ᐅ Slope of driveway / elevation difference

Hello everyone,

We are currently still in the shell construction phase and unfortunately discovered on site over the weekend just how significant the height difference between the house entrance platform and the curb (street level) actually is.

First of all: Attached you will find pictures of our house entrance, as well as a cross-section from the house building plans and the entrance platform.

Street level: 559.96
Garage height: 560.18
Single-family house: 560.43

Problem: The garage is not being set at street level but approximately 40cm (16 inches) higher at the bottom edge of the stair step.
This means the 40cm (16 inches) height difference between the curb edge and garage (over 1 meter (3 feet)) is compensated for – resulting in a slope of 40% over 1 meter (3 feet).

At the moment, we are completely unsure whether such a slope is even feasible, or if it would be better to add extra steps at the house entrance to compensate for the height and thus set the garage at street level.

Originally, we did not want any additional entrance steps, but unfortunately, we do not see how to solve this problem otherwise.

Maybe we are just worrying unnecessarily?

We look forward to lots of feedback and support!!

Thanks 😉

The slope alone isn’t necessarily the problem, but the short distance is. There’s no room for proper transitions. You would need to know the vehicle’s approach and ramp angles to determine if this can work, but the number of cars that can handle a 40% ramp angle can be counted on one hand.

I would lower the garage to street level and accept the additional steps.

exto1791 schrieb:

Street level: 559.96
Garage height: 560.18
Single-family house: 560.43
Issue: The garage is not set at street level but about 40cm (16 inches) higher, at the bottom edge of the stair step.

I cannot verify this calculation or drawing-wise; to me, that is 22 cm (9 inches).

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The height from street level to the garage would be 22cm (9 inches). However, the garage is currently positioned not at curb/street level but on the lower edge of the second step.

If I set the garage to curb height, I will need to plan for significantly more steps.

With the current second step that has already been poured, we now have a height difference to the street of 34cm (13 inches).

We are currently considering installing one step (which gains us 19cm (7.5 inches)), leaving 15cm (6 inches) remaining, and then compensating for this height right at the front by the street.

Obermuh schrieb:

The slope alone is not necessarily the issue, but the short distance definitely is. There is no space for proper transitions. You would need to know the approach and departure angles of the vehicle to determine if it can work, but the number of cars that can handle a 40% ramp angle can be counted on one hand.

I would lower the garage to street level and accept the additional steps.

That’s exactly the point – the problem is the slope over the short distance. The gradient naturally decreases towards the east side of the garage, but in the first 2 meters (6.5 feet) there is a significant height difference. We will plant accordingly, place the third step, and then compensate the remaining 15cm (6 inches) height difference – I believe 15cm over this short distance is definitely manageable.

Are there still doors in the garage? Why not lower the garage and keep the main entrance elevated? The path to the house doesn't have to be level, does it?