspiration!

Will let you know what we decide. Thanks all for the advice
PRO
Fig Garden Design ltd
8 years ago
A Wrap around terrace or deck would seem sensible in this location, but it might be worth splitting the difference in the height... From the image it looks like you have a drop of about 900mm from the house to existing garden level, so I might suggest steps from the house down 450mm (which looks to be about the level of the side gate, with a terrace that goes round the side of the house to the side gate. then steps down from the terrace or deck to the rest of the garden.
PRO
EnviroBuild
8 years ago
Hi, we have worked on may raised deck projects similar to your layout and would be more than happy to offer some design ideas and practical advice to consider. As well as composites decking, which is anti-slip both wet and dry, we have installed mixed porcelain and decking systems as per the picture below. This system looks great and with the new support system it's quick to install and can handle the large slopes with ease. Please feel free to get in touch to see how we can help.
Johny Schmidt
7 years ago
It looks great with this fence panels.
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