Brick terrace vs composite decking
rupattni
7 years ago
Featured Answer
Comments (9)
Jay Walmsley
7 years ago
Lisa HE
7 years agoRelated Discussions
My raised terrace or balcony dilemma. Connecting house to the garden
Comments (42)Hi original poster! I know it’s 7 years since you asked this but would love to know what you did. We are not in a similar position with a similar looking house at the back but even steeper. I know that a full extension and lowering the internal floors would be ideal but we can’t afford that and need a 5-7 year fix. Please let us know what you decided and why ☺️...See MoreRaised decking design dilemma
Comments (10)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....See MoreGarden ideas please!
Comments (9)The existing terrace is a good size and once cleaned up could look presentable if budgets don't allow to replace it. I'd avoid timber decking in this location if its frequently in shade as it'll green up and become slippy! You could look at composite decking if you really liked the idea of decking and you could overboard on top of the existing slabs (on a subframe) to avoid taking it up. Little things such as changing the manhole cover for a recessed cover with paving set within and taking up some paving along the fence to allow some planting will all help to reduce its starkness. In particular the manhole is on the main site line from the patio doors so its a easy win to change the cover to a recessed one. As for the garden approach overall, avoid straight lines that take your eye immediately down the garden to the end! Use a meandering path instead or staggered geometric layout that takes you across the garden making it appear larger. Artificial grass could replace the lawn to allow areas of green but without the maintenance and allows heavy use from children and pets without wear. The end of the garden is an ideal 'destination' spot to providing a focal point with covered seating, perhaps a pergola over, paint, timber slat or plant the garage wall to provide an attractive foil with some down lighters for evening atmosphere. Its got lots of potential but to have a grand plan is a must to stay on strategy and avoid a random collection of unrelated features. Good luck!...See MoreBland 1970's terrace house - nothing to work with?
Comments (25)Well, Gary, you have got some great ideas coming in. I turned 70 last year and my family in 1967 bought a brand new townhouse that was an exciting place to live. It had three split-level floors making about 7 levels (not quite designed by Escher!) My advice is look at the inspiration for British 60s houses - that came from 1950s America (and earlier). Draw out the essence. Think: Clean lines / Timber / Brick / Harmony / Balance / Simplicity (and I am sure you are!) You are so right to steer away from the grey format you describe. Attaching 1) a contemporary colour chart for door inspiration and 2) images solely for the cohesive simplicity of window shapes.) These are some thoughts that I have: 1) The porch: Could it be constructed out of SIPs - thereby giving more insulation? Possibly cheaper, easier and cleaner to build with than brickwork? The side panels could be clad with cedar that just wraps round onto the front wall each side - maybe 15cm? (To give depth.) Maybe a very slightly sloping crimped zinc roof on top? Look at the front width of the porch and pretty much divide it into two. Have perhaps a door with a square clear glass pane on the right (like your image above) AND make the adjacent window the same size square aperture as in the door. Maybe some cedar cladding under this window? 2) The other windows: If these could be based upon the same square format (as above) and tip / tilt. The kitchen window could comprise two tip/tilt opening almost square windows and these be echoed in the first floor bedroom above. The bathroom window naturally lends itself to a square pane. NO frosted or reeded glass anywhere! ...Even if it is 'authentic'! 'Roller blinds' were used a lot then and provided an interesting layer to the windows plus a nice slice of colour! Surely no-one would consider vertical strip blinds!!!!???? 3) The front door colour: (I really will have to 'get over' the fact that PVC double-glazed doors cannot be painted like a good old wooden door...!) So, my recollection is that mid-sixties colours in Britain were actually not quite so primary as we think but often a little bit 'slubby'. This makes them more interesting I think. ...Ignore the contradictory red doors below!! 🤣 Images of evocative clean styles - windows mainly....See More
belfastsink
7 years agorupattni
7 years agobelfastsink
6 years agorupattni
6 years agobelfastsink
6 years ago
rupattniOriginal Author