ᐅ Raised terrace with L-shaped retaining blocks / angle blocks – How to implement slope?

Good evening!

We also want to start working on our garden this summer, specifically our raised terrace. This will be renovated this year.

The terrace is approximately 3.5m x 6m (11.5ft x 20ft) in size and is located 70cm (28 inches) above ground level.
The terrace edging will be constructed using L-shaped stones measuring 80cm (31.5 inches) high and 100cm (39 inches) wide. However, during the planning process, I keep running into an issue regarding how to create a slope using these L-shaped stones.

To create a slope, the side walls must be installed at a slight angle. This causes a larger gap at the bottom of the front wall compared to the top. With an 80cm (31.5 inches) height and a 2% slope, the gap at the bottom would be almost 2cm (0.8 inches) larger than at the top.

To compensate for this, the front wall would also need to be installed at a slight angle, or alternatively, the side walls would have to be cut accordingly.
However, in all the photos of raised terraces with L-shaped stones that I’ve seen, I can’t identify either of these solutions.

How is this difference usually resolved in practice? Or are raised terrace constructions with L-shaped stones often built without any slope?

The latter option would, of course, be the simplest. We are planning to build an aluminum roof over the entire raised terrace. Would this be a suitable alternative to a slope in such a case, knowing it isn’t ideal?

Best regards,
Daniel

Over which dimension do you want to create the slope? For the 3m (10 feet) length, I would apply it only on the surface. Then the surface would simply start 6cm (2.4 inches) above the edges of the L-shaped blocks.
For the 6m (20 feet) length with a 12cm (4.7 inches) difference, I would step the L-shaped blocks down. Either lower each one by 2cm (0.8 inches) individually, or do it in pairs with larger steps.

The terrace is 3.5 meters (11.5 feet) deep and 6 meters (19.7 feet) wide. The slope would therefore run over the 3.5 meters (11.5 feet).

Creating the slope only in the surface layer is certainly an option. Depending on the design, as you mentioned, it would then be 6 centimeters (2.4 inches) above or below the edge of the L-shaped stone. I don't think that would look very appealing and might also pose a tripping hazard.

But there must be a railing anyway if there is a 1m (3.3 ft) drop behind it. In this case, it might be possible to conceal it with some kind of threshold at the railing. In any case, this means there is no tripping hazard.

HerrBach schrieb:

The terrace is 3.5 meters (11.5 feet) deep and 6 meters (20 feet) wide. So the slope would run over the 3.5 meters (11.5 feet).

Creating the slope only in the surface layer is certainly an option. Depending on the design, as you mentioned, the surface would then be about 6 centimeters (2.4 inches) above or below the L-shaped stone edge. I don’t find that visually appealing and would consider it more of a tripping hazard.

Do you want to keep the L-shaped stones visible? I would suggest, if there is enough space, to slope the soil outside gradually and create a nice rock garden or several stone steps with plants. That way, you can disguise the height difference (with ground cover plants) and you wouldn’t need a railing (which I wouldn’t install anyway at 80 centimeters (31.5 inches)).

I think that’s a good idea, @motorradsilke.
If it’s 80cm (31.5 inches) straight down, you usually have to do that. Well, the question is whether anyone will actually check. But for me and my family, I would also have to do it out of self-interest; otherwise, I would need to take out additional accident insurance...