ᐅ Terrace Planning for an End-Row House with a Large Garden – What to Consider?

Hello everyone,

we are now moving on to the outdoor area. We have an end-terrace house with a relatively large garden but a small budget. Still, we want to build a large, beautiful terrace.

We have contacted various craftsmen, gardeners, and companies with offers ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 (or equivalent), so all kinds of quotes.

I need some ideas now:

Below is the sketch: The main point is that I definitely want two terraces: one main terrace along the house in the front, 28m² (301 sq ft), and a smaller one on the side, 12m² (129 sq ft). Now I want to connect the terraces, and I have heard different opinions on this. Some recommend offsetting the terrace stones as a pathway, etc. I have actually decided to close off the corner, meaning to expand the main terrace on the side, creating a corner terrace. Sometimes I worry that it might not look good and I’m unsure. We have a large family; I want large tables with chairs, swings, and more solid surface, but without overdoing it. Also, I don’t want to have to take care of a huge garden, so that would be practical for me. The neighbor was not allowed to build wider or bigger due to property division rules limiting the sealed area, but for Jens, that should not be a problem.

Now my question to you:
How would you plan the terrace? The bigger it is, the more expensive it will be.
What kind of slabs do you have, what material and installation method? I have quotes for 2cm (3/4 inch) slabs set in concrete or 4cm (1 1/2 inch) slabs on a gravel/sand base. I want large slabs.
I would like light-colored slabs with anthracite edging. Regarding roofing, I’m not sure if I’m allowed to build 7m (23 ft) wide and whether I can exceed the building limit line. I would like about 7 by 4m (23 by 13 ft)... but that would be 1m (3 ft) over the building limit. On the side, I have already enlarged the living space with a bay window under a special permit; I don’t know if I can add a roof there too. Now I need advice, ideas, tips—I’m a bit lost about what to consider, etc.

I’m also happy to hear about your experiences with terraces, what mistakes you made, what worked well, what you would do differently. Especially, what did your terraces cost.

Thank you

Do I understand correctly that the first terrace is already 7 x 4m (23 x 13 feet), so 28 m² (300 ft²), and the second one is another 12 m² (130 ft²)?

Arauki11 schrieb:

Am I correct in understanding that one terrace is already 7x4m, so 28m² (301 sq ft), and the second one is another 12m² (129 sq ft)?

Yes. My neighbor has a 6 by 3m (20 by 10 ft) terrace, which I find much too small, so I want the large terrace, 7 by 4m (23 by 13 ft), that is 28m² (301 sq ft).

I once had a 28 sqm (300 sq ft) terrace where we never actually sat; we always used the smaller one instead. Even considering the size of your house, I would still consider 28 sqm (300 sq ft) much too large, and I find it hard to believe someone would design that for €5,000; plus the additional 12 sqm (130 sq ft).

I also like a generous amount of space, but 28 sqm (300 sq ft) is bigger than most dining rooms, and even with some room around it, it would feel too large to me. About 40% of that area would probably never be used.

What do you plan to do with the 12 sqm (130 sq ft) secondary terrace? Wouldn’t a simpler construction suffice there? For example, stone slabs laid directly on a gravel bed without a heavy substructure, or wooden boards loosely placed on paving stones, could work well for a small terrace used for quick coffee breaks.

Since you want to keep costs low, I see your current plans going in the opposite direction. Equally important, or even more so, would be the question of shading...

Bauherrin123 schrieb:

How would you plan the terrace? The bigger it is, the more expensive it gets.

Make sure there is enough space for everyone who might want to sit.
And don’t just think of “one terrace” if the plot allows more. There are different seasons, temperature and lighting conditions, etc.

Bauherrin123 schrieb:

What kind of slabs do you have, what material and installation method? I received quotes for 2cm (0.8 inch) slabs to be set in concrete or 4cm (1.6 inch) slabs on gravel. I would like large slabs.

For the large balcony terrace, we have larch wood. That is used mainly.
A small terrace by the kitchen door has small cobblestones. We rarely sit there but like the look with a bistro table and use it regularly for gardening tasks.
A terrace under the balcony terrace was built with bankirai wood. This serves as a kind of spa area.
Another terrace by the exit from the sleeping area is covered with gravel. It faces north and stays pleasantly cool in summer, close to the trees.
In our terraced house, we had a very simple terrace made from 10-20-8 concrete pavers and it worked well. However, in summer the stones intensified the heat effect, so I wouldn’t choose stone for a terrace exposed to direct sunlight anymore.
Choose the material you like; there are many really good options. If you want large slabs, that works well if you have someone who can install them very precisely. I’ve seen plenty of examples of poor workmanship here.

Bauherrin123 schrieb:

I would like 7 by 4 meters (23 by 13 feet)... but that would be 1 meter (3 feet) beyond the building boundary. On the side, I already expanded the living space with a bay window by special permit, but I don’t know if I can also build a roof over it.

If you get approval for this, keep in mind that the roof might significantly reduce the natural light for the adjacent rooms inside the house.

Bauherrin123 schrieb:

Now I need advice, ideas, tips—I’m a bit lost on what all to consider, etc.

Make a list of everything you want to fit in there: what outdoor furniture, possibly a cabinet, sideboard, outdoor kitchen, grill, plant pots, paddling pool… Not everything has to go in at once, but it’s better to have a shortlist than to forget something important.
Materials differ in durability, slip resistance, cleaning effort, etc. Don’t aim for the absolute best in every category, but consciously choose what you like best. If I have something very beautiful, it can mean more maintenance for me. Other forum members might see that differently.
Different materials absorb and store heat differently. A stone terrace gets much hotter than, for example, a wooden terrace, and will continue radiating heat for hours after the sun sets. I find the microclimate important.
Remember that when it rains, the water will run off somewhere and consider where it should go. Different materials and construction methods offer various solutions with different cost implications.
We enjoy having an infrared heater installed in a covered area for the transitional seasons.

Bauherrin123 schrieb:

Now we are moving on to the outdoor area.

Please link your main thread.

Bauherrin123 schrieb:

I want large tables with chairs, swings, etc., and more solid surface area.

Just put the swings normally on the lawn, and then a smaller patio will be sufficient.

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